Don’t Expect Much of Tottenham on Deadline Day

News continues to swirl that Tottenham are in for all manner of players before the January transfer deadline comes this evening. Don’t believe everything you read.

It’s true that Tottenham do likely have some long term targets. Rumors that the club might be keeping tabs on Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon completely add up, for instance. At 16, he’s precisely the type of player Mauricio Pochettino would need to sustain his success in the years to come.

At the same time, names like Jay Rodriguez and Isco and Ross Barkley also get tossed around — even as “likely” acquisitions. Those are a step too far into fantasy however. Tottenham simply are not in need of players like those three.

What they are more in need of, now more than ever, is stability. Barring struggles against Manchester City and Wycombe Wanderers in recent weeks, Tottenham are in the midst of a stunning run of good form. Adding in another player — particularly a player who might expect to start immediately — will not do anything for the harmony that helped create that run.

And, of course, we have assurances from Pochettino himself that the club will remain quiet on deadline day. In a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Sunderland, the Argentine narrowed down Spurs chances of any action at one tenth of one percent.

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Proof enough? Probably not. Deadline days and their limitless possibilities are simply too entertaining to ignore.

The fact is that, on paper, Tottenham do need some kind of improvement in at least a few areas of the squad. With Jan Vertonghen down and Toby Alderweireld also an injury risk, Spurs should probably sign another centre-back. It won’t make Kevin Wimmer happy, but the Austrian has hardly made a case for himself in recent weeks.

Adding a young playmaker in the mold of Christian Eriksen should be a priority as well. As with Sessegnon, the rumors surrounding Anderlecht youngster Youri Tielemans seem more plausible. The 19-year-old Belgian is a sought after target in Europe, and Spurs would do well to make their claim as early as possible.

If any or all of that were to happen though, it would not be prudent to wait until deadline day. Prices get inflated, deals look better than they actually are and it forces decisions that didn’t have to be forced. Look no further than last August and the deal for Moussa Sissoko for proof of that.

So sure, get excited about whatever you wish. Read up on Tielemans and Sessegnon and all the other bright young stars Tottenham will be linked with right up until they are bought by Chelsea and subsequently wasted.

Next: Tottenham take on Threadbare Sunderland

Just know that if no deals come through it’s less because the club weren’t on the ball and more because this isn’t the Tottenham of yesteryear. Pochettino’s project is slow and deliberate even if Daniel Levy sometimes pushes a Sissoko-like deal through from time to time.

Add to that that it all works. Pochettino has the players he need for a title push now, while also having depths of reserves to compete in the Europa League and FA Cup. They have no made moves yet this January because they simply don’t have to.