After nearly three months of no football in England, we are about to indulge in football taking place nearly every day of the week for the next month.
However, due to the lengthy break, managers could be set to use a wide range of players to keep everyone fit and healthy. Also, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved the use of five substitutions, instead of three (BBC). This could provide fringe players with the chance to impress their current club ahead of the summer transfer window.
Below are four players who we believe need to convince Mourinho and the Spurs supporters that they have a future in North London.
Erik Lamela
Next season will be Lamela’s seventh season as a Spurs player – and we are still waiting to see the true value of the £25.7million which the club paid to Roma in 2013 (BBC)
In six years with the club, the Argentine has made 146 appearances in the Premier League, around 24 games each season and has scored just 16 goals. (Premier League)
Injuries have been the main reason to Lamela’s struggle at Spurs and has accumulated 475 days on the sidelines. (Transfermarkt)
Unsurprisingly, the club are ready to part ways with Lamela and could use his funds to strengthen the side in the summer (Daily Star). However, Lamela could make a dramatic U-turn at the club if he shows his quality in these final nine games.
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Harry Winks
Spurs’ one of their own – Harry Winks. However, his talent and ability are causing a divide among Spurs fans throughout this season.
In his breakout 2017/18 season, Winks received plaudits from Real Madrid’s Luka Modric (FourFourTwo) was adored by supporters. However, the midfielder suffered an injury in November of 2017 and was out for three months.
No doubt the injury affected Winks’ performances in the future, but the lack of goals and assists in his game is the reason why some supporters are unsure about him.
In 135 appearances, Winks has only scored two goals and two assists – not amazing stats for a central midfielder (Transfermarkt). However, Jose Mourinho seems to rate Winks and is likely to be at Spurs next season. But, these final nine games could be crucial for the academy product to win over a certain number of supporters.
Eric Dier
Dier is another player that needs to win over the fans ahead of the Premier League restart.
He was an influential player in Spurs’ 2016-17 season in defence with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. His versatility to play as a defensive midfielder and right-back was a huge asset to Spurs, however, injuries, once again, affected his career.
Since undergoing a medical procedure at the start of the season, Dier has been in-and-out of Spurs’ starting eleven. But he was slowly introduced back into central defence before football was suspended, and his performances were slowly getting better.
Spurs were said to be ready to offer Dier a new contract which could indicate Mourinho is happy with the player (Daily Star).
However, Dier could use these next nine games to cement a spot in the defence with Jan Vertonghen looking likely to leave.
Serge Aurier
Not only can he be unpredictable on the pitch, Aurier has struggled to stay out of the spotlight over the past three months – breaking lockdown rules not once, not twice, but three times. (The Times)
With just two years left on his current deal, Spurs could look to cash-in on Aurier this summer. His arrival excited Spurs fans and seemed the perfect replacement for Walker, but his performances have shown nowhere near that.
The right-back started to rejuvenate his career under Mourinho, grabbing seven assists. (TransferMarkt)
But his defensive work rate is a cause of concern for many supporters. We know Aurier has the quality, but his consistency which has caused fans to be so frustrated with him.
If Aurier can consistently play well in the next nine games, then I expect Spurs to keep hold of him and offer him a new contract.
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