First of all, Ben Davies and Michel Vorm arrived as a double signing from Swansea with Gylfi Sigurdsson going the other way. A good move for Spurs, with Ben Davies likely to be the starting left back over the average at best Danny Rose, with the latter providing decent competition for the 21 year old Davies. Not only did this improve a position Spurs have needed improving for years, but also seemingly spells the end of Cameroonian Benoit Assou-Ekotto's seven year stay at the club, which many fans will be pleased about after seeing his lacklustre performances for recently promoted QPR and even a headbutt on Cameroon teammate Benjamin Moukandjo during the World Cup in Brazil.
Michel Vorm is also a very good (and cheap) signing for Pochettino's squad. He will be second choice to Hugo Lloris for this season, potentially playing in the Europa League and cup games, and possibly make the step up to first choice if Lloris leaves depending on Spurs' european qualification. The immortal Brad Friedel stays on as Player/coach but is inevitably moved down to third choice, with Gomes departing to Watford.
Despite only making one competitve appearance for the club since joining from Juventus, Iago Falque left the club for around £4 million to join Genoa back in the Serie A. This transfer money soon got re-invested into England under 21 Eric Dier, from Sporting Lisbon. Dier plays centre half and can also be utilised at defensive midfield and played 26 games for the Portuguese club during his two year stay there. Not only does this add a young Englishman to the squad, but also improves on a position lacking for Tottenham over the previous two seasons. However, Tottenham are still trying to improve this position more with the signing of Argentine and Villarreal defender Matteo Musacchio, who is edging ever closer to a move to the North London club. It is likely that Dier will be on the edge of the first team, appearing in cups and european ties against lesser opposition, but Musacchio will be in the first team, potentially to replace captain Michael Dawson, or more surprisingly Vlad Chiriches has been linked with a move away.
Tottenham are also looking to re-inforce in other areas of the squad, with Pochettino looking at familiar faces Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez to come in for around £30-£35 million combined. If Schneiderlin joins, it could spell the end for Sandro, who has been constantly linked with a move to Napoli over the pre-season. Rodriguez would be a brilliant signing, energetic and looked a different player under Pochettino at Southampton, and fits very well into his system scoring 15 goals in 33 league games last season.
Perhaps the most important contract signed this season was the 5 year deal handed to Hugo Lloris, however as previously mentioned, without Champions League football, which Lloris deserves, he may find it hard to stay at the Lilywhites past this season.
A new deal also looms for Jan Vertonghen, which would also be a huge boost for Tottenham, with the defender being linked to a move to Barcelona for the last two transfer windows. Danny Rose was also handed a five year deal, and seems ready to knuckle down and fight for his place against Ben Davies at left back.
No comments:
Post a Comment