Summer Transfers Who Would Fit Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Style

Tottenham Hotspur could be searching for as many as nine new players in the coming transfer window.

A poor start to the season was disguised by some fortuitous victories, but defeats to Stoke City and Newcastle laid bare some serious issues with both the style and substance of the team.

Etienne Capoue started eight Premier League matches by mid-October and only three since. Aaron Lennon's performances were deemed so below-par that he was shipped off to then-relegation-fighting Everton.

That Pochettino has been able to both recognise and respond to those issues is commendable.

More than just righting the ship, Pochettino's changes in approach and personnel prompted some famous victories and an unlikely (and ultimately futile) push for Champions League football.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado have played virtually no role in this campaign and given little indication that they could do so in years to come.

That Danny Rose is Spurs' fourth-highest goalscorer is both a testament to Pochettino's system and something of an indictment. Full-backs that provide both width and a genuine attacking outlet are a prominent feature of Pochettino's teams, and Rose has grown into that role better than anyone could have predicted.

That Soldado, Erik Lamela and Andros Townsend have been outscored by Rose suggests other elements of the squad aren't fitting into the system nearly as well.

The playing philosophy is now entrenched at the club. The players that proved themselves capable quickest found themselves in the team ahead of more established players.

Bogdan Maran/Associated Press

Pochettino has proved to be a flexible manager, with Paulinho, Moussa Dembele and even Vlad Chiriches being given chances to redeem themselves.

Pochettino and scouting boss Paul Mitchell will target intelligent players who can contribute quickly and will likely favour Premier League experience in selecting targets.

Chairman Daniel Levy has admitted that the club are not comfortable exceeding the £10-15 million range with future transfers after the disappointments on the 2013 spending splurge, according to minutes from a meeting between Levy and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (h/t International Business Times).

He has also promised "to ensure that we have a balance of experienced and home grown players, playing attacking, entertaining football our fans love" and that "we shall look to make changes to support Mauricio's plans for next season," as noted on the official club website.

Reinforcements are required across the pitch. If a team needs "two world-class players in every position" in order to compete, as the Telegraph's Rory Smith reported Manchester City defined their planned route to world football domination, Spurs face a busy summer.

The return of promising loan players for the pre-season, including Dele Alli, Alex Pritchard and Tom Carroll, will ease the burden on Mitchell's transfer network, but Spurs must find first-team quality through the spine of their team.

Pochettino and Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin's mutual fondness for each other is well-documented.

The Frenchman's dual talents in both attacking and defensive phases are what makes him such a sought-after commodity. He will be tough to acquire and will only ease Spurs' defensive issues. He is also likely to exceed the £10-15 million transfer comfort zone.

They could join the queue for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, who is reportedly available for £15 million, according to the Daily Star's Paul Brown (via the Metro's Tom Olver). Barcelona's Alex Song is another option, although it would take some work to convince the fans.

Out-of-contract striker Danny Ings is certain to leave Burnley this summer, and his fee would pale in comparison to his talent. He would make a fine addition to Spurs' ranks as both a foil for Kane and an understudy.

Spurs would find it difficult to beat rivals Manchester United and Liverpool to his signature, but they could offer first-team opportunities that those others could not.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

The Mirror's Steve Bates reports that Spurs have already agreed a deal to sign Kevin Wimmer, a classy centre-back who will ease their back-line deficiencies.

Hector Moreno may also be an option in the summer, but Arsenal are reportedly also targeting Pochettino's former pupil, according to the Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

Given that Younes Kaboul and Chiriches are both likely to be among the departures, Spurs will need to bring two players in unless they intend to promote youth-teamers.

Beyond Spurs' positional vacancies, they lack experience above all.

Their side is one of the youngest in Europe. 2012 signing Jan Vertonghen is one of the most experienced players in the squad.

James Milner would be a fantasy addition to Spurs' squad, but they are unlikely to beat Liverpool and Arsenal to signing the workhorse, according to the Mirror's David Anderson.

Spurs need a new defender, a defensive specialist in midfield and at least one new forward this summer.

They must avoid the rumoured "overhaul" reported by Bates (via HITC Sport's Tim Poole), which would have the effect of destroying the harmony and undermining the team structure that Pochettino has painstakingly installed.

No team, this season's Southampton apart, thrives after too many offseason comings and goings.