Tottenham Are Looking Rather Tasty

As the '08-'09 season looms ever closer, for the first time in many years there are several teams outside of the "Big Four" that have a chance of bagging a Champions League place for '09-'10. The most notable of these is Tottenham Hotspur, who have exemplified English footballing success in the past but have struggled in recent years.

Having been brought up by a 'Spurs fan, I have heard many a tale about the glory days of Jimmy Greaves (who also played for Chelsea), Ossie Ardilles, and Ricky Villa. Tottenham were the first English team to win a major European trophy and are the only team to have been promoted to the top division in one season and then go on to win it the next year.

However nice it is to have that history, Tottenham fans are sick of living in the past and have watched countless squads of very talented players be outclassed by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal—with Chelsea piling into that mix relatively recently.

They may have won the Carling Cup last year against a Chelsea side that didn't turn up, but that is nothing compared to their past glories.

In Juande Ramos, Tottenham may have finally found the man they need to whip a talented team into shape. He's already effected a regime change on the training ground as well as bringing in a new diet for the whole squad. Everyone has lost weight and picked up a bit of pace.

Preseason games mean nothing when it comes down to it, but the performances put in by Tottenham during the close-season have been impressive and are bound to boost the confidence of many players—especially Darren Bent.

A lot was made of his transfer to White Hart Lane last year, but he failed to impress in his first season. However, having scored nine goals in four games in preseason, he should be brimming with confidence as Aug. 16 approaches.

David Bentley was another good buy. A right-footed midfielder, he can bend it better than Beckham and is always a threat down the wing. He was immense for Blackburn Rovers and now that he is playing for his boyhood team he will be even more motivated to win.

If they can hang on to Dimitar Berbatov, Tottenham will have it made. Aaron Lennon is deadly with his pace and Michael Dawson appears to have stopped flinching every time the ball comes near him, which is useful for a centre-back.

The only two causes for concern are a weakened strike force, with the loss of Jermaine Defoe to Portsmouth in January and the recent sale of Robbie Keane to Liverpool, and the continuing injury problems of captain Ledley King.

King is a rock at the back and when he plays, the team appear to be far more explosive going forward, knowing he is there to pick up the pieces at the back. However, the last few years have seen him plagued with injury after injury and I don't see a way back for him.

Choices for a new captain are limited, as there are few players in the Tottenham squad with the authority to control a game. But if Jonathon Woodgate can control his temper a little bit he could become a great leader.

As far as strikers go, the will they/won't they saga involving Andrei Arshavin seems to have cooled, which is a shame as the diminutive Russian really impressed at Euro 2008 and would be a good pairing for Dimitar Berbatov. The transfer window is open until Aug. 31 so there's still time to get your wallet out, Mr. Levy.

We'll find out in a few weeks if I'm right, but I reckon Tottenham will definitely be mixing it with the big boys this year. It's been a long time coming.