With the World Cup over and the transfer window in full swing, the 2014/15 Premier League campaign is nearly upon us. In fact it’s just 24 days away, which is probably just enough time to watch all the highlights from last season to remind you how amazing it was.
Luckily, next term could be equally as exciting, with Arsenal finally splashing the cash, Manchester City determined to produce a much better title defence than last time, Manchester United welcoming a new manager in Louis van Gaal and Chelsea seemingly only growing ever stronger under Jose Mourinho.
Tottenham could be set to cause a few surprises too with a new gaffer at the helm in Mauricio Pochettino, who will be keen to get the best out of the Lilywhites’ struggling stars from summer 2013.
With that in mind, we take a look at what Spurs’ starting XI might look like next season.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON POCHETTINO TO REVEAL ALL
[/ffc-gallery]
GOALKEEPER – HUGO LLORIS
//www.youtube.com/embed/lcPQqqxtIy8?rel=0
France international Hugo Lloris has emerged as one of the most impressive goalkeepers in the Premier League since joining Spurs from Lyon in summer 2012, dazzling fans, pundits and potential suitors alike with his aggressive sweeper-keeper style.
His shot-stopping is of an exceptionally high standard too, this talismanic performance against Newcastle being a classic example:
So it’s good news that, following a season in which the 28 year-old alluded that his future might lay away from White Hart Lane, the Lilywhites have tied him down to a five-year deal:
RIGHT BACK – KYLE WALKER
Kyle Walker has continually disappointed since his stunning inaugural campaign in the Tottenham first team.
But nobody can doubt the kid has talent, this free kick – his only goal of the 2013/14 season – being a perfect example:
Mauricio Pochettino inspired good performances out of a number of young full-backs at Southampton and he’ll feel he can do the same with the 24 year-old.
Furthermore, the England international’s blistering pace has become vital for Spurs in defence and going forward, as demonstrated in the below video:
//www.youtube.com/embed/29NhCh44XAw?rel=0
CENTRE-BACK – MEHDI BENATIA
With Michael Dawson outstaying his White Hart Lane welcome and Younes Kaboul an equally suspect defender, the Lilywhites are keen to add a new centre-back to the mix this summer.
And one target they’ve been continually linked with is emerging Serie A star Mehdi Benatia:
The 27 year-old has been in sensational form since joining Roma from Udinese last summer, as detailed below:
The Morocco international is quick, assertive in the air and pretty handy at the other end of the pitch, with five league goals for Giallorossi last season – including this strike against Sampdoria:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0YzXce3Hld0?rel=0
But the Serie A runners-up appear determined not to sell this summer, whilst interest from Manchester United and Chelsea could also prove an issue:
CENTRE-BACK – JAN VERTOGHEN
If there’s one jewel remaining in the Tottenham crown it’s undoubtedly centre-back Jan Vertonghen, a rumoured transfer target of Barcelona amongst others.
The 27 year-old seemed subdued at times last season, especially in his less-favoured left-back role. But a former member of the PFA Team of the Year, on his day Vertonghen is one of the most impressive defenders the Premier League has to offer.
Much of that is sourced from his ball-playing style and commitment to join the attack, illustrated perfectly in the below video:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LVgHB_IGKpk?rel=0
The arrival of a new left-back in north London (soon to be discussed) will see the Belgium international return to the heart of defence, and Daniel Levy allegedly plans to keep the suitors at bay with a new contract:
LEFT-BACK – BEN DAVIES
After enduring an entire campaign without a resident left-back, Tottenham have wasted no time this summer in swapping fringed midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea hotshot Ben Davies:
The 21 year-old was thrown in at the deep end when called upon to replace the highly-rate Neil Taylor after a leg break at the start of the 2012/13 campaign. But despite Taylor returning to fitness some time ago, the Wales international has been able to keep him out of the Swans first team ever since. He was in good form last season, as detailed below:
Davies may have not received the same level of attention as Luke Shaw in the Premier League, but their rises from relative obscurity and playing styles are remarkably similar. Here’s a look at Tottenham’s newest signing in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/n5fuKohbkuY?rel=0
He’ll already be a favourite with the Spurs faithful, having netted this effort against Arsenal at the start of last season:
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – PAULINHO
After a lukewarm first season at Tottenham and an incredibly disappointing World Cup, you can understand the urge to cash in on Paulinho, with Juventus reportedly lining the Brazil international up as a replacement for Arturo Vidal:
But the 25 year-old was impressive in patches last season, as detailed below, and another Premier League campaign could do him a world of good:
Furthermore, Paulinho was often the only Spurs midfielder prepared to link-up with misfiring striker Roberto Soldado last season:
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
Two deep-lying midfielders were essential to Mauricio Pochettino’s game-plan at Southampton, and keen to bring that plaudit-earning philosophy with him to Spurs, it’s believed the Argentine will return to his former club to sign midfield general Morgan Schneiderlin:
The France international has been a central factor in the Saints’ successes since their return to the Premier league in summer 2012. He netted five times in the 2012/13 campaign, and although failed to match that potency last season, remained in strong form, as detailed below:
That mixture of industriousness and tidiness on the ball earned the 24 year-old a spot in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad, but it’s also impressed Arsene Wenger, who is keen to bring Schneiderlin to Arsenal:
RIGHT WING – ERIK LAMELA
How to solve a problem like Erik Lamela? The Argentina international is Tottenham’s club record signing and tipped for a huge future, yet his first season in the Premier League was riddled with poor form and recurring injuries.
There have been rumours that the former Roma star could return to Serie A after finding no goals and just one assist in nine very uninspiring Premier League appearances:
But no doubt, the 22 year-old is a sensational talent. Just take a look at his top five goals for Giallorossi:
//www.youtube.com/embed/1TXT-wPwC2c?rel=0
Rather than cashing in, Spurs would prefer to get the best out of Lamela, which is surely part of the reason countrtyman Mauricio Pochettino was brought to White Hart Lane this summer.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD – CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Danish wonderkid Christian Eriksen can operate in virtually any position across the midfield, but if Tottenham wish to get the best out of him, the illusive playmaker needs to be utilised in a central role.
As you can see, the 22 year-old was in strong form last season and has transitioned well to the Premier League since leaving Ajax last summer:
For £11million, the former Eredivise star has proved to be a real coup. Here’s his highlights for the Lilywhites:
//www.youtube.com/embed/1Es1YXxI_Us?rel=0
After setting well in north London, now is the time for Tottenham to start building a team around Eriksen.
LEFT WING – JAY RODRIGUEZ
Another Southampton import Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring to White Hart Lane is England international Jay Rodriguez, (not to be confused with Hamez Rodriguez of course):
The 24 year-old had a stunning 2013/14 campaign as detailed below, before being stretchered off with an ACL injury in April and subsequently missing the World Cup:
Measuring in at 6 foot 1, the winger-forward comes with a powerful presence and can also operate as an out-and-out striker, making him a useful addition to the Tottenham attack.
And the Lilywhites stand a good chance of acquiring the £20million-rated attacker as he stalls on a new contract at St.Mary’s:
Here’s a look at Rodriguez’ best moments from last season:
//www.youtube.com/embed/e3adfleiWiE?rel=0
STRIKER – WILFRIED BONY
Tottenham have lacked an old-fashioned, powerful centre-forward for some time. Coincidentally, old-school No.9s of the Rickie Lambert mould became essential to Mauricio Pochettino’s philosophy at Southampton.
In result, it’s believed the Lilywhites will try to tempt Swansea star Wilfried Bony away from South Wales this summer:
The Ivory Coast international, who netted 37 times in 36 appearances during his final season at Vitesse Arnhem, has proved a revelation in the Premier League since joining the Swans last summer. Here’s a look at his vitals from the 2013/14 campaign:
The 25 year-old also bagged two goals for his country at the World Cup, including this header against Japan:
And according to the Metro, Spurs are now in ‘pole position’ to sign the £19million-rated striker.
