An Ideal Summer Transfer Wishlist for Tottenham Hotspur
The January transfer window has only just shut and plenty of football is still to be played before the 2014-15 season follows suit. Like most clubs around, though, Tottenham Hotspur will already have started planning their summer dealings.
"Dele has joined us on a five-and-a-half year contract until 2020 and has now been loaned back to MK Dons for the remainder of the campaign.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2015"
The agreement for the delayed arrival of Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Dele Alli got them a jump-start. Between head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the various pertinent decision-makers within the club hierarchy (including head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, who followed the Argentinian from Southampton in November), they will be figuring out the next items on their wishlist.
Over the following pages, Bleacher Report takes a crack at identifying what might, and perhaps should be on it.
A few potential targets will be mentioned, but the greater focus is the specific areas in the Tottenham squad where changes could be forthcoming.
First up, Spurs' plan of attack.
Build a Suitable Attack Around Harry Kane
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You might have noticed, but Harry Kane is being talked about quite a bit these days.
On Tuesday night, he notched his 23rd goal of the season in Tottenham's 3-2 loss to Liverpool. Three days earlier, his 21st and 22nd in their north London derby win ensured his growing reputation was enhanced even further.
Former Spurs midfielder and television pundit Danny Murphy told Match of the Day, per BBC Sport, that not only was he worthy of an England call-up, but that manager Roy Hodgson should "build the team around him."
That assessment is a tad presumptuous, but it is testament to the intensification of Kane's progress this season he is being spoken about in such glowing terms.
The 21-year-old has plenty to do before he is the main man in the England attack, but his recent performances have established him as the clear focus of Spurs' front line.
Fellow forwards Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado's playing time has subsequently diminished. It is possible one might still be around next season, but both staying is unlikely. The question, then, is just who will be around to team up with and compete with Kane?
"Spurs lead the chase for £25m rated Saido Berahino (by @iLShep) http://t.co/Xj0DJJfFav#THFC#WBA
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 8, 2015"
The most intriguing and perhaps tantalising prospect mooted so far is West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino. Along with Kane, Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Danny Ings (also mentioned recently by the above publication as a possible Spurs target), he is one of a crop of young English strikers enjoying a bountiful current campaign.
He would not come cheap from West Brom if they decide to sell. But money received for Adebayor and/or Soldado would help cover the kind of fee being touted by Mail Online's Rob Shepherd (above).
Quick, confident and an astute creator of goalscoring opportunities for himself (which he has finished 14 of this season), Berahino could work either as a partner for Kane or in a supporting role in the 4-2-3-1 formation Spurs generally adhere to.
He is not the finished product but is already playing at a high level. It would be easy to understand why Spurs would be interested in seeing where the England under-21 team-mates could go together.
Settle 'Ongoing' Solicitations of Saints Stars
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"Tottenham are making a fresh enquiry for frontman Jay Rodriguez," wrote the Sunday People's Dean Jones prior to the end of the January transfer window. "Arsenal are preparing to go head to head with Tottenham Hotspur this summer for Morgan Schneiderlin" offered The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson earlier in January.
As noted in both stories, the two Southampton players had been prominently linked with a transfer to Tottenham last summer in the wake of former boss Pochettino's own switch to White Hart Lane.
An outburst from Schneiderlin on social media appeared to back speculation he was on intent on leaving. The rumours of Rodriguez's potential departure seemed less likely given he was recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered the previous April (an ongoing process).
Nothing came of either, and Schneiderlin has gone on to enjoy a good campaign as part of an impressive Saints side who remain genuine challengers for a Champions League place.
One way or another, resolution over both players' futures as regards to Spurs would be welcome this off-season.
The encouraging form of midfielders Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and Benjamin Stambouli might have cooled Pochettino's possible interest in Schneiderlin. With Alli due to arrive this summer, too, options already exist that do not require an expensive outlay for the France international.
Fitness permitting, Rodriguez could be worth another look.
Pochettino's Southampton team benefited enormously from both his width and directness last season. With Spurs likely to refashion their forward options (see previous page), he could well make a good addition.
Prepare a Potential Champions League-Enhanced Shopping List
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Berahino and Rodriguez are talented footballers and, particularly in the former's case, have plenty of upside. They are also potential targets who Tottenham could realistically sign regardless of their qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Playing in Europe's premier club competition does not guarantee top players will be falling over themselves to join your club (nor does not being in it stop a club from signing them—see Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris). But it does create opportunities which might not have otherwise been available.
Spurs' qualification in 2010 undoubtedly played a big part in Rafael van der Vaart's decision to join them from Real Madrid.
The La Liga giants were keen to move the Netherlands international on so they could trim their squad—hence the cut-price £8 million fee—but the signing was still a considerable coup for then-manager Harry Redknapp's team.
Van der Vaart scored 28 goals and set up a further 17 in two seasons with the club, as tallied by ESPN FC, and helped them to a memorable first European Cup campaign in almost 50 years.
In anticipation of Spurs maybe getting back there, Pochettino and the club's transfer bigwigs will almost certainly be preparing a suitably grander shopping list.
It would not preclude the signing of less glamorous targets, nor would it require they automatically go out and spend on the biggest name(s) they can find. The progress of players like Kane and Mason this season shows how just as good options can be found close to home.
But the option is a nice one to have nonetheless. Sixth after the defeat by Liverpool, Spurs have plenty of work to do if it is to come to fruition this summer.
Keep Lloris
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In his pre-Arsenal press conference last week, Pochettino gave short-shrift to the idea some of Europe's top clubs could try and take his goalkeeper Lloris away.
"But Hugo is happy here with us, he is very happy," the Spurs head coach said. "Difficult for this type of club to get him."
It was then put forward the France international might want to play Champions League football.
"He is happy here," Pochettino insisted. "Maybe in the future in his mind he play in the Champions League with Tottenham."
More than Eriksen, more than Kane, more than any other Spurs player, Lloris' future is both secure and up in the air.
He extended his contract until 2019 last summer, but it is understandable why the thought of the 28-year-old maybe wanting to leave is in some people's minds.
Lloris is an incredibly talented goalkeeper. He knew he was joining a project in Spurs, and has given his all to play his part in its progression. Professionally, he is being challenged in the Premier League as well as he could anywhere.
But as one of the world's best in his position, it is not unfeasible he might like a more substantial crack at winning trophies sometime. He could well achieve that with Spurs, but it is going to take some time in terms of challenging for the biggest honours (if it is even possible).
The Daily Express' David Wright reported on Monday Manchester United would bid for him in the event of David de Gea leaving. As seen when Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were sold to Real Madrid, it is highly unlikely Spurs would contemplate selling a key player to another English club (who are not in the Champions League right now either). Interest from abroad could force their hands, though.
Again, Lloris may be completely happy to stay at Spurs with Pochettino. The latter must do what he can to convince him he can fulfil his ambitions at White Hart Lane.
Trim the Squad to Make Room for Others
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It is a less showy aspect of a summer transfer wishlist, but trimming the squad in places will be almost as appealing to Pochettino as bringing in new names.
Players like Adebayor, Etienne Capoue, Younes Kaboul and Soldado remain useful for the time being. Indeed, one or two may still prove themselves long-term contributors.
But the likelihood is they (and Aaron Lennon, currently on loan at Everton) will be among the first to go this summer, freeing up Pochettino to work with others he believes could improve his team.
This does not necessarily mean new signings either.
The Tottenham academy that produced Kane, Mason and Andros Townsend, as well as brought along Bentaleb and Danny Rose, has others who will be keen to break through next season. Or at least begin to show they can contribute to the first-team squad.
Some like Ryan Fredericks, Alex Pritchard, Milos Veljkovic and Grant Ward have already impressed either in fleeting first-team opportunities and/or on loan and would relish the chance to make an impact similar to the aforementioned peers.
A little further behind, Nathan Oduwa, Joshua Onomah and Kyle Walker-Peters are among the highly regarded names to have made waves in the youth team over the last year or so. The latter two were involved in Spurs' 3-1 fifth round FA Youth Cup victory over Manchester United on Monday.
Pochettino has shown himself open to handing opportunities to deserving youngsters. Removing senior players not involved in his plans would be a considerable show of faith that he believes they can contribute and compete.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.
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