Mauricio Pochettino and the Tottenham Hotspur Squad's Christmas Wishlist
Unbelievably, we are already only a couple of games short of the halfway point of the 2016-17 Premier League season.
Tottenham Hotspur are in a situation where they are better off points-wise than a year ago but also facing a more daunting challenge establishing themselves firmly in the title hunt—London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal among those looking in good shape
By the time they reach the close of the Christmas period, they and we should have a better idea of how their prospects are looking.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino and his squad will be doing their utmost to ensure they are favourable. In the meantime, few fans would begrudge them some festive cheer...well, depending how they get on in their final pre-Christmas Day fixture against Burnley anyway.
Now, Bleacher Report has not seen the Tottenham players' individual wishlists for Santa Claus (or perhaps they all do Secret Santa for each other), but the following suggestions would probably go down well if delivered on.
Some are bit more manageable than others here that are going to have to be belatedly fulfilled in the new year, if at all. But what else do footballers who can afford most things ask for?
With less than a week's shopping left to the big day, here are a few ideas for the Spurs team. Feel free to offer your suggestions for these and other players in the comments selection below.
Dele Alli and Eric Dier: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
Dele Alli and Eric Dier's friendship, bromance or whatever you want to call it, has been a popular side story to Tottenham's on-pitch exploits. The club have certainly capitalised on it with frequent videos involving the two on social media and YouTube.
It is not all quizzes and Mario Kart races, though. There is a dark streak to their banter and friendly rivalry, as demonstrated by Dier's cheeky clip of Alli's head as the latter was interviewed following Spurs' win over CSKA Moscow (see video above).
"He's going to regret that," Alli remarked after, ideas of revenge clearly already brewing in his mind.
By now it may well have been acted upon. The oneupmanship could be escalating as we speak, affecting innocent bystanders, too.
The Christmas season is about goodwill to all men, but you cannot change nature.
With that in mind, the ideal gift for these two is surely the classic game Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. This competitive tension valve will allow them to let off some aggression in a fun, controlled way, largely keeping the peace.
As for what these two will be getting each other, do not be surprised if Dier gets acting lessons for Alli after the midfielder's blatant dive against Swansea City, fooling no-one except referee Jonathan Moss (to be fair, he also expressed interest in an acting career in a recent Soccer AM interview). For Dier himself, Alli could get him some mittens and a nicely woolly hat for the bench-warming the utility man may be set to do depending on Pochettino's tactical whims.
Danny Rose and Kyle Walker: Running spikes
"You can see that they get a lot more freedom when we play with the five like we did tonight," Jan Vertonghen told Tottenham's official website after the use of Danny Rose and Kyle Walker as wing-backs in a loose 3-4-3 for the win over Hull City.
"Danny and Kyle know that there are three guys at the back—me, Toby [Alderweireld] and Eric Dier today—and I think that helps them to get forward."
Pochettino was also pleased with how things worked out, telling the club site: "We only change some positions on the pitch but in the end the team always shows the same principles and mentality on the pitch."
Rose and Walker already cover a lot of ground in their full-back roles. But doing the potentially even more demanding job of wing-backs, well, they may need some athletics-style running spikes for Christmas to replace their football boots.
We will find out soon enough if Pochettino intends to use the system more frequently. After the wide men both recorded assists in the win, he could be tempted to do so.
Vincent Janssen: New shooting boots
Pochettino's aforementioned comments came ahead of Tottenham's hosting of Burnley. Also on the agenda was an update on the fitness of striker Vincent Janssen.
"Vincent is improving a lot and we will see tomorrow if he's available or not," Pochettino said of the Dutchman who has been out with an ankle injury, per the club website. "He's trained with the group for the last few days and we'll see now if he's in condition to play."
A pre-Christmas return to availability will be a nice boost for Janssen, enduring a tough first season in English football. The forward has charmed with his work ethic and hard-running style but has scored only three times in 20 appearances, once in the Premier League and twice in the EFL Cup.
It has not been totally on him. He lacked sufficient service at times while Pochettino also failed to capitalise on his international form with the Netherlands back in October, dropping him for a suitable game away at Bournemouth.
Still, Janssen, a prolific scorer with AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie last season, will know he can improve finishing that has been erratic at times. Finding some new shooting boots under the Christmas tree would not go amiss.
Harry Kane: Golf and spa break
Harry Kane unsurprisingly features prominently in Tottenham's seasonal social media videos, including making the above phone call to a surprised fan. The star striker's beloved status at White Hart Lane has only been underlined by his good form since returning from injury.
Even with his considerable stamina, Kane could probably do with a game or two off to recharge the batteries. With his partner expecting their first child, he is going to need all the rest he can get, too.
Given his importance to the team and his love for playing, that is unlikely to occur any time over Christmas.
Perhaps an early present in the form of a nice spa and golf break may be just what Kane needs. A bit of pampering and a relaxing stroll round the course could have him fully fit and firing for the trip to Southampton on the 28th.
Assorted Tottenham Fringe Players and Youngsters: An FA Cup run
Kane may well be rested for Tottenham's FA Cup third-round match with Championship side Aston Villa on January 8. Others in the squad will be relying on it for some much-needed playing time.
The likes of goalkeeper Michel Vorm, defender Kevin Wimmer and midfielder Tom Carroll would certainly welcome a Christmas Day confirmation from Pochettino they will be starting the game.
While Wimmer has seen some action during Alderweireld's recent injury layoff, neither Vorm nor Carroll has featured since the EFL Cup defeat to Liverpool. With opportunities limited, an FA Cup run and some favourable draws against lower-league opposition are going to be their best hopes of playing (without wishing for injuries and suspensions to team-mates anyway).
Academy prospects such as centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, skilful attacker Marcus Edwards and striker Shayon Harrison will also be hoping for the chance to showcase their abilities here, too.
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen: World Championship Darts tickets
Alderweireld and Vertonghen recently teamed up against Rose and Vorm in a six-darts challenge posted by Tottenham (video above).
Officiated by the recognisable voice of referee Russ Bray and with commentary by former professional player Rod Harrington, Rose and Vorm's performances showed they are a million miles from the level of compatriot world champions like Phil "The Power" Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Spurs' Belgian centre-back pair did not even have to use their second round to beat their hapless team-mates. Their reward was a nice trophy, but some tickets for the ongoing PDC World Championships at another famous north London venue in Alexandra Palace would have really made the victory worthwhile.
Mauricio Pochettino: A win at former club Southampton
Tottenham boss Pochettino has never come across as someone too bothered about most aspects of Christmas. Football is just about all-consuming for him anyway.
Still, if he had to ask for something, he would likely take three points away at his old club Southampton in the televised fixture a few days after Christmas.
Naturally, he will want Spurs victories throughout the period. However, failure to win at St Mary's would probably kill off his holiday spirit right there and then.
His players will be desperate to ensure they perform then or they may end up facing even more time on the training ground.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!
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