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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Spurs are London’s Second Best Team this Year

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the MLS All Stars during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the MLS All Stars during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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A good selection of Tottenham Hotspur Links today.

Today’s edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links features Sky Sports’ Charlie Nicohlas and his top five London clubs this season and a prediction of where each one will finish at the end of the season. Next, it’s another list involving which strikers should Tottenham target in January. And finally, a quick look at how many minutes both Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have played for club and country this season. To the links below.

For the purpose of showing what Charlie Nicholas had to say regarding Tottenham and where they stack up against the other London-based clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Ham United), here’s Nicholas’ paragraph in its entirety.

"London’s No 2: Tottenham“Tottenham have got a real shot at finishing in the top four, but when I watched them take the lead at the Emirates they had the chance to kick on and win that match, but weren’t adventurous enough.It’s okay playing the squeezing game and working off the other team’s mistakes but there’s another side of the game where, when it opens up, you have to wrap up the three points. I haven’t seen enough of that from them.There are also still issues with depth. Their centre-backs have done really well, but where’s the cover? I’m not a fan of their full-backs and they rely on Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris a lot.”Charlie predicts: Tottenham to finish fifth"

Spot on with the depth issues, Harry Kane still being the only legit goal scoring threat and having a problem of killing games off. These are things that Tottenham will hopefully address soon otherwise maintaining their current position and getting into the Champions League will be difficult.

RELATED: Tottenham Links: Axel Witsel is Stil a Target for Spurs

  1. Jesé — Real Mardid | 22-years-old | £9.8 million *
  2. Mauro Icardi — Inter Milan | 22-years-old | £22.4 million *
  3. Ayoze Pérez — Newcastle United | 22-years-old | £4.9 million *
  4. Michy Batshuayi — Olympique Marseille | 22-years-old | £6.3 million **
  5. Charlie Austin — Queens Park Rangers | 26-years-old | £9.1 million ***

* Market value’s last change was July 1, 2015 per Transfermarkt
** Market value’s last change was September 6, 2015 per Transfermarkt
*** Market value’s last change was September 24, 2015 per Transfermarkt

Looking at the players above, here’s a couple of notes to point out. If Spurs want Premier League experience there’s Charlie Austin and Ayoze Pérez. For the Belgian connection, Spurs could try their luck with Michy Batshuayi. An Argentine connection will be Mauro Icardi. As for Jesé, he plays for Real Madrid.

There “used” to be an affiliation between Real Madrid and Tottenham which didn’t work out so well. Meaning it’s unlikely that both clubs would do business ever again. All players would be good to have as a backup striker or become the main striker, but will any of them be signed in January? Maybe, maybe not.

One reason why Tottenham’s defense has vastly improved this year is because Tottenham were able to sign Toby Alderweireld and pair him up with Jan Vertonghen.

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The two have played together during their time with Ajax in the Eredivisie (Dutch Football League) as well as on the Belgium national team. There’s a familiarity between the two defenders.

That chemistry coupled with a revolving door as Vertonghen’s center-back partner last term, meant that their needed to be more stability. Hence Alderweireld was signed and has played alongside Jan Vertonghen for a majority of Tottenham’s games this season.

Tottenham’s vice-captain, Jan Vertonghen has played in 810 minutes over 9 matches for Belgium. For Spurs, Vertonghen has played in 1,350 minutes in 15 appearances in all competitions this season.

Toby Alderweireld has reached 797 minutes for Belgium and started every single game like Vertonghen has. As for playing with Tottenham, Alderweireld has racked up 1,440 minutes in 16 appearances in all competitions this season.

Next: Tottenham's Dele Alli Stars in England Highlight Reel

The amount of minutes that both center-backs have already played in is a lot. It’ll be even more when they continue to play Premier League and Europa League games. Right now there won’t be any major rest until March when the international break returns. That is, unless Pochettino will rotate the squad around for less important games or matchups against lesser clubs.