Tottenham Hotspur: The Week That Was and More
Let’s find out what happened this past week and more involving Tottenham Hotspur.
Regardless of only scoring once in the previous two league matches, which is far from an outcry, the fact of the matter is Spurs heading into Saturday’s game still had the second best goal differential (+17), due in large to having arguably the best defense in the league. So any thought or hunch of Tottenham not finishing in the top four after the Wednesday night’s loss to Leicester City was premature, even if for some it was understandable, whether you’re a pessimist or not.
Feeling slightly gutted after the Leicester game, it was telling that the loss was nothing more but a wake up call, and was important to set right.
Yesterday against Sunderland, the young Tottenham side on all fronts did just that.
Similar to the games against Everton and Leicester City, Tottenham dominated the first half with not much to show for it. Finding themselves down 1-0 minutes before the break, it took the poor fortune of Sunderland’s league-worst defense to equalize a minute later. Fifteen minutes into the second half and still dominating all phases of the game, a reinvigorated Mousa Dembélé put Tottenham ahead. After receiving the rebound from Danny Rose’s deflected strike, the Belgian calmly gathered himself, shifting the ball onto his left side before coolly striking it through. From that point on for Tottenham it was nothing but blood in the water.
Christian Eriksen scored his first goal for Tottenham from open play in almost a year, as the reigning three-time Danish Player of the Year, and recorded his second brace of the season. Having recently expressed interest in sitting down with manager Mauricio Pochettino to discuss his role going forward, Eriksen like many may feel since moving out wide, his play hasn’t been as threatening in attack as it was when he was playing through the middle.
Shifting Christian Eriksen back into the number ten is something Pochettino should seriously consider. In doing so, Dele Alli can sit back and play next to Eric Dier. Allowing Dembélé and Érik Lamela to play on either side of the Dane.
Another thought might be to slot Lamela next to Eric Dier in the middle of the pitch. With a more central position to operate, Tottenham’s Argentine – who lacks real pace to play out wide – could really benefit using his work rate to win over the midfield.
Since playing in England, Lamela has shown his strengths to be much different than the ones he showcased playing in Serie A. Possessing good vision, which makes great for sending players free into space, the Argentine’s skillset can benefit much more from playing in the middle. And even though a mid-season position change may not be the best thing for either Lamela or the club, come this summer, Spurs will have to spend big, especially if they are to be competing in Champions League. Transitioning Lamela into a more central figure, will allow Pochettino to go out and sign a Sofiane Boufal or even better a Michy Batshuayi.
With much more quality to be had in the summer, it makes looking in January all the tougher. As the legs of certain players look to be getting heavy and heavier, it’s evident that a signing or two would be in Pochettino’s best interest before the January 31st deadline. Whether any deal that is made pans out or not, at least Tottenham can say they tried. Pochettino and scouting head Paul Mitchell for the most part tend to get it right.
It’s heavily been reported that 19-year-old striker Moussa Dembélé of Fulham, is close to making the switch to north London. The former PSG youth player is ready to move on from his current west London Championship League side, garnering interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Interested in signing a striker, who can play alongside Harry Kane, only makes Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy’s task of finding a player all the more intriguing. Knowing that a player can come into the squad with the hope and likelihood of eventually playing with the first team makes you wonder what the manager and chairman’s aim going forward will be. Will they look for a diamond in the rough? Perhaps somebody to just get by? Or will they spend big hoping the gamble pays off?
A player like Dembélé from Fulham would have a great shot at coming in right away to the first team, but to expect him to get off to the type of start that fellow 19-year-old Dele Alli has gotten off to, is asking a bit much. But for what the player is currently worth, the deal could very well turn out to be cut rate.
As alluded to earlier, the quality of player who can come in and have an impact is not as strong as what it would be come summer. Teams don’t want to sell any key player, let alone key striker mid season.
Michy Batshuayi of Marseille is the ideal striking partner to Harry Kane. A do-it-all forward who can play anywhere in attack, Batshuayi has excellent finishing ability, and will most certainly be featured for Belgium in this summer’s Euros. Batshuayi – who is thought to have garnered interest from clubs all over Europe – has been heavily linked with Tottenham and would be well worth the £40 million to play him alongside Kane next season.
And as hesitant as Tottenham may be to sign Saido Berahino, the risk isn’t as big as you would think. How bad of a reputation can a 22-year-old really have anyways? The player is talented and proven to be a viable goal scoring option in the league and once he’s gained the level of fitness Pochettino demands, Berahino will surely make the most of his opportunity. He is too bright a talent not to. Coming into a new club like Spurs with a new opportunity, Berahino after working with Pochettino will see what this special young group is about and do everything he can to acclimate himself, while also accommodating the team.
Next: THL: Assessing Spurs' Title Hopes in Seven Games
Unfortunately, the problem ultimately may not be Tottenham’s reluctance to sign Berahino, but instead chairman Jeremy Peace’s reluctance to sell the striker. Even considering that Berahino refuses to sign a new contract with the Baggies, Jeremy Peace seems set to go down that road anyways and fight whatever good fight he thinks he’s fighting.
With not many convincing striking options to go for this transfer window, Berahino still seems to be the most logical if a move is to be made for anyone.
Going forward, Tottenham will look to further cushion their Champions League aspirations, as they travel away to Crystal Palace and Norwich for there next two leagues matches. They will then return home to the Lane where they will take on Watford, before heading to the Etihad for a potential top four clash with Manchester City.