Pre-Season Preview: Tottenham Hotspur

After reaching last season’s Champions League final, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham look for silverware this time around.

The Argentine has made it very clear to his players that they must now act like a big club after their new stadium was opened last April. Defeat in the Champions League final to Liverpool hurt the Spurs boss and his team; once again the London side came so close to adding to a trophy cabinet that has been sparse in recent years.

A fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last season ensured that Tottenham would compete in the Champions League for the fourth consecutive year in their first full season back in N17.

Harry Kane remained the club’s top scorer last season with 24 in all competitions despite injuries as Heung-Min Son (20) and Lucas Moura (15) established themselves as key players for the Lilywhites.

Despite the Champions League final appearance, Tottenham ended the Premier League season in poor form and lost 13 times during last season’s campaign, a statistic that cannot be replicated if Pochettino’s men have ambitions of a title challenge.

Transfers

With the transfer window still open for just under a week and Daniel Levy in charge of transfer movements, Tottenham’s business may not be over just yet.

They had looked as though they would uncharacteristically do their business early, Jack Clarke and Tanguy Ndombele arriving on the same day in early July from Leeds and Lyon. Clarke returns to Elland Road on a season-long loan whilst Ndombele is expected to make a big impact after being highly-coveted during an impressive season in France.

Kieran Trippier and Vincent Janssen departed to Atletico Madrid and Monterrey in deals that suited all parties whilst Fernando Llorente and Michel Vorm were released.

Rumours continue to swirl on further incoming in north London as the futures of Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld continue to be remain uncertain.

The incomings also don’t look finished either as the deal for Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso continues to drag on, Sporting star Bruno Fernandes touted as an alternative in recent days.

Fixtures

Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a tough start to the season as Spurs travel away to both Manchester City and rivals Arsenal on match days two and four.

They kick off their season at home to promoted and free-spending Aston Villa and complete their first six with home fixtures against Newcastle and Crystal Palace alongside a difficult trip to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City.

Manager

Pochettino was asked on his goals for the season during Tottenham’s tour of Asia for the International Champions Cup:

“I think there are a lot of goals for the next season. Always it’s to win. We are so competitive. We are people who love to win. Same with the training session games. Our next goal for the next season is to first see how our squad is going to be and then settle our goals and perform in that way.”

Targets

Pochettino will, of course, want to add a trophy to his CV as he continues to transform Tottenham’s fortunes. If their Argentine manager can land transfer targets to add further quality and depth to his squad, he may finally have the resources required to push for the Premier League title.

Another run in the Champions League may be beyond them as they look to compete on all fronts with Spurs fans keen to make their new stadium a real fortress.

They will also target penning Eriksen and Alderweireld down to new deals should they remain at the club after next week’s transfer deadline although Tottenham fans’ eyes will be firmly fixed on who Daniel Levy can deliver in order to ensure that they the Lilywhites can stay ahead of rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.