Issues Tottenham Must Address in Final Weeks of the Summer Transfer Window
As 2014-15 drew to a close, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke of the importance of getting things right in the summer transfer window.
"It's not only if you pay money you are sure you can achieve something," the Argentinian reflected ahead of Tottenham's 1-0 loss to Manchester City. "The key is to take the right decision, not invest money."
Only when the upcoming season gets going will we begin to find out if the decisions already taken, and the ones still to come, were sound. But right now Pochettino will hope the considered approach he and the north Londoners' relevant decision-makers are taking pays off in the months to come.
The moves that still need to be made in the final weeks of the window will be just as important in helping define what Tottenham are about this season.
Spurs' early-summer transfer activity has revolved around reinforcing a leaky defence and trimming a bloated midfield. In the latter position, Etienne Capoue, Lewis Holtby, Paulinho and, this week, Benjamin Stambouli have all moved on.
Holtby's permanent exit to Hamburg after a season on loan there was all but a certainty. Capoue's departure was inevitable too after he did not play at all after January.
Despite their own infrequent involvement, Paulinho and Stambouli being transferred was not a given if only because their departures would have consequences depth-wise.
The new contracts awarded to academy midfielders Josh Onomah and Harry Winks—both players who made their first-team debuts last season—suggest Pochettino may address the position's numbers by trusting even more in youth this season.
Experiences on loan elsewhere preceded senior opportunities at Spurs for Ryan Mason (as well as fellow homegrown talents in other positions like Harry Kane and Andros Townsend). But it is not a prerequisite, as seen with Nabil Bentaleb's promotion straight into first-team duty in 2014.
With Dele Alli, Tom Carroll and Mousa Dembele also still available, Pochettino will still be deciding just who he wants around in his midfield this year. The concluding weeks of the transfer window running parallel to the first few games proper of the season will give the Argentinian a good idea of what is needed.
First, in terms of how the continued development of midfield prospects such as Onomah and Winks should go (i.e. whether sticking around or going out on loan is more beneficial). Second, whether a move for a more experienced central midfielder is needed for the team (perhaps such as Everton's James McCarthy who has already been linked with a transfer, per the Daily Mail's Simon Jones).
There could still be further movement around Tottenham's defence.
Vlad Chiriches' tough time at the end of last season (mixed performances including a sending off at Stoke City and jeering from Spurs fans during the Aston Villa loss) has made it so parting company is the likely best option for both parties. With five options at right-back (Eric Dier, Ryan Fredericks, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and DeAndre Yedlin), changes will be made there too.
But besides confirming who is wanted around in central midfield, the next two most pressing moves Tottenham should look to make relate to enhancing their attack. The possible addition of a new wide-man, and the definite need for at least one new striker.
It is possible just one player could fulfill both these functions.
The wide roles performed by Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Andros Townsend in Spurs' predominantly used 4-2-3-1 could be adapted to centre round more forward-focused responsibilities that would better suit a striker. Providing the flexibility for a move to a more straightforward front two.
West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino certainly fits the mold of a forward adept at attacking from the flank and leading the line. The Independent's Sam Dymond has been among those to link Spurs with a move for the England Under-21 international in recent days, describing his signing as a "priority" for Pochettino.
If such a hybrid performer is not available, a straight-up goalscorer to help last season's top-scorer Harry Kane with the scoring load is a must.
One of the club's other current strikers, Emmanuel Adebayor or Roberto Soldado, sticking around would be adequate for back-up. But both did little last season to suggest they can still be considered first or second options.
Recruiting a new winger (inverted or otherwise) is not so urgent. Chadli's place is his to lose after an overall strong 2014-15, while Lamela and Townsend will both be keen to build on the brighter points of their own campaign. Should either or both do so, Spurs should get what they need on the flanks from them.
Still, some extra competition would not hurt. Pochettino may also just find himself that confident in a prospective recruit coming in and delivering straight away that signing them outweighs persevering with either Lamela or Townsend (or indeed could be a more productive fit for the left than Chadli).
In both positions there is also the possibly burgeoning subplot of other development squad players possibly being called up. Shaquile Coulthirst and Nathan Oduwa have both featured in Spurs' behind-closed-doors pre-season friendlies and may follow Mason's efforts last summer in unexpectedly catching the eye of their boss.
Tottenham have done well addressing a couple of important areas in this transfer window already. But work undoubtedly still needs to be done before it can be declared a complete satisfactory summer business-wise.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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