Positives for Tottenham Hotspur heading into the season

With pre-season complete and the first match less than a week away, it is time to take stock of the positives for Tottenham Hotspur heading into the season. 

By most accounts, it has been a positive offseason for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs went off script and did a ton of incoming transfer business early in the window, creating a deeper team, more prepared to compete on multiple fronts. That depth is just one of three noteworthy positives heading into the season for Tottenham Hotspur.

Positive #1 – Conte has depth he trusts upfront

If anyone reads any of the comments from Steven Bergwijn, who just left Spurs to head to Ajax, his relationship with coach Conte was not great. Likewise, given the playing time that the Dutchman garnered – despite scoring some critical goals – Conte did not trust Bergwijn to carry out his game plan.

Sure, when the going gets tough, and you need a play, an off-script playmaker can fit the bill. However, within a system like Conte runs, players must trust that each character will perform their piece to make it all work.

With Richarlison as his hand-picked back-up for the front three, Tottenham should have a more dynamic attack. Just the idea that there is an option that Conte can and will turn to early in a match, not as a last resort, makes the team better. Furthermore, the Brazilian is a better player than Bergwijn.

Last season, Richarlison played just over 2,500 Premier League minutes scoring ten goals and assisting five others. Bergwijn had seven goals and six assists in under 2,500 minutes in his Spurs career. I know I will never forget Leicester City and appreciate the three points. Still, Tottenham is undoubtedly a more potent team heading into the season in the attack, with Richarlison now part of the mix.