With competition set to intensify in 2016/17, Tottenham Hotspur will need to invest in a few players if they are to cement their place amongst the Premier League’s top four.
After underwhelming league campaigns the prestigious trio of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea will pose greater threats to the Lilywhites next term, while West Ham United, Southampton and Everton will all get better too.
Arsenal are bound to buy after squandering their glorious opportunity to win the Premier League title, Manchester City have just recruited the most coveted coach in world football and Leicester City are…well…Leicester City.
With the qualification for next season’s Champions League a near mathematical certainty, Spurs are bound to have greater pulling power than ever before and, in order to avoid being swallowed up by the competition they simply must exploit this position.
If incomings are indeed on their way, Spurs’ already big squad will require some trimming, generating further funds to facilitate their shopping spree.
Reports at the back end of the week depicted Ryan Mason as the first makeweight in the overhaul, allegedly available for £6m, a price that quite rightly intrigues Bournemouth.
An England international who has proved himself capable in the Premier League, the reported fee seems more than fair, underlining Spurs’ intention to line their war chest before buying.
Based on this assumption, there’ll be plenty of bargains to be pilfered from Mauricio Pochettino’s second string, with these chief among them.
Nacer Chadli
Used almost exclusively as a back up this term, goal-getting number ten Chadli has started just ten of Spurs’ 36 league games to date.
Despite this lack of involvement, he has still found the net seven times across all competitions and with 30 caps for Belgium, has undeniably strong pedigree.
With incumbent number ten Dele Alli only going to improve, Chadli will grow even more marginalised and it’s hard to see Spurs fighting to keep him.
Alex Pritchard
Handing chances to youngsters has earned Pochettino ample plaudits, but Pritchard plays best in the creative capacity Christian Eriksen currently has locked down.
Having failed to break into West Bromwich Albion’s team during a half-season loan spell, he’s unlikely to make waves at White Hart Lane, but as a gifted English talent, he’s sure to fetch a decent fee.
Erik Lamela
The Argentine has improved dramatically this term and is by no means a squad player, but a return of four league goals and a further eight assists in the Premier League’s top-scoring team to date is not the return of a world-class attacking-midfielder.
Spurs certainly need those if they are to return to the hunt for top honours next term and there has never been a better time to sell Lamela than when his value has inflated on the back of his best season since signing from Roma.
