4 Pressing January Transfer Moves Tottenham Need to Make
Prior to the Brighton & Hove Albion match, Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino was asked about his club's January transfer window plans.
"Its not the moment to start to talk about future in January," he told reporters at the press conference. "Its two months ahead. We need to fix, we need to improve in different areas of the squad and the team. We are focused in that moment to improve our team."
The sentiment of getting things right with the current players will not have altered dramatically. Tottenham's continued inconsistent form might have made preparing for possible changes in January a tad more urgent, however.
The following article looks at four pressing transfer windows moves Tottenham need to make.
Naturally, there is scope for things to have changed by the new year. The likelihood is several of these will still by then be of concern to Pochettino, and the key personnel in the club hierarchy—chiefly technical director Franco Baldini and chairman Daniel Levy.
First up, the need to examine Spurs' forward options.
Above press conference quote obtained firsthand.
Decide the Direction of the Tottenham Attack
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The emergence of Harry Kane has tempered talk of Tottenham needing a new striker, to an extent.
Pochettino often only plays one out-and-out striker. Kane, who has scored 10 goals already this season, possibly grabbing that place would mean there is less game time for someone else anyway.
Kane's performances have undoubtedly been encouraging in regards to his long-term prospects. Expecting the 21-year-old to carry a large part of the goalscoring burden at this fledgling stage would nonetheless be asking a lot.
Moving towards January, Tottenham have to decide whether they still retain enough faith in Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado to help Kane with this load.
The more experienced pair have four goals between them this term. Other factors out of their control (their place in Pochettino's system, service from team-mates among them) have influenced their comparative lack of production. Even so, the point may soon come in which Spurs conclude they cannot wait on them both to get it right.
The issue then quickly expands to who should be brought in to help upfront. Or just as pertinently, who can they find?
Top-quality strikers who are available and/or willing to transfer are not at a premium right now. Spurs thought they had found a dead cert in Soldado—one of La Liga's best frontmen prior to his move to England—but it has not proved as simple as that.
If Spurs are in even more desperate need of goals by January, they may just have to brave it and take another chance on someone else.
Who Stays and Who Goes in Central Defence?
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Pochettino's preference for a central defensive pair—if he has one—has not been established yet.
The head coach has mixed-and-match his options to the point that it now has become counterproductive. It has also contributed to a situation in which the future of a couple of these centre-backs especially is questionable.
Vlad Chiriches has not played since the beginning of October. Unsurprisingly, his prospects at Tottenham look the bleakest. The Mail Online's Simon Jones has linked him with a move to Inter Milan.
Jan Vertonghen has been in and out of the team over the last couple of months.
It might be as simple as Pochettino believing in the merits of rotation. Still, the Belgium international being dropped from league games might prove a source of frustration given neither Federico Fazio nor Younes Kaboul have excelled in his absence.
Eric Dier's presence also adds intrigue to Pochettino's plans here.
Numbers-wise, Spurs are fine at centre-back, but the questionable form of these players (save for Dier who has mostly played at right-back) and each man's desire to play could combine to force a change soon.
Like upfront, it could be argued Spurs need to make that move or risk suffering for it.
Bring in More Leadership
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"Mackay at 80: "He was one of the biggest reasons why we were so successful" - Cliff Jones - http://t.co/F1AwNWqsLl pic.twitter.com/D71hA2MtCz
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 14, 2014"
The date this article is published on coincides with Dave Mackay's 80th birthday. The Scotsman is one of Tottenham's greatest-ever players, one whose leadership was pivotal in the successes of the 1960s.
"When people ask me about the double team I always say that the most influential player I ever played with was Dave Mackay," his former team-mate Cliff Jones told Tottenham's official website.
Memories and stories of Mackay will almost certainly make the lack of players making themselves counted in the current crop all the more galling for supporters.
The work rate of academy products like Kane, Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend has definitely caught the eye. Others, such as Hugo Lloris and Benjamin Stambouli, have shown degrees of character and personality that have contributed to more positive moments for Spurs, too.
Mostly, though, Spurs have too often looked listless and directionless this season. Players who provided both qualities were already lacking at the club. The departures of Michael Dawson and Sandro in the summer have lessened those numbers even more.
Leadership is a tricky thing to define and subsequently will not easily be found elsewhere. But Spurs need one or two more who can instruct and help implement what Pochettino wants from his team on the pitch, where his influence ends.
Current Spurs skipper Kaboul embodies the current problem. The Frenchman is clearly trying and can often be seen cajoling his team-mates, while he has taken the lead in areas like dealing with match officials in contentious moments, too.
The continued disorganisation and ill discipline of the Tottenham defence is evidence things are not working well enough, though. The club needs more here and throughout the side.
Expedite the Yedlin Transfer
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The Daily Mirror's Tom Hopkinson reported last week that DeAndre Yedlin could arrive in January after he qualified for "EU documentation through his grandmother and, once it has been delivered, he will be free to join up with his new club."
It had previously been agreed the Seattle Sounders defender would join ahead of next season. Yet, if Tottenham have the chance to expedite the move, they should do so.
"Spurs are desperate for some pace and excitement out wide and, regardless of his defensive qualities, Yedlin is sure to inject some dynamism," wrote Bleacher Report's Sam Rooke in his Tottenham transfer tracker.
As he indicates, Spurs will not be getting the finished product in Yedlin when he arrives. However, the 21-year-old is indeed an exciting performer, one who—as he has shown for Seattle and the United States national team—could add some positivity to his new club's squad.
Yedlin already has some experience of training at his new club's Hotspur Way training complex, too. This week, he has been there with his national team, of course coached by former Spur Jurgen Klinsmann:
""He's a legend. He's elevated my game" - @yedlinny talks Klinsmann in our free video - http://t.co/kpYT66VjKK pic.twitter.com/DN85XyQ2KH
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 13, 2014"
Even just a minor boost could benefit Tottenham heading into the final few months of the season. All the better if, in the process, it gives a player they have high hopes for a head start.
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