da mrbet： While Leicester City will take the lion’s share of the plaudits when this most unpredictable of seasons finally comes to end, Tottenham Hotspur will no doubt deserve praise for their role in proceedings – regardless of the final outcome.
da realbet： Spurs have undergone an astonishing transition under Mauricio Pochettino, who has crafted a title-challenging team out of a host of dynamic young stars in just his second year in charge. It’s truly hard to judge just how long the current top two will last as title challengers in the years to come, such is the nature of this campaign, though few would doubt Spurs appear to be on a major upward trajectory under their Argentine boss.
Clearly, Champions League football will require some major arrivals at White Hart Lane, though the finely balanced squad currently on the books complicates things somewhat.
It is not as straightforward, if ever such a process can be called that, as making big money bids for good players over the summer. If only it was.
The personnel must be humble enough to fit into an exciting young squad who appear to lack big egos, while possessing the necessary dynamism and graft to work in the high pressing style Pochettino demands.
So, for Spurs to capitalise on this season and keep challenging for the title, there are certain criteria required when it comes to player recruitment. Otherwise they could have another summer of 2013 on their hands.
With that in mind, and one eye on the future, here are FIVE stars to make Tottenham Hotspur regular title challengers.
SAIDO BERAHINO
Realistically, it will be hard for the club to improve on Harry Kane as a first choice centre-forward. However, signing a striker who can ease the burden on the 22-year old England star could prove to be a masterstroke.
Saido Berahino has been the subject of intense media speculation for much of the last 12 months or so, with Spurs famously irking West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace over the summer with a number of bids.
However, the Baggies ace will soon have just 12 months to run on his deal at the Hawthorns, making a move away more likely than ever. Though questions about his attitude arose for his conduct in light of his failed move away, his recent return to form shows exactly why he is such a hot prospect.
The 22-year old is good enough to field in Kane’s absence should it be required and can provide an excellent partner if Pochettino fancies a change in style. He’s quick, clinical and has excellent movement across the frontline, making a potential partnership with Kane mouth-watering.
LORENZO INSIGNE
The finely balanced nature of this Spurs squad makes the addition of any big name European star a risky move. However, Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne could be exactly the sort of talent required to bridge the gap between the current squad and the Champions League.
The 24-year old Italian playmaker would be a joy to watch next to Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, as he’s able to pull wide when the pair run centrally off a centre-forward.
He has been in excellent form this season, scoring 12 goals and recording a further 11 assists for the Serie A hopefuls.
An Azzurri international, he boasts the mix of graft and guile necessary to fit into Pochettino’s system, as well as the appropriate versatility.
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM
Amid the terrible season endured by Newcastle United, Georginio Wijnaldum has proved to be a shining light. The Dutchman has been a wonderful goal scoring midfielder and looks a natural fit into the style adopted at White Hart Lane these days.
He has notched nine times from a variety of positions across the engine room, though his tenacity in winning the ball back could see him act as a deeper option, in a similar way to Mousa Dembele.
The 25-year old has struggled for consistency, though that can largely attributed to the side in which he plays and the amount of times he has been asked to perform a number of different roles.
Energetic enough to fit right into the ethos in North London, the former PSV skipper would look right at home at White Hart Lane.
JORDAN HENDERSON
Due to the quality of their central defensive partnership, goalkeeper and main striker, it’s hard for Spurs to bring in improvements ahead of next season.
That is not to say their midfield is lacking in class, though it is the one department of their squad that could use a number of arrivals.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is reportedly a target and is exactly the sort of athlete and tenacious midfielder that would flourish under Pochettino’s stewardship.
The England international excelled as a box-to-box option under Brendan Rodgers, doing enough to turn his perception as being a flop into being seen as captain material for the Reds.
His direct running and tireless work rate would make him a favourite at White Hart Lane, while his quality on the ball would certainly add another level of dynamism to the ranks.
JONATHAN CALLERI
While Berahino would be another centre-forward, who can operate as a second striker if needs be, Argentine forward Jonathan Calleri would be a more natural option in the role.
Clearly, Spurs’ success is built off the club’s penchant for hard work, though their attacking quality and flair players have pulled their weight.
Calleri impressed while at Boca Juniors, shining when deployed as an auxiliary forward as well as a right winger. Now with Sao Paolo, the fact the 22-year old’s registration is held by a third party group – who played a big role in a bizarre winter move to Deportivo Maldonado in the Uruguayan second division – should not put Spurs off.
West Ham have shown their is a market for young players in similar circumstances, such as Manuel Lanzini. Calleri is an exciting star who would certainly add quality in the final third going forward.