Don’t forget player improvement

[coys200]

I know everybody is keen for 2 or 3 new faces. But after looking at the squad for me it’s clear to see that a number of players could push on next season. Therefore we should be quite optimistic about some natural growth that will come. When you consider Pochettino history of improving players along with the fact many of our best players are entering their peak years. There’s almost reason to be optimistic on 2/3 of the squad being better players this season.

Lloris-WC winning captain confidence on high
Trippier-WC went to another level
Aurier- full pre season
Sanchez- good WC another year older
Foyth- Hopefully ready
Toby- a solution found/ or sold
Rose- return to full fitness
Davies- continue yr on yr improvement
Dier- WC semi finalist captained England approaching peak yrs
Wanyama- regain full fitness
Winks- regain full fitness
Moura- full pre season already looking good
Lamela- full fitness
Son- peak yrs
Eriksen- peak yrs
Dele- still just 22 with a wealth of experience
Kane- WC golden boot peak yrs

Ok it’s a basic evaluation but you get the idea there’s potential for a lot of improvement. Of course it won’t all come good but hopefully enough to push us on even without new faces. Tbh I don’t see too many negatives apart from obvious dembele bit older and Llorente/sissoko not quite up to it. Also you can add in the experience added by 9 World Cup semi finalists. All in all I don’t feel as panicked about signings as I did. The general message is don’t underestimate a cohesive unit and how a squad can improve with quality training.

 

[Johnny J]

It's a good sentiment, but most other clubs' players should also be improving.

And it sounds like Wanyama and Winks are some way off full fitness. Dembele is another perennial worry. Which possibly leaves Dier and Sissoko as the only senior midfielders we can rely on, aside from any new signings there.

 

[popstar7]

I think there's something in that. We've had a settled group for three-four seasons now and that in itself has benefits. The fact that many of them are moving from their early to mid-20s and, in theory, into their peak years shouldn't do any harm either. It doesn't happen often that you get that at a club - I can think of George Graham's early years at Arse, Ferguson's United in the 90s. Liverpool under Roy Evans also in the 90s, but without the same success ultimately. It's good to see - feels honest, rather than a team full of 29-year-old stars as Chelsea and United are putting out, few of whom have any great connection to the club or supporters.

 

[dontcallme]

For me this is the joy of having a young squad and a manager who isn’t spend happy.

Alli and Dier have had a down period after a good start.

Really hope the manager can get them to the next level.

 

[coys200]

It's a good sentiment, but most other clubs' players should also be improving.

And it sounds like Wanyama and Winks are some way off full fitness. Dembele is another perennial worry. Which possibly leaves Dier and Sissoko as the only senior midfielders we can rely on, aside from any new signings there.

I doubt you’d find as many potential improvers in other squads apart from probably city.

 

[Johnny J]

I doubt you’d find as many potential improvers in other squads apart from probably city.

I'm not sure how that's quantifiable, but one view would be that less-good players have more scope to improve than better ones, and henfe more potential improvement.

 

[dontcallme]

I'm not sure how that's quantifiable, but one view would be that less-good players have more scope to improve than better ones, and henfe more potential improvement.

Not sure about that.

Eriksen has arguably moved up to a world class level.

Sanchez, Alli and some of our other young players look like they have another level in them.

 

[coys200]

I'm not sure how that's quantifiable, but one view would be that less-good players have more scope to improve than better ones, and henfe more potential improvement.

Not really there are players you watch that you know they’ve pretty much hit their ceiling. Where as when you look at Sanchez Foyth winks Dier moura dele Son it feels like there’s is more to come. Tbh after Trippier’s World Cup anything seems possible. For me if Sanchez Foyth winks go on to be world class I wouldn’t be surprised.

 

[hellava_tough]

I think there's a 'monster' season lurking in Kane, where he scores 40+ league goals

The guy has consistently improved his PL goals tally year on year; 21, 25, 29, 30

He's only 25 yrs old* so hasn't reached his peak years yet and added to that there have been injury spells during the last few seasons, and his usual rubbish August period

If some of that changes for the positive, the results could be even more spectacular than we're previously seen

*Happy birthday for yesterday Harry

 

[hellava_tough]

Hugo may or may not have reached his peak. 31 isn't old for a goalkeeper. Time will tell. Vertonghen and Alderweireld couldn't be much better than they are. Not sure what more you could ask of them. Dier, Alli and Kane who established themselves in 2015/16 this season is probably critical. Kane I don't really have any doubts - he's absolutely focused on being as good as he can be. The other two, I think this is a pivotal season - Alli is still so young, ten years minimum ahead of him at the top if he wants it. What kind of a player does he want to be? What level of player? Dier? 24 - what's your position? Where are you going to play for the next five years?

Lamela, for all his qualities, hasn't been the player we thought we were buying. 26 now. Is he a hard-working, team-oriented, pressing midfielder or a finally injury-free goal-scoring/assisting attacking midfielder?

Aurier, Davies, Trippier, Rose. Happy to be regularly rotated at a top four PL club? Or determined to be first choice every week? All mid-20s, all with their career-defining years right in front them.

And probably the biggest question (for me): Eriksen. Are you the guy who knits it all together and enjoys being the maestro at a second-tier club and coasts till you're 30? Do you want to be (can you be) the guy who turns a second tier club into a first-tier one? Or do you want to be second or even first fiddle at Barca or Madrid? All options probably still available at 26.

100% spot on

I think Dele's got so much talent, but he went off the boil a bit last season, compared to the one before (which may be understandable). He needs to choose a position and work at making it his.

I have a feeling that there's going to be a shake-up in formation this season; Eriksen could even be moved into CM, which would leave the number 10 position free. Could Alli player there, with the quicker players (Moura, Son, potentially Zaha) out wide?

Depends on a lot of things, not least the situation after the transfer window closes.

 

[JimmyG2]

Take down the Marquee
Put our money away Daniel.
We're doing it differently
and it's working!
Let's not change horses in midstream.
Been saying this for months.
Years actually.
Come home to your Uncle Jimmy.

Never identified and felt as much pride
in the club and the players
in nearly 70 years a fan and supporter.

Build it don't buy it.

 

[rossdapep]

Take down the Marquee
Put our money away Daniel.
We're doing it differently
and it's working!
Let's not change horses in midstream.
Been saying this for months.
Years actually.
Come home to your Uncle Jimmy.

Never identified and felt as much pride
in the club and the players
in nearly 70 years a fan and supporter.

Build it don't buy it.

Can we do a bit of both?

 

[JimmyG2]

Can we do a bit of both?

Nope.
Stick with the so far successful plan
The one undercuts the other.
It's like being a bit offside or a bit pregnant.

When we run out of road back up and try another route.

Believe!

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

100% spot on

I think Dele's got so much talent, but he went off the boil a bit last season, compared to the one before (which may be understandable). He needs to choose a position and work at making it his.

I have a feeling that there's going to be a shake-up in formation this season; Eriksen could even be moved into CM, which would leave the number 10 position free. Could Alli player there, with the quicker players (Moura, Son, potentially Zaha) out wide?

Depends on a lot of things, not least the situation after the transfer window closes.

Alli is a conundrum as he can spend the majority of the game being so frustrating but then pop up with a fantastic goal or assist.
If he can start to be less wasteful in possession and not fall to the floor so easily then he can become a top top player.

 

[Khilari]

New players are important however - they are often the challenge needed by our current players to improve.

 

[coys200]

But the pattern is at least consistent. Every season under Poch at least 2 or 3 players have really kicked on to another level. Last season was Davies Eriksen Son with Trippier added for his WC. I see no reason why it shouldn’t continue this season.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Is this what it has come down to now. We can't even sigh championship players, so the last straw we are clutching at is imaginative improvements in the present squad.

Here is the thing, we need CM reinforcements, we have needed CM reinforcements for 12 months, and we are not getting CM reinforcements, and whatever fictive improvement in the 5th choice AM won't make up for the fact that we are neglecting a vital part of the starting 11.

 

[tiger666]

Here is the thing, we need CM reinforcements, we have needed CM reinforcements for 12 months, and we are not getting CM reinforcements

We won't know that until the transfer window shuts.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

We won't know that until the transfer window shuts.

Speak for your self.

 

[thebenjamin]

Actually think the opposite for this season. Players don't just improve on an upward curve infinitely. They have dips in form and condition. Mental tiredness.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kane and Eriksen in particular have dips this season. You can keep playing so many games for club and country without a toll being taken.

Adding to this half our squad will have no pre season so they'll never be properly fit and rested, I think quite a few of our established players will suffer this season.