Tottenham’s timid display at Leicester highlighted their need to bring in reinforcements and manager Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful of concluding a deal next week.
Up until the moment Nacer Chadli clipped in a lovely curling cross for substitute Dele Alli to head home in the 81st minute, Spurs were hugely disappointing at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Pochettino’s side were pedestrian, ponderous, leggy and uninspiring in the final third. Indeed, for long periods, they were lacklustre in the extreme.
Harry Kane, Tottenham’s top scorer last season with 32 goals in all competitions, cut a frustrated figure as a lone striker as he still searches for his first goal of the campaign.
Despite being just three games into the new Barclays Premier League season, it is clear Kane needs help. So far he has been a shadow of the striker who burst on to the scene around 12 months ago.
West Brom forward Saido Berahino, left out of the Albion squad against Chelsea on Sunday because he was not in the right frame of mind to play, is expected to be the subject of a second bid by Tottenham and he would bring some much-needed pace to the Spurs forward line.
Pochettino, who was pleased with how Kane played at Leicester, would not be drawn on his interest in any specific targets but revealed he does hope to add to his squad before the transfer window closes.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“(Kane) worked really hard and I am happy with his performance,” the Argentinian said after the 1-1 draw.
“He played with (Erik) Lamela and Chadli and then with Dele Alli to help him but I thought it was a good performance.”
Asked if he thought Kane had looked isolated against Leicester, Pochettino replied: “No, no because you can see he had some chances. He played with Chadli, Lamela, and then with Dele Alli on the pitch I think we created some more chances.
“We are looking (for new players). I think we always need to have the balance of the squad and we have some targets and maybe in the next few days we can help the team a little bit more.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino said Clinton Njie could be available to make his debut against Everton next week.
“He was in France for his work permit and maybe next week he will be available. First, he needs to train more with the group,” he added.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri praised his side’s character following their instant response to falling behind against Spurs.
There were just 25 seconds between Alli’s headed opener and Riyad Mahrez’s lovely curled, left-foot finish.
“I was very satisfied with the way we reacted to conceding,” said Ranieri.
“Against good teams, one mistake can lead to a goal and we were disappointed when Tottenham scored. We needed to respond.
“Our fans were fantastic, they supported the players and in 25 seconds Riyad scored again.”
The draw left Leicester top of the table ahead of the Sunday and Monday fixtures, but Ranieri insisted the club’s target is still to ensure their Premier League status for another season.
“It’s not important for us to be top of the league,” said the Italian.
“It’s important to have seven points and to look to achieve the 40 points very soon.
“This is our first target and we must achieve this very early.”
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
