After Vincent Janssen Deal, Tottenham Have Sufficient Depth to Compete

Tottenham Hotspur's prolonged pursuit of AZ Alkmaar forward Vincent Janssen is expected to be successfully concluded in the next few days, according to De Telegraaf (h/t James Gray of the Daily Express).

The Dutchman will be an excellent signing for Spurs as he provides the back-up to Harry Kane that has been so desperately required and is a fine player in his own right. 

Aged just 22, Janssen has enjoyed a rapid rise in the last year as he topped the Eredivisie scoring charts and made his first five international appearances for the Netherlands. 

With Janssen alongside Kane, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has a quality duo to spearhead his Premier League and Champions League campaigns. Clinton Njie, the pacy Cameroonian forward, also remains as an attacking option. 

Once Janssen is officially confirmed, Tottenham will possess the requisite quality in their attacking options to again push for the title. 

This move also allows the likes of Heung-Min Son, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli to focus on their primary roles in the attacking midfield line. With Kane as the only option for much of last season, the trio deputised as auxiliary forwards in the lesser competitions to mixed effect. 

None possess the ability to dictate play in the way that Kane does and so Spurs were notably one-dimensional in his absence. The four attacking positions—forward and three in midfield—are now well stocked with quality and strength in depth, but questions remain over the defensive midfield and defence. 

Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele formed the base of the Premier League's best midfield last season and both remain at White Hart Lane. The Belgian's qualities will be missed as he serves the remainder of his suspension in the opening games of the new season, but the England international is evolving as a playmaker in his own right and will enjoy his opportunities to shine. 

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

New recruit Vincent Wanyama eases concerns that Spurs are too thin in the engine room and gives Pochettino the tactical flexibility that he lacked last season. Academy products Ryan Mason, Tom Carroll, Harry Winks and Nabil Bentaleb are also available to fill spaces as required. 

Bentaleb is an Algeria international with all the qualities to eventually match and even exceed Dembele's contribution but will require patience after a difficult 2015-16 season. 

The best defence in the Premier League also remains intact, although Jan Vertonghen may miss the opening month with an ankle injury. Kevin Wimmer is one of the finest back-up defenders in Europe, and Tottenham are fortunate that it is the left side of their defence which requires reinforcement. 

Right-sided centre-back is the only position in which Spurs remain understrength. Toby Alderweireld enjoyed a superb debut campaign, but there are only youth-teamers available if the Belgium international picked up an injury or suspension. 

Rounding out the squad are the four quality full-backs. Danny Rose, Kyle Walker and Ben Davies were regulars at the European Championship in France, while Kieran Trippier showed his ability in limited appearances last season. 

Many of Tottenham's rivals are spending heavily this summer, and the recruitment of heavyweight players and managers makes Spurs' more modest moves seem somewhat underwhelming. The north London club, though, are careful not to acquire players that could upset the squad's chemistry as that remains the key for Pochettino.

Spurs were the nearest challengers to Leicester City last season. Despite dropping away after the title was won, they pushed the Foxes longer than any of their rivals. 

After failing to secure victory in any of their opening four matches, Tottenham were the best team in the country for months and that leaves them primed for the new season. 

The policy of gradual refinement is the prudent one after the progress made during the previous campaign. 

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Spurs now possess the depth to allow Pochettino to rotate even in key areas as he pursues the club's first league title since 1961. 

Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester, Liverpool and even a renewed Chelsea will all push for the title in what looms as a marathon campaign, but Tottenham have built themselves up with a consistent recruitment policy and are poised to contend once again.