1 Player Tottenham Will Regret Not Signing in 2015 Summer Transfer Window

The closure of the transfer window on the eve of an international break has provided an opportunity for introspection. 

Without the distraction of Premier League fixtures, interest has centred on the perceived failure to reinforce key positions in the summer. 

Transfer windows give clubs an option to tweak, but revolution is almost never more successful than evolution, and that is the philosophy that guided Tottenham Hotspur's movements this summer. 

An attempt to fix every issue would cause more disturbance than it could justify. Clubs must pick their greatest weaknesses and go from there.

Only three teams conceded more goals than Mauricio Pochettino's team last season. 

Addressing that was the primary concern for Spurs, and the early signings of a trio of able defenders reflected the urgency of their defensive frailties.

Kevin Wimmer, the first signing of the summer, provides essential depth. Toby Alderweireld was, by contrast, acquired as an upgrade to Spurs' starting XI. In his early appearances, he has, with the exception of the penalty conceded against Stoke City, been assured.

Alderweireld's solidity alongside Jan Vertonghen has enabled Eric Dier to be moved further up the pitch in a defensive midfield role. 

These arrivals enabled the club to divest itself of Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches. Their departures were necessitated by frequent displays of ineptitude last season. 

The signing of a top-drawer reserve right-back was long overdue. 

First-choice Kyle Walker's frequent injury troubles have compelled Spurs to employ emergency options at a vital position. 

That oversight was resolved by the acquisition of Kieran Trippier from Burnley. 

By July 8, when Alderweireld's capture was confirmed, Tottenham had resolved their greatest weakness. 

The club then had nearly 60 days to focus on their issues in midfield and attack. 

Stringent efforts were reportedly made to identify the defensive midfielder who could liberate the likes of Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb from their baser duties to focus instead on making and scoring goals. 

Southampton's Victor Wanyama, Zenit St Petersburg's Axel Witsel and even Borussia Dortmund's Sven Bender were alternately pursued. None were secured, though, and Spurs are left with Dier as their only option in that role.

Dier has been a modest success and will not be required in every fixture. Certainly, Pochettino can do without a destroyer in midfield against some of the more modest Premier League sides. 

It is then not a crisis for Tottenham to confront the remainder of their season without a specialist in that position. 

Heung-Min Son, brought in from Leverkusen for a hefty transfer fee, will ease Spurs' attacking woes. Two-footed, quick and a reliable scorer, Son will alleviate the pressure on Harry Kane. 

Clinton Njie may prove to be the first gem unearthed by transfer guru Paul Mitchell but cannot be expected to stand in for Kane if the Englishman suffers injury or fatigue. 

The greatest regret of Tottenham's summer transfer window business must be the failure to complete the Saido Berahino deal with West Brom. 

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

The fact that chairman Daniel Levy felt compelled to issue a statement explaining Spurs' side of the saga suggests a great deal of frustration at its ultimate conclusion. 

Levy refused to directly reference Berahino or his Baggies counterpart Jeremy Peace, but his methodical repudiation of Peace's accusations is quite clear. 

Berahino is already a fine Premier League player. 

In a poor West Brom team that suffered through the upheaval of two managerial changes mid-season, Berahino scored 14 goals in the league and reached 20 in all competitions.

Still just 22, Berahino combines the aggression and single-minded focus on scoring goals of former Spurs fan favourite Jermain Defoe with far more impressive physical attributes.

Combining him with his England under-21 strike partner Kane would be perfect for Tottenham. 

Kane is a creative player, equally effective in making chances as he is taking them. 

His understanding with Nacer Chadli is a less refined version of what could be expected from Berahino.

Chadli moves in from the wing to occupy central areas when Kane drops deep, but he lacks the explosive pace and aggression of Berahino.

The Burundi-born striker is more prepared to take risks in possession and is more effective running at defenders than Chadli. Whether he would pull his weight more effectively in defensive phases than the Belgian is uncertain.

More than any of the other striking options linked with Spurs over the summer, Berahino was ideal. 

The fee reportedly demanded by West Brom was £25 million. 

That would have made Berahino one of the most expensive signings in Spurs' history. 

For a club that has had little luck with its transfer record, Berahino would have joined a list with the likes of Sergei Rebrov, Darren Bent and Roberto Soldado, but there was little reason to suspect he would have struggled as they did. 

Berahino is proven in England and is a player who makes the most of his chances. 

He is dangerous on the break and smart enough to make effective runs even when the opposition defends deep against him.

Markedly different to Kane, Berahino wouldn't have been a replacement but a player to thrive with him. 

No team can solve every issue in a single transfer window. 

Tottenham are evidently stronger now than they were at the close of the last campaign. 

Their defence is reinforced, their wide attacking options substantially improved.

Dier is no longer required in central defence and provides a decent option to screen the back four from midfield. 

Failing to complete the deal to take Berahino from the Hawthorns must stand as Tottenham's greatest transfer window regret. 

Even the club's inability to offload Emmanuel Adebayor is less of an issue. 

In Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino's joint statement following the transfer window, the Argentinian made the point that he is unconcerned by his attacking options.

Spurs are not facing a disastrous season.

There will be no great fall-out for having failed to bring Berahino down to London, but he will remain their great regret. 

If he flourishes again this season, he could be out of reach by next summer.