Jamie Carragher believes Roberto De Zerbi’s men can surprise a lot of people this season as they have one big advantage over many of their rivals.
With the new campaign just four days away, there is a massive sense of excitement among Spurs fans, which belies the fact that the club avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.
The main reason for that excitement is Roberto De Zerbi, who has bought the fans and the club together since he walked through the door in April and has been backed so far this summer with his top targets.
The Tottenham boss has set his aim very high ahead of his first full season in charge, and one pundit believes he is right to do so.
Jamie Carragher says Tottenham have a big opportunity to qualify for the Champions League
A couple of days ago, Arsenal legend Alan Smith revealed that he expects Spurs to miss out on the top six, but Jamie Carragher disagrees.
The former Liverpool defender believes that Tottenham and Chelsea have a huge advantage over the other big clubs due to their lack of European football, and believes they could be serious contenders to finish in the Champions League spots.
The pundit said on the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate: “There’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea, without European football next season, to make a real fist of it. There are a lot of questions about Manchester United playing more European games.
“Iraola coming in as well at Liverpool, and Unai Emery and Aston Villa losing a lot of their best players, [there] in the Champions League as well. So, there’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea to get into those Champions League positions this season.”
Carragher believes Spurs made big promises to Roberto De Zerbi
Tottenham have changed their transfer strategy this summer, with all six of their new signings being Premier League-proven players, with many of them getting big contracts.
If reports are to be believed, Spurs are far from done in the transfer window, with the Lilywhites looking to add three new attackers to their squad before the window slams shut.
Reacting to Tottenham’s summer business so far, Carragher said: “Do you think the business that Tottenham have done and the money that they’ve spent – it was a little bit eye-opening, especially Tonali’s fee, you think, like £100 million.
“Do you think that comes from the power De Zerbi had and the hold he’s got on the club, in terms of – he wasn’t sure about coming in, they gave him a really big contract: if I stay, I want this, this, and this, or I’m going. It’s almost like they had to give him what he wants.”