- Aug 27, 2013
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Its that time of year again. January transfers are done, and no matter how we finish the season, we have a big summer in front of us. Based on most of the ITK we got in January, the club have been, and continue to work on deals for the summer.
So, what is on your wish list?
GK: Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga
Lloris will lead the squad into the new stadium. I think Vorm is out of contract this summer, and wants to go home. We have heard some links back to Pau Lopez, who is also out of contract this summer. Gazzaniga presumably stays as 3rd Keeper
RB: Aurier, Trippier, Walker-Peters
One of these players is likely to go, and its probably not Aurier. The one caveat is Walker-Peters' versatility in playing LB - but I think its unfair to him to keep him as essentially a 5th FB. He needs to play, and preferably on the right side. So, I think we will make a decision there - keep Trippier, send KWP out on loan, or sell Trippier, and use KWP as 2nd RB.
CB: Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Foyth, (CCV)
The only question marks here are Toby's new deal, and whether we bring CCV back into the fold. If Toby does not sign a new deal, I can see him sold this summer. After a great run last year with a 3-man back line, we seem to be settling back into a 4-man back, with just the 2 CBs. Sanchez' emergence has provided a bit of a safety net if Toby does leave this summer. CCV is an interesting case, because it appears that he struggled with the 3-man back line, but plays better in a CB pairing - could see him come back as a back-up in the right situation. But, if Toby stays, CCV will be loaned and/or sold this summer.
LB: Rose, Davies
Rose is the one itching to leave for a big payday. Hard to tell if he would get it, given his recent injury history. I think we only sell for a massive payment, and use those funds to bring in a LB replacement (probably not Sessegnon, who seems slotted for a more advanced position).
DM: Dier, Wanyama
Dier is the favourite scapegoat of the moment, but he is one of the first names on Poch's team sheet. Having said that, I think Toby, may hold the key to his future. Dier is convinced he is a DM, Poch is convinced Dier is a CB. Given that Dier assumes his path to the WC squad is at DM, that is where he will play most matches - keeps him happy. But, next year, I think everyone starts with a blank slate - Dier will no longer be insecure about making the WC team, and has 4 years to establish himself as a CB on the England squad. So, if Toby is sold, I can see Dier moving to CB and competing with Sanchez and Vertonghen for a spot. Wanyama had bad luck with his injury this season, and probably will have to be content as Dier's deputy at the primary DM spot. But I could see him taking on this role next season. If Dier moves to CB - we will probably look for a back-up to Wanyama.
CM: Dembele, Winks, Sissoko (Onomah)
If there is one position where we might spend big, is to bring in a long-term replacement for Dembele. On his day, Dembele is still unplayable, unfortunately those days are becoming fewer and further between. Not sure Dembele has to go, but we need a plan for the future here - someone to pair with Winks. Winks is in an awkward position - earning an England call-up, but also injury setbacks. Long-term, I think he has a role to play in as a deep-lying playmaker, and my wish list would include bringing Modric back to help mentor him. But, a lot depends on what Poch wants from the CM pairing - and who, if anyone we bring in to replace Dembele - strong bully type, or more agile like a Winks. Hard to see Onomah here next season - he still needs to be playing, so another loan seems like his best option for his own future (and Spurs future). Surely Sissoko will be sold to raise funds, if nothing else.
AMs/Wingers: Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lucas, Lamela, GKN (Edwards)
How we set-up really matters here. But, early indications are that we still want Malcom in the summer. Assuming that is true, and we can get that across the finish line, seems like at best, we would be looking for an Eriksen deputy - but Edwards still may be heard on that, if he can have a big impact at Norwich. Lamela could also be in line as Eriksen's back-up. If not, and we do get Malcom, I think Coco will head back to Italy. GKN seems likely to be sold in any event. I am assuming no other sales here - I think we hold onto Eriksen and Dele, no matter the offers, as we head into the new stadium.
Striker: Kane, Llorente, Janssen
Kane is going nowhere for the foreseeable future. There is no club in the world that could afford to pay what he is worth to Spurs on and off the pitch. Kane's back-up however, is becoming something of a running comedy. Assuming we can get Malcom - or a similar player, I think we will go with one of Janssen or Llorente - but I can see both wanting to be sold, Llorente back to Spain, and Janssen somewhere where he can play regularly. Which means we will bring in yet another back-up who will probably struggle with inconsistent playing time. Maybe we should have gone for Giroud - he seems to thrive as a super-sub...
Bottom line:
IN: CM, AM/Winger, back-up keeper, back-up Striker
OUT: Sissoko, Vorm, Llorente, Janssen, GKN
OUT Depending on INs/offers: Lamela, Dembele
It has been suggested that we could make a big acquisition with commercial implications - which, to me, really just means someone who can draw more fans to the stadium and sell more shirts. Obvious candidates would be bringing back Bale or Modric, signing Pulisic - but I don't see any of those as realistic targets. Even with a new wage structure, Bale and Modric would be tough to justify the wages. And I think all of the big clubs in Europe will be after Pulisic for the same reasons - improve marketing potential in the US. I just think some team will pay stupid money for him, and that is not Levy's style.
So, what is on your wish list?
GK: Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga
Lloris will lead the squad into the new stadium. I think Vorm is out of contract this summer, and wants to go home. We have heard some links back to Pau Lopez, who is also out of contract this summer. Gazzaniga presumably stays as 3rd Keeper
RB: Aurier, Trippier, Walker-Peters
One of these players is likely to go, and its probably not Aurier. The one caveat is Walker-Peters' versatility in playing LB - but I think its unfair to him to keep him as essentially a 5th FB. He needs to play, and preferably on the right side. So, I think we will make a decision there - keep Trippier, send KWP out on loan, or sell Trippier, and use KWP as 2nd RB.
CB: Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Foyth, (CCV)
The only question marks here are Toby's new deal, and whether we bring CCV back into the fold. If Toby does not sign a new deal, I can see him sold this summer. After a great run last year with a 3-man back line, we seem to be settling back into a 4-man back, with just the 2 CBs. Sanchez' emergence has provided a bit of a safety net if Toby does leave this summer. CCV is an interesting case, because it appears that he struggled with the 3-man back line, but plays better in a CB pairing - could see him come back as a back-up in the right situation. But, if Toby stays, CCV will be loaned and/or sold this summer.
LB: Rose, Davies
Rose is the one itching to leave for a big payday. Hard to tell if he would get it, given his recent injury history. I think we only sell for a massive payment, and use those funds to bring in a LB replacement (probably not Sessegnon, who seems slotted for a more advanced position).
DM: Dier, Wanyama
Dier is the favourite scapegoat of the moment, but he is one of the first names on Poch's team sheet. Having said that, I think Toby, may hold the key to his future. Dier is convinced he is a DM, Poch is convinced Dier is a CB. Given that Dier assumes his path to the WC squad is at DM, that is where he will play most matches - keeps him happy. But, next year, I think everyone starts with a blank slate - Dier will no longer be insecure about making the WC team, and has 4 years to establish himself as a CB on the England squad. So, if Toby is sold, I can see Dier moving to CB and competing with Sanchez and Vertonghen for a spot. Wanyama had bad luck with his injury this season, and probably will have to be content as Dier's deputy at the primary DM spot. But I could see him taking on this role next season. If Dier moves to CB - we will probably look for a back-up to Wanyama.
CM: Dembele, Winks, Sissoko (Onomah)
If there is one position where we might spend big, is to bring in a long-term replacement for Dembele. On his day, Dembele is still unplayable, unfortunately those days are becoming fewer and further between. Not sure Dembele has to go, but we need a plan for the future here - someone to pair with Winks. Winks is in an awkward position - earning an England call-up, but also injury setbacks. Long-term, I think he has a role to play in as a deep-lying playmaker, and my wish list would include bringing Modric back to help mentor him. But, a lot depends on what Poch wants from the CM pairing - and who, if anyone we bring in to replace Dembele - strong bully type, or more agile like a Winks. Hard to see Onomah here next season - he still needs to be playing, so another loan seems like his best option for his own future (and Spurs future). Surely Sissoko will be sold to raise funds, if nothing else.
AMs/Wingers: Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lucas, Lamela, GKN (Edwards)
How we set-up really matters here. But, early indications are that we still want Malcom in the summer. Assuming that is true, and we can get that across the finish line, seems like at best, we would be looking for an Eriksen deputy - but Edwards still may be heard on that, if he can have a big impact at Norwich. Lamela could also be in line as Eriksen's back-up. If not, and we do get Malcom, I think Coco will head back to Italy. GKN seems likely to be sold in any event. I am assuming no other sales here - I think we hold onto Eriksen and Dele, no matter the offers, as we head into the new stadium.
Striker: Kane, Llorente, Janssen
Kane is going nowhere for the foreseeable future. There is no club in the world that could afford to pay what he is worth to Spurs on and off the pitch. Kane's back-up however, is becoming something of a running comedy. Assuming we can get Malcom - or a similar player, I think we will go with one of Janssen or Llorente - but I can see both wanting to be sold, Llorente back to Spain, and Janssen somewhere where he can play regularly. Which means we will bring in yet another back-up who will probably struggle with inconsistent playing time. Maybe we should have gone for Giroud - he seems to thrive as a super-sub...
Bottom line:
IN: CM, AM/Winger, back-up keeper, back-up Striker
OUT: Sissoko, Vorm, Llorente, Janssen, GKN
OUT Depending on INs/offers: Lamela, Dembele
It has been suggested that we could make a big acquisition with commercial implications - which, to me, really just means someone who can draw more fans to the stadium and sell more shirts. Obvious candidates would be bringing back Bale or Modric, signing Pulisic - but I don't see any of those as realistic targets. Even with a new wage structure, Bale and Modric would be tough to justify the wages. And I think all of the big clubs in Europe will be after Pulisic for the same reasons - improve marketing potential in the US. I just think some team will pay stupid money for him, and that is not Levy's style.