Tottenham may be watching their window close
By Marcel Dumas
With the potential for personnel losses, and with both Manchester clubs splashing the cash, the window for this Tottenham squad may be closing. If it comes to pass, it will be unfortunate as they have provided fans with some great football along the way.
The last few seasons have seen Tottenham move up the food chain in the Premier League. For a fan base who have been starved of silverware, this team has provided some much-needed hope. Unfortunately, the window for this squad to deliver on its enormous promise may be closing.
Mauricio Pochettino has pulled the strings behind an enjoyable team to watch. His tactics have allowed for his players to utilize their individual skill sets within the system. This has allowed Tottenham to go from perennial Europa League participant to being a top four club. A second place finish last year was preceded by a third place showing in 2015-2016. With a chance to finish second in the Premier League still within reach, Spurs have seen their stock rise.
On the European front, Spurs showed their mettle against Dortmund and Real Madrid. A lapse in their second leg match against Juventus was enough to show them the competition door. Even with the disappointment still fresh, their performances provided a look at what they are capable of.
While Pochettino is a big reason behind those successes, the players deserve their share of credit. Harry Kane has been the most dominant scorer in England over the past few seasons. The midfield boasts a wealth of talent in Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Dembele and Eric Dier. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen form the core of a solid backline that shields French number one Hugo Lloris in net. The talent is overwhelming with much of it just entering or still growing towards their prime.
Along with their talent, Tottenham get the advantages of moving into a new stadium for the beginning of next season. On the surface, the team looks to be built for a long competitive run. Unfortunately, this is where the story could turn a different direction.
Rising costs on their stadium project could inhibit Tottenham in not only the transfer market, but in wage increases for current players. This may be the biggest key to their immediate future. A restriction on funds may increase the chance of the transfer of key players.
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Alli is a case of a young talent that has caught the attention of several admirers. Eriksen and Dier are midfielders whose names are no strangers to the rumor pages as well. On the backline, Vertonghen has also seen his name make the rounds.
It is hard to find a time when there are not transfer rumors surrounding Kane. Real Madrid has had the most ink on being interested in his services. A good World Cup showing (assuming he recovers from injury) for the 24-year-old could see him pursued by other big clubs.
The bottom line is that Spurs will have a difficult time in holding their pieces together for much longer. If Pochettino is convinced to move to a different challenge, the exodus of current squad members could come even sooner.
If some of their players make big money moves, Tottenham can try to keep their current status through intelligent buys of their own. It is always difficult to project how any player will fit with a club until they have become integrated into the system. With that, there is the risk of the unknown from new players no matter how much talent they have.
With the potential for personnel losses, and with both Manchester clubs splashing the cash, the window for this Tottenham squad may be closing. If it comes to pass, it will be unfortunate as they have provided fans with some great football along the way.