What was once a young and promising squad is now a team with under-performing players and lacking everything that made Spurs one of the best teams in the country. Next season is going to be a lot more financially tight for Premier League teams but with Levy well known for being frugal with money, could this play into Tottenham’s hands?
Looking through the team, it is clear that there are key areas that are lacking. I will be looking at each area of the pitch to see where we can realistically strengthen. I have looked at players whose contracts end in 2021 for the majority of the incomings in order to get some bargains.
Goalkeepers
Lloris – Realistically, he has performed well this season but at 33 probably only has one good season left in him.
Gazzaniga – A solid back up with some fans wanting him to start ahead of Hugo earlier in the season. Worth keeping.
Vorm – Release. A good servant to the club but not really necessary
Incoming
Donnarumma – The 21-year-old is already the current Italy goalkeeper and Spurs might be able to sign him by offering Hugo and cash in exchange.
Defenders
Toby – Has just signed a new contract and although he is not as brilliant as he once was, I don’t think he will be sold.
Jan – Likely to be released.
Rose – I think Spurs would do well to get £5m for him. Although, he could he be used in a player exchange for Saint-Maximin.
Davies – A solid if unspectacular left-back. Personally, I would sell him and I think he would be available for around £10million as transfermarkt have him rated at £15m.
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Dier – Has been in great form since the league restarted and Mourinho has mentioned before that he is a big fan. His ability to play in a range of positions makes him handy to keep although if his form drops again, it would be wise to sell.
Sanchez – I don’t think that he is good enough to play in a CB pair and has been at the club for three years but has not made enough progress. He is quick and thankfully this makes up for when he makes silly mistakes. He is valued at £43m via Transfermarkt but I think a bid of £30m would be good enough to sell.
Tanganga – Showed in his appearances that he is definitely worth keeping around and may be a starter next season.
Foyth – Has been at the club two full seasons and still not really shown any improvements from his first games. Spurs bought him for £8m and we are unlikely to profit if we sell him. I would loan him out to a lower Premier League team where he should get minutes, e.g. Crystal Palace.
Aurier – Seems to split the fan base as he can be excellent but more often than not, he makes silly mistakes and his crossing is poor. Is valued at £14m via Transfermarkt and Spurs would be lucky to get that for him in this window.
Walker-Peters – Has been unlucky to not stay at Spurs but, realistically, I don’t think he is good enough. Has done well at Southampton and could be a player exchange for Hojbjerg.
Carter-Vickers – Unfortunately, he has not reached his potential and Spurs should sell so he can make a home at another club. Would be good to use in a deal if we were signing a Championship player.
Incomings
Alex Telles – Has been at Porto for four years and may want a challenge. If he joined Spurs, he would undoubtedly be first choice. Could Spurs offer Aurier or Foyth along with cash to secure his signing?
Upamecano – Highly rated and has been at Red Bull for four years so might want to move. Would Spurs be able to offer Sanchez or Aurier and cash to get him to sign? He is rated at £40m via Transfermarkt so would take a lot of any transfer funds we have.
Hysaj – Once again another player linked with Spurs in the past (Sky Sports). Valued at £11m, a right-back that would likely improve the first team if he came in.
Midfielders
Ndombele – Another player who splits the fanbase. Our record signing and has incredible quality but doesn’t seem to be able to last on the pitch due to fitness concerns. If a large bid comes in for him then I can see him being sold, but hopefully not.
Sissoko – A hugely improved player but is he really good enough for Spurs? He is a good runner and can win the ball back but as soon as he gets 30-40 yards away from an opposition goal, he gets nervous and loses it. He is not a player I would actively look to sell but if we can replace him effectively then we should look to move him on. I think Spurs would be able to get £15m for him.
Gedson Fernandes – Hasn’t shown anything in his loan spell that says he is worth keeping. I would terminate the loan and give the minutes to a youth player instead.
Skipp – If we don’t finish in the European places then I would loan Skipp out to a lower Premier League team so he can have regular minutes, e.g. Southampton.
Harry Winks – While it is clear to see that he loves the club, is he really good enough for a top-four team? He is a jack of all trades but doesn’t really master anything. I think he is a good squad player but, if we get a bid of over £15m, I would take it.
Lo Celso – Realistically our best midfielder this season and someone that we should keep at all costs.
Luke Amos – Been at the club a long time and likely to be loaned out again but needs to be sold sooner or later so the club can get some money for him.
Dele – Once again a player who divides the fan base. If he can get back to his form when Jose first joined then he is definitely worth keeping. It would be awful to see him leave and thrive at a different team.
Incomings
Hojbjerg – He only has a year left and with KWP performing well, they might accept a swap deal.
Marten De Roon – A holding midfielder who is performing well for Atlanta.
Rakitic – He is an excellent player but at 32 is likely to be past his best but would be a good addition for the short term.
Modric – Been a brilliant player for Madrid and at 34 is definitely not going to be a long term player but would be great to see him come back and maybe tutor Winks.
Matuidi – Another short term player but he has won a range of trophies and would be a good addition.
Attacking Midfielders
Son – Has been in poor form recently but then so has everyone else. A brilliant player who we MUST keep if we are to be successful.
Lamela – Similar to Winks. It is obvious that he cares for the club and gives a good effort every game. However, is he good enough? His choice making is poor and if a bid of around £15m came in, I would let him go.
Steven Bergwijn – Has made a good start to his Spurs career. Must stay.
Lucas – On his day, a ridiculously good player. Fast with quick feet. An ideal attacking midfielder but too often he frustrates fans with his lack of composure. However, I would keep him and use him as an impact sub. Although, if an offer of £20m or more came, I would sell.
Sessegnon – A disappointing start. Realistically, I think Spurs need to loan him out to a lower Premier League side where he gets regular minutes. Maybe a loan back to Fulham if they get promoted.
Clarke – No idea what has happened to Jack Clarke. He looked excellent for Leeds when he joined Spurs but he hasn’t managed to get a solid first-team slot when on loan to any team. Maybe he needs a loan to a League 1 team to get his confidence back and I’m sure he would have some admirers at that level. Although, if we were offered £5m to sell him, I would take it!
Incomings
Willian – Has been linked with Spurs from various sources and apparently he works well with Jose. Despite his age, would be a great signing and he can take a free-kick.
Eze – A young prospect from QPR and would be a cheaper option. Has lots of pace but is far from the finished article. The sort of deal that Levy loves. Could possibly offer Clarke and Amos as a swap.
Depay – Despite his previous Premier League experience not going so well, maybe a fresh attempt would be beneficial. Despite playing for United in 2017, he is now three years older and maybe wiser.
Strikers
Kane – Can we keep hold of him? He loves the club but won’t stay if we aren’t making progress. Signings need to be made to keep him.
Parrott – If he is not going to play any minutes, then we need to loan him out. Realistically, to a top Championship team. Preferably, a team that is aiming for promotion through the play-offs, e.g. Derby.
Incoming
Cavani – Could join in this window, he is 33 but has been at PSG for seven years and might want to try the Premier League before he retires.
Milik – Has been linked with Spurs for a while (Daily Mail) and has been at Napoli for four years. He is the second-best striker for Poland and would be a solid addition, although he could be costly.
Antonio – Can play in any position. A modern-day James Milner. He has played for West Ham for a while now and might want to push on to a better level. If West Ham get relegated then he will be more likely to leave, although as the teams are London rivals, he may not want to upset their fans.
If I was to have a starting eleven from signings who are out of contact before 2021:
Donnarumma
Hysaj – Upamecano – Telles
Modric – Hojbjerg – Rakitic
Antonio – Eze – Willian
Cavani
While I realise that this is not a proper formation, each of those players would improve our first-team and definitely improve the squad.
Selling the likes of Lamela, Sissoko, Rose, Foyth, Carter-Vickers, Amos, Sanchez, Walker-Peters, and Clarke would give us approximately £95m, according to Transfermarkt values. Although, realistically, I think it would be more like £70m if we sold these players. Surely, this would be enough to spend on good additions such as Upamecano and Milik.
In order to compete for the league, we need two good players in each position. We are playing 4-2-3-1 regularly so we would need some additions
GK: Donnaruma, Gazzaniga
LB: Telles, Davies
CB: Tanganga, Dier, Toby, Upamecano
RB: Aurier, Hysaj
CM: Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Modric, Winks
AM: Dele, Lo Celso
L/R AM: Bergwijn, Son, Lucas, Willian
FC: Kane, Cavani
I think that with only the league to focus on, this squad would be good enough to have a proper go at winning the league.
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