‘Still unsure’ – Carragher argues only one Spurs signing improves the starting XI

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed that he does not see any of the new arrivals apart from Yves Bissouma improving the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI at this moment in time.

Tottenham have signed the likes of Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie (Fabrizio Romano) in this summer transfer window.

Such a great degree of early involvement in the market is uncharacteristic of Spurs considering their previous history under Daniel Levy and co.

Among the new additions, players like Perisic, Bissouma, Richarlison and Spence come in off the back of hugely impressive seasons last time around. Udogie is in a similar boat, but he will continue with Udinese for another campaign after Spurs decided to loan him back until next summer (BBC Sport).

Despite these circumstances, Carragher considers Bissouma to be the only improvement to the starting XI in Antonio Conte’s side at the moment. The former defender has doubts about the extent to which others have improved the team’s starting quality at this moment.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: “Conte can at least go into this weekend’s match knowing that his squad is in a better place now that it was in January, following the arrivals of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet and Djed Spence.”

“But I am still unsure as to how much these signings have really improved the starting lineup. Bissouma is a quality midfielder, and I expect him to be a regular starter, but aside from him, we might be looking at the same starting team that we saw in the second half of last season.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

Perisic and Bissouma are in serious contention to be starters, with Richarlison likely being a backup option considering how deadly the front three is at the moment. Spence needs time to get used to top-flight football, and he has a major challenge posed by Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal in the pecking order.

It is quite surprising to see Carragher completely ignore Perisic, who has had a fantastic season for Inter Milan in the 2021-22 campaign. Perisic was among the top performers for the Nerazzurri last time around, which makes it even more puzzling how Carragher believes Bissouma is the only player who is starter quality among the new signings.

Even with that, creating a squad involves finding the right balance, so it is unnecessary to sign starters in all cases.

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