It may feel like it’s winter counter-part only slammed shut yesterday, but the January transfer window is already upon us, in what often constitutes a rather chaotic time of year for Premier League clubs.
And it looks set to be a busy one for Tottenham; they’re reportedly planning a winter clear-out to make way for new signings, so we should see some movement on both the inward and outward front at White Hart Lane this month.
There’s certainly some lingering transfer issues that require Maurico Pochettino’s attention and, being the helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve outlined the FIVE we view as the most important. So without further ado…
SHIFTING THE DEADWOOD
Tottenham’s squad is far too large and before the Lilywhites can consider bringing more bodies in, having already added summer signing DeAnre Yedlin to their roster (officially) this month, they need to get rid of the ever-mounting deadwood.
Spurs now have five players capable of playing at left-back for example, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Ben Davies, Kyle Naughton and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, which is far too many, and in my opinion the latter two should be cut loose this month to make way for new recruits. There isn’t too much interest in the Cameroonian, but Swansea have been linked with a £4million bid for Naughton this week – not a huge sum, but certainly a decent contribution to the kitty.
Likewise, Aaron Lennon appears to be edging closer towards the White Hart Lane exit door with Stoke City mooted as likely suitors. The occasional England international has perhaps been unfortunate to slump down the pecking order over the last 18 months with many positive attributes to his game – particularly, work-rate, pace and experience – but he’s clearly not to Mauricio Pochettino’s specific taste and for that reason alone, may as well be moved on.
Moussa Dembele, linked with Everton earlier this term, is another candidate for the scrapheap, having made just four Premier League starts this season, as are defenders Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul, whilst few tears would be shed if the Lilywhites said goodbye to goal-shy striker Emmanuel Adebayor this month.
CUTTING LOSSES
Paulinho, Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado constitute the three largest signings in Tottenham history, but none have hit the heights expected since moving to White Hart Lane in summer 2013 and it might be time for the north Londoners to consider cutting losses – before their market values depreciate even further.
Indeed, the former Spain international has gone on to record just three goals from open play in the Premier League, the Argentine has only ever shown glimpses of his true ability and the Brazilian, in addition to enduring a terrible World Cup campaign, tends to be a rather anonymous figure compared to the dynamic nature of your average Premier League midfielder.
Lamela’s future seems safe for now; he’s struggled to adapt to the Premier League but the 22 year-old was always viewed as a long-term investment.
Soldado and Paulinho, however, may not be so lucky. Combined, they cost Spurs a whopping £43million and the Lane outfit need some of that money back.
The former has been linked with a move to Sevilla this month, as part of a swap deal for Los Che’s star centre-forward Carlos Bacca, which would at least save Tottenham some face even if it doesn’t improve their bank balance.
Meanwhile, there’s quite a bit of demand for the latter this month, with The Independent claiming Inter Milan, Schalke and former club Corinthians could all be interested in the £12million-rated midfielder.
Admittedly however, the Lilywhites may be better off waiting until the summer.
Signing players that fit Pochettino’s philosophy
Tottenham can be considered more guilty than most of making signings that don’t fit any particular philosophy, in-part due to them having three different managers in the last year.
The current complexion of the starting XI says it all, with Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason regularly included over players the Lilywhites spent untold fortunes on in transfer fees and wages, such as Mousa Dembele, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor, predominantly due to them lacking the energy and mentality to perform well under Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing ethos.
The Argentine wasn’t given the support he needed during the summer window, operating on a budget of just £30million and many signings seemingly made beyond his control. But after a string of impressive results in his first six months at White Hart Lane, he deserves full licence to land targets of his own discretion this January.
So who could Tottenham sign, better fitting of the Pochettino ethos? In my opinon, Aston Villa star Fabian Delph, who shares the gritty, lung-bursting styles of Mason and Kane, would be a perfect addition.
He’s developed hugely over the year or so, earning the Villain of the Year award last term and more recently a spot in the England squad, and could be snapped up on the cheap this window, with just six months remaining on his current contract.
According to Mirror Football, Liverpool are plotting a £7.5million bid for the tenacious contract rebel – a figure the Lilywhites can easily match.
Sign another striker or rely on Harry Kane?
The story of the season so far at White Hart Lane has, of course, been the sensational rise of Harry Kane, emerging from the peripheries of the squad to become the club’s top scorer with 18 goals across all competitions, including eight in the Premier League.
Yet, Kane’s superfluous form can’t last forever; right now he’s high on confidence, seemingly fuelled by his undying support from the White Hart Lane faithful, but eventually he’ll hit a dry patch.
At which point, the Lilywhites will be forced to depend upon Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado (assuming they aren’t sold this January), who have scored just three Premier League goals combined this term.
Thus, Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether he’s prepared to rely upon Kane’s form for the remainder of the campaign or needs to bolster his striking options this January.
One target already mooted is Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike, who boasts a strong return of 14 goals in 40 league outings for the Turkish club.
The Express alleged an £8million bid last week, whilst, adding further weight to continuing speculation, the Nigerian international has been spotted in London this month with his agent.
Goodbye to another Spurs skipper?
Tottenham said goodbye to long-term captain Matt Dawson in the summer as the former England international made his way to Hull City, and they could do so again this month in the form of Younes Kaboul – just five months after his official appointment.
Indeed, Maurico Pochettino gave the Frenchman the nod at the start of the campaign but he’s not started a Premier League fixture since the beginning of November, with the Spurs gaffer preferring centre-back partnership Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen – the defensive bedrock behind Tottenham’s improved results in recent weeks.
I’ve never been too fond of Kaboul, a centre-half prepared to rely on his pace and strength to make up for mistakes, rather than preventing them with the subtler powers of positioning and anticipation, so I wouldn’t mind seeing the Lilywhites skipper leave this month.
He’s already been linked with a move to Besiktas by the Daily Mail as part of Tottenham’s alleged winter clearout, but the report claims Spurs will have to reduce their asking price somewhat to complete the deal.