The regression, loss, and potential loss of three players should concern every Tottenham fan.
January didn’t go well for Tottenham. The squad was knocked out of two cup competitions, lost several players to injuries, and (as of the writing of this article) didn’t acquire players during the transfer window. Given what has happened, Mauricio Pochettino, Daniel Levy, and Tottenham fans will now focus on the continuing (and perhaps futile) attempt at the Premier League summit and upcoming Champions League last 16 matches.
At least that’s one way of looking at the situation. Another way is to ask: Is this the beginning of the end?
The outcome of the two cup competitions let Tottenham fans frustrated. Hotspurs lost on penalties to a Chelsea team that is teetering on the edge of another player-managerial fallout–a fallout that could signify the end of Maurizio Sarri’s tenure. Then Tottenham was knocked out by middling Crystal Palace. The hammer blow came from a player Pochettino snubbed two years ago.
Yes, Harry Kane is world class. Any team would have difficulty replacing a World Cup player and two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner. But it’s almost impossible to find a good player willing to be Kane’s understudy, that is, playing mostly after Kane is stretchered off.
Despite that circumstance, Fernando Llorente is a perfect fit. He’s a player with genuine quality and the experience of playing in big competitions in the twilight of his career.
Pochettino faces challenges in Tottenham (photo, football.co.uk)
If Tottenham want to win trophies, then they need to strengthen the midfield and defense. So far this season, they have conceded 23 goals in 23 games in Premier League contests. In 2015-16 when they leveled a title challenge and came second to Chelsea, they conceded 26 goals the entire campaign.
Defense wins trophies. That conclusion is made more apparent by Liverpool’s current standing at the top spot of the Premier League. After 23 games, Liverpool have conceded only 13 goals. That’s why the team is a serious title contender.
Comparing the 2015-16 Tottenham team with today’s crew, you’ll find little disparity, especially in the attacking end with Kane, Erikson, Alli, Son, and Lamela all involved heavily. And the team has survived several transfer windows in which critics warned that the Tottenham team would be picked apart by the upper echelons of Europe’s top leagues. That didn’t happen, though–a testament to the environment Pochettino has created.
It’s showing again this year. Tottenham had recorded their best Premier League showing, collecting 51 points through 23 matches.
But I believe this team is at its peak. Investments must be made. Otherwise, Hotspurs will be on course for a return to the 2000s–a time when Tottenham weren’t able to compete for the Premier League’s top four and vie for the title.
The biggest problem is their over-reliance on a few players. I don’t mean the usual suspects–Kane, Erikson, Son, and All. I’m talking about Moussa Dembele, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen–all of whom are marching towards the end of their Tottenham careers. Without adequate replacements, the impact will be catastrophic for Pochettino.
Moussa Dembele (photo, HITC)
Moussa Dembele, a player who was integral to Tottenham’s recent success, has already moved away from White Hart Lane/Wembley. He was the centerpiece and, at many points, the architect of this Tottenham team–a player who has been lauded as the best player by peers and described as a genius by his manager.
However, injuries have caused his influence and involvement to diminish, and Tottenham have been a weaker team because of it. He could control the midfield, break down the opposition’s attack, and put the opposing team on its back foot. He did all of that with an impressive combination of flair and power, physicality, and panache. And he did it, in a phrase, “The Tottenham Way.”
His departure leaves a gaping hole in the midfield that will not be easy or cheap to fill. Harry Winks is an excellent young player with the potential to reach and, perhaps, even surpass Dembele’s abilities. However, for Tottenham to keep their current squad together, the team must buy fully established players with game-changing talent.
Think about it. When Manchester City recognized that they had issues with their fullbacks, they didn’t buy youth with the intention of developing them. Instead, they spent 100 million pounds on two fully established fullbacks. Tottenham must follow suit.
Another major strength for Hotspurs has been the defensive duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. The two Belgium centre-backs have formed a formidable partnership at both the club and national level. However, in a vein similar to Dembele, a drop in performance and potential transfers could see this partnership split up.
Toby Alderweireld (photo, TEAMtalk)
Toby Alderweireld has enjoyed a successful career for Tottenham, starting with being voted to the PFA team of the year in his very first season. In the 2015/16 season, Tottenham conceded the fewest number of goals in the club’s history, and Alderweireld contributed mightily to that success.
He is now considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and there’s speculation surrounding his future with Hotspurs. Last summer, Manchester United was rumored to be interested in acquiring his services.
However, much has changed since then. Alderweireld refused to sign a new contract, and that action forced Tottenham to activate a clause in his contract that extends his time with the club by a year. It also simultaneously activated a buyout clause set at £25 million.
In today’s market with continually escalating transfer fees–and average players fetching extortionate figures–that valuation will attract other clubs. That’s why I expect Alderweireld to depart Tottenham during the summer transfer window.
Jan Vertonghen (photo, Daily Star)
Jan Vertonghen has been equally impressive–voted to PFA team of the year, and being selected as Tottenham’s player of the year. But I believe that playing alongside Alderweireld has papered over some of the cracks in his game.
That’s partly because of age and partly because of an intense playing schedule. Vertonghen is a year older than his partner, and he plays almost 50 games a year across all competitions.
I’m not saying that he’ll be washed up at the end of 2019. I believe that age and ‘extensive mileage’ is accumulating and will (eventually) catch up with him. And the critical matter for Tottenham is that it might happen as soon as next year–if his world-class partner leaves the team.
When you add it up, the regression, loss, and potential loss of this trio should concern every Tottenham fan. Replacing world-class talent is no mean feat, either. It’s an expensive proposition, especially for a club that’s not in the echelon of big spenders and one that’s experiencing a less than successful stadium upgrade.
Don’t get me wrong! I admire what Pochettino has achieved and what Tottenham have created. It’s a team with excellent scouting and asset acquisition, a club that has spent little but has gotten a quality return on its investments.
That approach is to be admired. But losing these three players–and not adequately replacing them–could see the end of what we’ve come to expect from this Tottenham team.
With both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich expected to have major squad transformations this summer, large amounts of money will enter the transfer market.
Yes, in an idyllic situation this squad remains together, continues to challenge, and plays attractive football for Tottenham fans to enjoy. But let’s face it: clubs are talent-hungry and big-money teams have the cash to pay for it.
I very much want to see Tottenham continue playing as they play currently. I think that makes for a more exciting Premier League, too. But as a realist, I predict that Tottenham will be a very different club … and soon.
