Can Spurs break into the top Four?

Tottenham have always been on the edge of the top four, but they have failed to break into it on a consistent basis and the fan base is getting restless. The club has everything it needs to become a top club in England and in Europe, but they have failed to make the final step. They have gone through a number of managers and their recruitment has been far from the level it needs to be. In Mauricio Pochettino, they have a brilliant, young coach, who can grow with the club. Last season was a steady start, but they need to show progress this season, or life could get uncomfortable for the Argentine.

Last season, Tottenham conceded more than the rest of the top ten, which is a huge concern for the club. They have done some strengthening in that area over the summer, but once again Tottenham have had to shop for players who are yet to become Champions League players, yet have the potential. This provides a huge element of risk and one that they won’t be able to limit until they have the Champions League football to attract the world’s top players.

The defensive signings they have brought in this summer are Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer. The first two were very impressive in their debut seasons in the Premier League for Burnley and Southampton, which was why they attracted Spurs. Younes Kaboul has left the club after some problems behind the scenes and joined Sunderland. The transfers in and out on the defensive side have improved the squad and they should be a lot stronger at the back this season. The partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld could prove very effective and will give the side a strong base that it has been lacking for years.

Last season, Alderweireld played a huge role in Southampton’s success, after replacing Dejan Lovren. The Belgian is a perfect fit for Tottenham and he could prove to be an excellent foil for Jan Vertonghen, who has never had a steady partner in the back four. Alderweireld is versatile and can fill in at right back or in defensive midfield, which could be handy in the second half of the season, especially if injuries strike. Meanwhile Trippier is an attacking full back, who was one of the few Burnley players to look at home in the top flight. The full back played every Premier League game for the relegated club and picked up four assists in the process. This highlights the quality he has going forwards and was impressively one of the main attacking forces in the Burnley line up from right back.

Tottenham have always had talented attacking players, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Rafeal van der Vaart, Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane being available to them in the past. However the current crop could become the best yet as they are all young with plenty of potential to grow into top players. Harry Kane came from nowhere last season to be a contender for the golden boot and this year he will have to deal with the raised expectations from both the media and the Spurs fanbase. It will be interesting to see if Kane performs highly again and confirms himself as a real talent, or if last season was a one off. The club also have Christian Eriksen, who is one of the best players in the league and has a habit for chipping in with crucial goals. Erik Lamela is still a player who could contribute a lot to the team, but he is running out of time to show his quality in England.

Tottenham have a young squad, but they have strengthened their weak area over the summer and they have managed to keep hold of Hugo Lloris, who has been crucial to their cause. They will be in a better position to do well this season, especially now Pochettino has settled into his role at the club and the players are used to him. However, the big concern will be that they haven’t strengthened as much as Liverpool or Manchester United. Their is more work to do in this window for Spurs and a quality central midfielder should be the priority, or they will find themselves away from Europe’s premier competition for another year.