Former Tottenham midfielder Steffen Freund has given his opinion on what the Lilywhites need to do this summer to get back competing near the top end of the Premier League table.
Two successive 17th-placed finishes are unacceptable for a club of Spurs’ stature, but things could have been even worse, with the North Londoners only staying up on the final day of the season.
The Tottenham hierarchy have made it clear that Roberto De Zerbi will be backed with the resources he needs this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of dealing with the rigours of the Premier League.
In fact, reports indicate that Spurs are wasting no time in getting experienced players through the door as they go about reshaping their squad.
Steffen Freund claims Tottenham already have a strong squad
Despite back-to-back 17th-place finishes, Freund has asserted that Tottenham already possess two quality Premier League players for each position.
He admitted, however, that Spurs have a lot of work to do this summer, suggesting that Roberto De Zerbi first needs to make a final decision on which players to keep at the club.
When asked what areas Tottenham need to prioritise adding to this summer, Freund told Betway: “As an example, if you sell Xavi Simons or Mathys Tel, then the question is who will be brought in instead? That’s a question I can’t answer. That’s Roberto De Zerbi’s job and that’s why it’s so difficult.
“What is happening with the captain Cristian Romeo and the likes of Micky van de Ven? If they’re staying, you can build the defence around them. In my opinion they already have two good Premier League players in each position. The question is, which player is number one and which player can leave? Then you can make the decision on if you have to buy a top-class player or a team player that brings balance.
“If I’m De Zerbi, I’m checking the whole squad for how many players I need to be successful in the Premier League and the two cups. From there I would see which players have to stay. That would lead to discussions with the board or Johan Lange around player contracts or academy players potentially stepping up. It’s going to be a hard-working summer for Spurs, and it will take everyone at the club to bring a really good team together.
“As a former youth team coach, bring youngsters in. Archie Gray as a youngster, when the whole team struggled a few months ago, was the only one to put his body in. That’s why he deserved to stay.”
Freund wants Spurs to raid their London rivals
Over recent days, we have heard that Tottenham are plotting a move for Crysencio Summerville after West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
Additionally, Spurs are also monitoring the situation of Jarred Bowen, who could exit the London Stadium following the club’s relegation.
Freund suggested that it would make sense for Tottenham to poach West Ham players, given that the Hammers stars are already settled in London.
When asked if there are any West Ham players Spurs should target after their signing of Mohammed Kudus last summer, the 56-year-old responded: “I think it’s always an option. Can you imagine if Spurs went down, how many Premier League clubs would look at Spurs players? There are too many players that have the quality to play in the Premier League. But it doesn’t mean that they will be successful.
“I don’t like to say any names because for West Ham it’s really disappointing to go down. Of course, I’m happy as former Spurs that they stayed in the league, but I would congratulate West Ham if they stayed up and Spurs lost against Everton – that’s football.
“But Spurs supporters are always behind the club and West Ham supporters, the Hammers, are always sticking together. I can remember it happened in the past and they came back. That’s why it is always a good option with transfers because the players are living in London already, so they don’t have to move their families or maybe the children in school, but I don’t think it’s good to say any names. That’s down to De Zerbi and Johan Lange.”