Tottenham: Player-by-Player Guide to Their 2013-14 Premier League Squad

With their newest campaign kicking off Sunday at Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur enter this season with great expectations.

After a solitary point separated them from Arsenal each of the past two seasons, Spurs will hope that this is the season they can finally turn around the recently one-sided North London rivalry.

Meanwhile, Tottenham will also seek their first Champions League qualification in three years after finishing one spot short each time—and hope for a deep cup run to put the cherry on top of a successful season.

The club's transfer activity this summer could be the key to achieving these goals, after they cut ties with the players surplus to their needs and added a few potentially valuable assets.

They will hope that each player does his part for the cause by contributing what is expected from him.

So just what are the expectations on each player heading into the season? And what is the biggest question facing each?

Here is a player-by-player guide to Tottenham's 2013-14 Premier League squad.

1. Heurelho Gomes

Over the past few seasons, Heurelho Gomes has experienced quite a fall from grace at White Hart Lane.

The Brazilian was the starting keeper for Spurs in their storied 2010-11 Champions League campaign, yet hasn't appeared in a Premier League match in either of the two seasons since.

With starter Hugo Lloris and the aging Brad Friedel in front of him in the pecking order, it's tough to see him finding much time this season either.

What is expected: Not too much is expected, except for him to be prepared in case of emergency.

Biggest question: Will he see a minute of time this season?

3. Danny Rose

After a season-long loan at Sunderland, 23-year-old Danny Rose returns to Tottenham with his sights set on the starting left-back position.

With Benoit Assou-Ekotto's inconsistent play still lingering in many Spurs supporters' minds, there is a strong contingent hoping to see Rose assume that starting role at some point this season.

If he can do this and thrive while doing so, Tottenham could have a fixture at full-back for years to come.

What is expected: Get some starts under his belt, gain some much-needed experience, add some tools to his game and establish himself as a starter for the future.

Biggest question: When, if at all, will Rose become the first-choice starter this season?

4. Younes Kaboul

Younes Kaboul played just one match for Tottenham last season, suffering a campaign-ending injury in the first league match.

With his injury woes now behind him, Kaboul will hope to regain his starting center-back position this season and pick up where he left off.

What is expected: Put in some good minutes, fill in and provide depth at center-back, and perhaps make a push back to the starting lineup.

Biggest question: What form will Kaboul be in after his return from a terrible injury?

5. Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen ended up being one of the club's best signings last summer, immediately establishing himself as an integral part of the club's defense and an incredibly versatile asset.

However, a preseason injury has some worried about the Belgian's fitness heading into the season.

What is expected: Start nearly every Premier League match, anchor the defense, play on the left as needed and put in the odd goal.

Biggest question: How bad was that injury in preseason, and will it affect Vertonghen's play?

7. Aaron Lennon

After seasons of injury troubles, Aaron Lennon was able to start nearly all of Tottenham's Premier League matches last year.

At times, the winger contributed quite well to the club's cause, using his pace to influence matches.

However, he was inconsistent, sometimes struggling to find a foothold and contributing next to nothing.

The club's subsequent signing of winger Nacer Chadli this summer makes Lennon's starting position somewhat tenuous.

However, Lennon's potential contributions to the club should not be overlooked.

What is expected: Start regularly through at least the first half of the season, use his pace to change matches and accept any role given to him.

Biggest question: How long will Lennon be the starter on the wing?

9. Roberto Soldado

Roberto Soldado's move to Tottenham from Valencia is one of the more exciting signings in Spurs' recent history.

The North London club have lacked a competent striker over the past few seasons, a problem that spans back to their sale of Dimitar Berbatov in 2009.

Given Soldado's fantastic play in La Liga over the past three seasons, the hope is that the Spaniard will finally fill that void.

What is expected: Start nearly every match, score more goals than all of Tottenham's strikers managed last season and take pressure off of the rest of the squad.

Biggest question: Will there be an adjustment period to the Premier League?

10. Emmanuel Adebayor

Last season was a debacle for Emmanuel Adebayor.

The big Togolese striker scored just five goals in 24 Premier League appearances, sometimes looked lazy and uninterested, picked up a ridiculous and crucial red card in a North London derby and hit an atrocious penalty in the Europa League.

The signing of Roberto Soldado says a lot about the club's confidence in Adebayor.

What is expected: Provide depth at striker, come off the bench when needed and use his height to deliver a change of pace and net at least a few goals.

Biggest question: Will Adebayor even be around through the end of the season?

11. Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has been the story of the summer transfer window, as Real Madrid have reportedly been actively pursuing the winger's signature with some world-record bids.

At 24 years old, Bale is certainly worth the trouble, as the Welshman's game is blossoming.

He carried Spurs through periods of last season, contributing with numerous goals of the highest standard on his path to the PFA Player of the Year award.

What is expected: More of the same.

Biggest question: For how much longer can Spurs expect to see Bale at White Hart Lane?

15. Paulinho

Tottenham's record transfer (well, for a month at least) for Paulinho makes the midfielder one of the most highly-anticipated signings in the Premier League.

The Brazilian fills a creative void in the squad and should fit right into the starting lineup.

What is expected: Lead the side in assists, establish himself as a key starter at White Hart Lane.

Biggest question: How well will he slot into the team and into the Premier League?

16. Kyle Naughton

Kyle Naughton served as the backup full-back through all of last season, providing depth for both sides of the defense as needed.

At times, the young Englishman filled in admirably for Assou-Ekotto on the left, but his play was understandably below par.

Naughton will hope to find more time on his preferred right flank this season.

What is expected: Keep filling in when needed, provide depth on the right and put pressure on Kyle Walker.

Biggest question: Will he accept his bench role or look for a move in January?

18. Jermain Defoe

After starting last season on fire, Jermain Defoe's production quickly diminished.

In the end, the striker put in a pedestrian 11 goals, a pittance for a top striker on a fifth-placed side.

While there are some excuses for Defoe's low output (i.e. injuries), he also showed some weaknesses in his game, failing to track back and becoming a non-factor in matches with tougher opponents.

What is expected: Contribute off the bench and produce in the odd start, especially in cup ties.

Biggest question: Will he be effective with less playing time and coming in behind Soldado?

19. Mousa Dembele

Mousa Dembele's first season at Tottenham went quite well, with the Belgian providing great creativity and holding in the midfield.

However, Dembele also missed some time due to injury, which is a concern to a side quickly losing depth at the position.

Let's hope the midfielder can be more consistent this season.

What is expected: Start over 30 matches, provide a holding presence in the midfield and improve in the final third.

Biggest question: Can he stay fit for a full season?

20. Michael Dawson

Michael Dawson may be Tottenham's captain, but that does not mean that he is a shoo-in for a starting position in the lineup.

The return of Kaboul from injury means that Dawson has some stiff competition at center-back.

After Dawson almost left the club due to lack of playing time at the start of last season, one has to wonder what the future has in store for him.

What is expected: Provide leadership on and off the pitch, play a good amount of matches and help the club with depth as needed.

Biggest question: Will Dawson be the odd-man-out when Kaboul and Vertonghen are fit?

21. Nacer Chadli

As Tottenham's newest signing, Nacer Chadli is a hot young prospect at White Hart Lane.

The winger has shown flashes of brilliance at Twente and is just beginning to hit his prime at 24 years old.

Chadli has the goals and the pace to provide Spurs with an amazing second option down the wings.

What is expected: Provide depth on the wings, push for a starting job, light a fire under Aaron Lennon, score five goals, create a place for the future.

Biggest question: When will he take over a starting position?

22. Gylfi Sigurdsson

Gylfi Sigurdsson's first season at Tottenham was not the smoothest.

The Icelander struggled at first to adjust to his new surroundings and quickly fell from the starting lineup.

While Sigurdsson's performances did improve throughout the season, one has to wonder how far down the pecking order he is—and whether he is content with a bench role.

What is expected: Provide depth for the midfield and score a handful of goals off the bench.

Biggest question: How will Sigurdsson fit into Andre Villas-Boas' tactical shifts?

23. Lewis Holtby

Tottenham's signing of Lewis Holtby from Schalke for just £1 million in January was quite the steal.

Right from the off, the young German showed positive signs, playing quite well and earning a few starts.

However, it is tough to see the 23-year-old beginning the season in the starting XI, especially with Paulinho's signing and Sandro's return from injury.

What is expected: Be the first midfield option off the bench, use versatility around the park, work towards a starting role and build towards the future.

Biggest question: How much starting time will Holtby see?

24. Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel continues to defy Father Time, playing strong into the age of 42.

The American might have lost his starting role to Hugo Lloris, but he put in some strong performances in the Europa League and seems content with his role in the club.

What is expected: Be prepared to perform if needed, keep playing well in cup ties.

Biggest question: When will Friedel's skills finally start regressing?

25. Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris put in quite a fine debut season at Tottenham, establishing himself as one of the stronger Premier League goalkeepers.

The France captain will hope to further cement this status and continue to improve.

What is expected: Avoid lengthy layoffs, concede fewer goals than last season.

Biggest question: Will he play cup matches as well this season?

28. Kyle Walker

Walker's second season as a starter at Tottenham saw some regression for the full-back.

Some inconsistent play left some less-than-confident in the right-back, wondering whether the club should look for a possible replacement.

Walker will almost certainly get another chance this season, as he still showed flashes of great things last year.

What is expected: Play a majority of matches, improve defensively, cross a bit more effectively.

Biggest question: Can Walker get to his top form with lesser competition vying for his spot?

30. Sandro

The injury that sidelined Sandro for the better part of the second half of last season was a turning point for Tottenham.

The Brazilian had established himself as an anchor in the midfield, effectively holding the ball up and providing a bridge between defense and attack.

When he was injured, Spurs struggled to adjust and were lucky to be bailed out (pun intended), time and time again, by one player.

Sandro's return should be seen as glorious news around White Hart Lane.

What is expected: Play nearly every match, do exactly what he did in the first half of last season.

Biggest question: How will Sandro fare on his return from injury?

31. Andros Townsend

A January loan to QPR put Andros Townsend on a sinking ship last season.

However, the winger was able to defy the odds and shone as one of the relegated club's only bright spots.

With Spurs' great options on the wings, though, the 22-year-old Townsend might find it difficult to get a match in this season, just as he did at the start of last season.

What is expected: Provide depth on the wings, play up to standard when needed and put in a handful of goals.

Biggest question: Can Townsend find a way to put himself into the mix for a starting position?

32. Benoit Assou-Ekotto

Assou-Ekotto's inconsistent play last season has left him in the unfamiliar position of competing for his spot in the starting lineup.

With Rose returning from a successful loan spell, Assou-Ekotto's hold on the left-back position is as tenuous as it ever has been over the past few years.

However, the Cameroonian will probably start the season as the first-choice full-back.

What is expected: Start a majority of matches, play effectively, stay injury-free and provide depth as needed.

Biggest question: How will the eccentric Assou-Ekotto respond to competition?

46. Tom Carroll

Tom Carroll showed some great signs in the few matches he played for Tottenham last season.

The young midfielder did not seem to be overwhelmed by the situation and was able to provide a creative spark that the club lacked to that point.

However, with the influx of midfielders at the club now, the 21-year-old Carroll might be surplus to requirements at the moment.

What is expected: Get some experience in cup ties, learn from those starting.

Biggest question: Will a loan deal be struck for Carroll before the end of the transfer window?

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