Tottenham Banking On Last Summer's Signings Coming Good

The limited activity of Tottenham on the final day of the summer transfer window is a clear indication that Spurs are relying on last summer’s signings coming good under new manager Mauricio Pochettino in the 2014-15 season.

While all the clubs around Tottenham have spent extravagantly, even Everton have invested to strengthen their team this summer, shopping at Harrods and making quality signings, Daniel Levy has visited the bargain basement with a preference for the cheaper option.

While Mauricio Pochettino wanted to strengthen the Spurs defence, there were other areas of the team which also needed attention. As in previous transfer windows, the manager has had a clear idea of the players he preferred to sign but come the close of the transfer window they haven’t arrived at White Hart Lane. There are shades of the summer of 2012 when Andre Villas-Boas wanted to sign Joao Moutinho from FC Porto.

Mauricio Pochettino has set about resolving problems with his defence but the players brought in were not his first choice signings. In other areas of midfield and striker, players were targeted but enquiries/negotiations never looked likely to come to a conclusion.

Tottenham Relying On:

With the Tottenham squad for the 2014-15 season, Spurs are banking on:

Last summer’s signings coming good

Of last summer’s 7 signings, only Christian Eriksen stepped up and proved himself a success at White Hart Lane. Even he, however, has still room for improvement as was clear against Liverpool on Sunday when he failed again to make an impression against a top team. He is an undoubted talent but for Spurs to have a successful team, he must show that ability in the big games against the best sides.

With all of the other “class of summer 2013” signings there remains uncertainty and doubts that they can deliver in the Premier League on a consistent basis. There have been early signs of progress from Erik Lamela but there’s a long way to go. Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli have to prove to the manager that they are deserving of a regular starting place in the team. Vlad Chiriches has shown ability when at his best but in inconsistent and prone to errors while he has also suffered through injury. With the players Spurs have signed, he faces stiff competition for a place in central defence. Etienne Capoue has had a chance since the start of the season to establish himself in the team after last season was lost to injury. Will he retain his place with the signing of Benjamin Stambouli?

Mauricio Pochettino being able to improve each player

Pochettino is regarded as a top coach who has said that every day he sets himself the goal of improving every player. With the current squad, he has a major task on his hands. It is a squad of talented players but as a coach he has to bring them together as a team and lift their overall level of competence as they are a long way short of the level achieved by the star players in the top teams in the Premier League.

Emmanuel Adebayor

It is scary that once again Tottenham face a season with limited striking resources. Having again failed to sign a striker Spurs are relying on Emmanuel Adebayor maintaining his enthusiasm and form and also avoiding injury. With such limited resources any serious injury issues could leave Spurs struggling to field an experienced striker.

Tottenham Banking On Last Summer’s Signings Coming Good

By Logan Holmes | Sep 2, 2014

Tottenham Relying On:

Last summer’s signings coming good

Mauricio Pochettino being able to improve each player

Emmanuel Adebayor