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Tottenham’s Pochettino Welcomes Challenge Next Season

By Alexander Balano

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media during a press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 3, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images).
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media during a press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 3, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images). /
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The 2016-17 season is set to begin in a little over two months and when it does, Tottenham Hotspur will once again be forgotten among the media. Not that it should bother anyone, but it mostly stems from big managerial hires and new players joining clubs from the transfer window.

After Tottenham earned third place last season, their highest ever finish in the Premier League, they will be pegged to repeat that feat and claim a top four spot next year. After improving in each of the past two seasons that Mauricio Pochettino has been managing, it’s to be expected that the only way to go is up.

Related Story: Tottenham's Pochettino: Everyone Was Too Nice to Leicester

The big leap from year one to year two was pretty sizable in that Spurs managed to contend for a league title. It was beyond expectations actually. The 2016-17 campaign should have been the year in which Pochettino leads his side on a title run-in. Now who’s to say that it won’t happen again for the second consecutive year?

What will happen though, is that Tottenham will go unnoticed once again for the majority of the season — just like last term. People decided to start paying attention when Spurs were the real deal before their unfortunate collapse.

So why will Tottenham be forgotten? Why won’t anyone pay much attention?

It’s simply down to the big managerial hires that have come into England: Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and the return of José Mourinho. Plus if any of Europe’s world-class players decide to join the Premier League. The Ibrahimovićs, the Aubameyangs, maybe even the Neymars.

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Manager Mauricio Pochettino stands sideline during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St.James' Park on May 15 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Manager Mauricio Pochettino stands sideline during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St.James’ Park on May 15 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) /

With three big hires for Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, the consensus among the media and supporters will no doubt shift over to these three clubs to see how they will do once the season begins.

It’s a challenge that Mauricio Pochettino welcomes. Especially what should be an even more exciting Manchester derby now that Guardiola and Mourinho will square off once again in their managerial careers.

"“They will have a problem as the city is small and they are sure to meet!,” Pochettino said jokingly about the prospect of Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho seeing each other frequently in Manchester (via ESPN FC).More from Hotspur HQStorybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s RicharlisonTottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivatedTottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield UnitedTottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield UnitedTottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help“They are two great managers and to compete against them will be good. Also two big teams, United and City, but also there is Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, Tottenham.”“Next season should be exciting in England. But it is normal that, for their history and trophies won, Mourinho and Guardiola eclipse everyone else.”"

Throughout most of the 2015-16 campaign, Mauricio Pochettino’s side went unnoticed due to Leicester City’s magical title run even though Tottenham had a great year in their own right. This year looks to be more or less the same, other teams will be talked about once again.

But being underdogs helped take massive pressure off of Tottenham last term. So having everyone’s eyes on other teams this year wouldn’t be bad at all.

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United — especially both Manchester clubs — having all the money in the world to splurge and completely upgrade their squads, they could return to a top four spot.

It won’t be outside the realm of possibility due to the managers they hired and players they could sign. Although big changes don’t happen overnight. For example, Spurs started off slowly before picking up steam.

Next: How Tottenham Will Drive England Against Russia

Ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League season, the spotlight should, by default, be on Leicester City as the reigning and defending champions. As well as Tottenham for being title contenders for much of the New Year before stumbling.

Unfortunately, both clubs could be taking a back seat. Again, this isn’t that much of a problem, but, it is a bit disrespectful to not talk about last season’s two best teams after the year they had.

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