3 Under-the-Radar Transfer Moves Tottenham Should Make in the Summer
Four matches remain of Tottenham Hotspur's 2014-15 campaign. Then the work really begins on shaping the squad for Mauricio Pochettino's second season in charge in north London.
"They are ready to take a decision, they are ready to try to improve our squad," the head coach said of recruitment honchos Franco Baldini and Paul Mitchell in his press conference on Thursday. As soon as Tottenham's last match is complete, "this is the moment we will start to take a decision."
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Speaking after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southampton, Pochettino did not hold back on the importance of the moves Spurs will make in this period. "We need to prepare for a big summer, build a strong team and fight for the top four," he stated to BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan. "Our dream for our supporters and this club is that they deserve to fight for the top four and be in the Champions League."
The pursuit of Champions League football may lead to big names being targeted. But it will also require the acquisition of players a little less heralded, maybe even found off the beaten track.
With several positions in Pochettino's team in need of attention and likely to see change, here are three such under-the-radar transfer moves Tottenham should look to make.
Central defensive leadership
With the out-of-favour Younes Kaboul almost certainly set to leave White Hart Lane, there will be at least one centre-back spot in need of filling. Depending in Pochettino's faith/tolerance in the less erratic but still inconsistent Eric Dier, Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen, further alterations could be made too (Vlad Chiriches has been somewhere in between at different pints this season).
Cologne's 22-year-old Kevin Wimmer has frequently been touted as a new centre-back addition in recent weeks. Monaco's Tunisia international Aymen Abdennour could also be interesting Spurs, per Metro.co.uk's Hannah Duncan.
Given the issues with focus and concentration which still plague the north Londoners at the back—seen at several points against Southampton—it would be bordering on egregious if Pochettino does not look for someone who can keep his team alert and organised.
Developing such leadership qualities in defenders is a sadly neglected art nowadays. At least going by the sheer number in the position who on any given week can be seen with eyes only for the ball at set-plays and passages leading to final deliveries.
One player who might address that for Tottenham, and who possesses the Premier League experience to slot in almost immediately, is Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross.
The Potters understandably would not be keen to let the captain and keystone of their defence depart. While he has three seasons left on his contract, the 27-year-old's response to seemingly hitherto and unprecedented interest from a more substantially equipped club would be extremely intriguing.
Shawcross is as committed as they come; he's tough and possesses sound defensive instincts. Someone like Dier (or another young acquisition like Wimmer) might develop those with time, but if Spurs are to really progress, they need real defensive leadership now.
Back-up for Kane
Top scorer with 30 goals so far this season, Harry Kane is set to be the central figure of Tottenham's attack heading into next season. Even with his outstanding progress this campaign, it is common sense he needs support to ensure he does not carry the burden alone.
Pochettino's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation makes it so an attacker who can play in the wide role of that supporting trio is likely to be a target. This writer has talked up West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino as one who fits the bill. The Mirror's Dean Jones has reported Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie is a target.
With Emmanuel Adebayor on the outs and Roberto Soldado continuing to under-perform, Spurs could do with adding a straightforward alternative to Kane. Someone who might consider a back-up role, but who can still deliver goals.
Bolasie's Palace team-mate Dwight Gayle is someone worth taking a look at here.
The 24-year-old has struck 16 goals in two seasons in a similar role for the Selhurst Park club. Perhaps somewhere with guaranteed first-team football will better suit his top-flight development taking a step forward.
Gayle clearly knows how to find the back of the net (he is similar to former Spur Jermain Defoe in the way he can seize upon and take chances). That is not something to take for granted.
A midfield facilitator
Nabil Bentaleb has seemingly cemented his place in Tottenham's midfield after getting his chance last season. Along with fellow academy product Ryan Mason making his breakthrough, it has led to the relegation of expensively purchased colleagues to back-up and fringe roles.
Not all of Etienne Capoue, Mousa Dembele, Paulinho and Benjamin Stambouli will (or should) leave this summer. But Pochettino's own evident, relative lack of belief in them, coupled with the players' own desire to play, will mean some change is afoot.
Bringing players up from the youth system will not always be an option. Pochettino said as much this week, emphasising Spurs "need to analyse and we need to be careful" on who is promoted and when. While there are hopes for players like Josh Onomah and Harry Winks (who both made their debut in the Europa League this season), work still needs to be done before they are deemed ready.
The pre-signing of Dele Alli from Milton Keynes Dons was a reminder the club will look elsewhere when deemed appropriate.
One player who Spurs should consider doing so again for is Everton's James McCarthy. Although previously linked with the club, he is not someone who has been mentioned so much recently.
The 24-year-old's patient passing and steady positioning does not smack of a glamour signing. But at times Spurs have lacked a presence whose focus is facilitating the progression of moves from midfield.
Bentaleb, Dembele, Mason and Paulinho are all capable of doing so, but they can often find themselves distracted by other responsibilities. Tom Carroll, on loan at Swansea City, can do so, but Spurs have not yet trusted the physically slight midfielder's ability to handle himself in the Premier League.
Again, like Shawcross, McCarthy is not someone Everton will want to lose. But he is certainly the type of link-up play midfielder Spurs could do with acquiring somehow.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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