Tottenham Hotspur were being heavily criticised this summer for a lack of activity in the transfer window. They were late to bring any notable players in and didn’t quickly replace Kyle Walker after his £50m move to Manchester City.
But, typically for Tottenham, they moved late in the transfer market and have bolstered their squad well for the season. Spurs have now brought in five players this summer, while making £11m profit, which is certainly good going.
Tottenham finally replace Kyle Walker
For days, Mauricio Pochettino had been trying to push through the deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier, and on the final day of the transfer window, he did. The 24-year-old joins for £24m, less than half of what Walker was sold to City for, and the Londoners also have Kieran Trippier as a trusted deputy – Kyle Walker-Peters a third choice, having signed a new long-term deal.
Many have their reservations about Trippier being first-choice for the entire season given his limited dribbling ability and lack of real threat in the final third. But in Aurier, Tottenham have everything they need going forward. The Ivorian international is a powerhouse, boasting excessive speed and strength, capable of quickly turning defence into attack.
Off the ball, he’s tenacious in his tackling and will certainly rack up the interceptions too. Last season for Paris Saint-Germain, Aurier averaged a tackle or interception every 22 minutes in Ligue 1. For £22m, Tottenham appear to have done fantastic business.
Tottenham sign a credible secondary option to Harry Kane
And while a right-back was high up on Tottenham’s wishlist, a striker who can play second fiddle to Harry Kane was most important this summer. Swansea City centre-forward Fernando Llorente arrived at White Hart Lane for £12m, paid off by the sale of Kevin Wimmer to Stoke City for £18m. And in the 32-year-old, Tottenham have a brilliant ‘plan B’, if only for this season.
Llorente scored 15 goals in 28 Premier League starts last season, having joined from Juventus. He’s a target man, expert with his head, and will be a real threat around the box. If Spurs are chasing the game, Llorente is a great direct option.
Spurs get a defender to take the burden off Vertonghen and Alderweireld
And finally, Tottenham’s acquisition of Ajax’s Davinson Sanchez could also prove to be a good bit of business. The centre-back, signed for £36m, is believed to have a bright future, having impressed for the Dutch club during their journey to the Europa League final. But more than that, he is an upgrade on Kevin Wimmer who they sold, and better than the likes of Eric Dier at the back.
Tottenham had been heavily reliant upon Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, and were reluctant to sign any old defender to provide cover. But the signing of the 21-year-old Colombian could be a potentially masterstroke by Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs are 1/1 to finish in the top-four of the Premier League this season, and now they boast strength in depth in case of injury or suspension, they should be in for a good campaign.
