Pochettino: Tottenham Must Strengthen Squad for Europe
One of the biggest priorities this summer, besides signing Mauricio Pochettino to a contract extension, is to address Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of depth with Champions League football on the horizon.
It’s already quite obvious that heading into next season, Tottenham must improve the quality of their team’s bench and add more depth in order to have a better chance at winning the Premier League and more so, to compete with Europe’s best in the Champions League.
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As easy as it is, to just go out and buy players to improve your team, it’s harder to find the right pieces that fit. And in Mauricio Pochettino’s view, it’s about signing players who align with his philosophy; who can play in his high-press, attacking style of football and who can defend well.
Essentially, a player must be in peak physical condition as well as mentally fit.
At the same time, if Pochettino can just incorporate a youth player from the academy while saving money, and have someone who has been in the system for a number of years, this is another option for the Argentine manager to consider.
Even if it might not work out immediately (see: Tom Carroll, Josh Onomah, Alex Pritchard, and Harry Winks).
Speaking to reporters at his latest press conference, here’s what Mauricio Pochettino had to say about his team’s depth (quotes via ESPN UK).
“We need to improve our squad — this is very clear,” Pochettino said. “Me, our supporters, our players, our squad — we are all agreed that we need to improve.”
“It’s a different level to play in Champions League. To play in the Champions League, the Premier League and in the cups, it’s important to have a very good balance. We need to improve our squad.”
“This is our challenge — to reduce the gap. The Champions League demands a lot of energy, more than the Europa League. It’s a very different competition. For that, we need to ensure we have a strong squad to compete in every competition.”
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Of course, signing players is one thing, but that alone isn’t enough. Chemistry is important and a big reason why Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven was so successful is because this entire season, only two signings cracked into the starting lineup: Toby Alderweireld and Dele Alli.
The rest where returning starters from a year ago. In Mousa Dembélé’s case, he was given a bigger role and succeeded after being a part-time starter last term.
Another thing that the Argentine manager has vowed to change, is Spurs’ mentality. He wants his players to become stronger mentally after watching his side lose 20 points from a winning position in the Premier League.
Something that ultimately doomed them from winning the title in the first place.
“We don’t only need to assess the last few games,” Pochettino added. “To move on, to grow up and to improve, we need to learn. Next season, more than tactics or physical condition, we need to improve our mental state. This is our challenge for next season.”
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“For us, it was the first season all together with this young group that plays for big things. If you analyse all the games, we were always better than our opponents, but it’s not always about playing well sometimes. There’s another game you need to manage too. We need to improve the mental state to be more strong.”
“You need to cross this line. In English it’s difficult to explain, but in my mind, this is my idea. Maybe my challenge is to improve my English for next season!”
“Many things we have in our mind to improve. We need to deliver from day one next season.”