Are Tottenham’s Title Hopes Too Optimistic?
By Ryan Wrenn
Recent successes propelled Tottenham into the title conversation for the first time since late last season, but the club should be wary of rivals hunting the same glory.
It is true that Tottenham are the club closest to spitting distance with league-leaders Chelsea. That the gap between them is a full nine points with just 14 matches left to play isn’t often taken into consideration in the more optimistic estimates however.
Mauricio Pochettino, to his credit, doesn’t seem particularly consumed with closing that gap. Recent statements are equal parts ambitious and cautious, and with good reason.
“We need to be patient,” the Argentine admonished in a press conference. “We need time to try to create a strong team, a strong club, a strong mentality, a winning mentality.
“We need to finish the new stadium. At that point we will be ready to fight like now, but with more tools, and to be one of the best teams in the world.”
While stirring and wide-eyed, these are not the statements of a man consumed with winning the 2016/17 title.
It’s not just that Chelsea are an exceptional team. They are, but Antonio Conte enjoys the added benefit of a relatively light schedule. Besides their Premier League commitments, Chelsea only need worry about an upcoming FA Cup match against West Brom.
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Tottenham, in contrast, will need to rotate over at least the two legs of the Europa League Round of 32 in addition to taking on Fulham in the FA Cup. Given the standard of the opposition — Belgian side Gent — it’s likely that Tottenham will make it even deeper into the international club competition.
Chelsea, furthermore, have thus far been blessed with a clean bill of health for their primary starters. Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane each suffered a spell on the sidelines already for Spurs, while Jan Vertonghen is currently out through March.
Just because the odds are stacked in Chelsea at this point doesn’t mean Tottenham can shrug off the rest of the season. Even if they are alone in second place, it is only a point or two that separate them from rivals like Manchester City and Arsenal. Tottenham need to be sure they earn maximum points every opportunity they get if only to keep that more meager gap alive.
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Pochettino has constructed a young and ambitious team however. With time and more experience, meaningful and sustained title runs will be possible. Expecting it this season might be a mite too ambitious however.