Tottenham Hotspur Season Preview: best team since ’61?

Tottenham Hotspur have been the most consistent team in England over the last two years. In fact, there is an argument to say that Mauricio Pochettino has built the most complete Spurs team in over five decades, going back to Bill Nicholson’s 60/61 double-winners.

Ably assisted by the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane has scored an incredible 99 goals in three seasons. At the other end, they have gone from leaking goals in 14/15, to having the division’s best defensive record, their back-line led staunchly by Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.

Surely this is exactly the wrong time therefore, for a period of major off-field transition? The club waves good by to it’s 118-year home, White Hart Lane, moving briefly to Wembley while new stadium development plans remain in motion.

We saw at rivals West Ham last season the impact that moving can have, particularly on supporters. Initially at least, they perhaps lose a certain sense of identity and at times that can translate onto the pitch, creating a challenge that Spurs will have to navigate.

One they have struggled to navigate so far this summer is transfer dealings, with no new players joining. As good a manager as Pochettino is, he prefers to develop players rather than buy big and perhaps not one to put pressure on his owner to invest. This could be a problem, with Liverpool and both Manchester clubs strengthening this summer.

They have lost one of the Premier League’s most consistent right-backs in Kyle Walker without signing a direct replacement, as if asking Kieran Trippier to start every game. They should perhaps have signed a versatile full-back, capable of deputizing for Trippier or left-back Ben Davies until Danny Rose’s September return. Considering that they’ve got to compete in the Premier League, Champions League  and potentially for a domestic cup, little has been done to improve the squad depth.

Victor Wanyama quite literally threw his weight around last season and was he one of the Premier League’s best signings. More is needed, however: Eric Dier reverted to a centre-back role at times while Mousa Dembele and Harry Winks picked up injuries. Indeed, as well as Alli does in the final third, scoring 18 goals last season, he is not one to influence games in the middle third when deeper midfielders don’t dominate. A little more pace and drive is needed from deeper areas and it looks unlikely that Moussa Sissoko has the quality required.

As well as Tottenham have done over the last two seasons, one worries that in this time of post-White Hart Lane transition, their biggest strength could become a weakness.

The Football Lab’s Verdict: 6th