Tottenham supporters in the Transfer Tavern have been discussing and looking back on the year of 2017, a year in which the North London outfit recorded their highest ever Premier League finish, but ultimately were unable to end their trophy drought.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men finished third behind Leicester City and Arsenal in 2016 but went one better last term to achieve second place behind champions Chelsea, although they still finished seven points adrift of Antonio Conte’s side. Nonetheless, it was a clear improvement and Spurs fans hoped it would be a sign of things to come from their team, yet they entered the New Year sixth in the Premier League table, and very much in a fight with neighbours Arsenal and Liverpool for a top four spot and thus a place in next season’s Champions League.
As such, there have been mixed emotions in the Tavern among our resident Tottenham fans, yet almost all of them are eagerly anticipating 2018 and what it may bring for Pochettino’s side as they go in search of their first piece of silverware since their 2008 League Cup triumph.
In the meantime though, there has been plenty for those Spurs fans lining up at the bar to get their teeth into, not least recent reports suggesting that Southampton have pulled out of the race to sign Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.
The 17-year-old has made huge strides at the Championship club in the last few years and appears to be on the radar of Pochettino’s Spurs, who now do not have Mauricio Pellegrino’s Saints to worry about in pursuit of the England youth international as they have reportedly ended their interest in the left-back.
And were Sessegnon to indeed make the move to Tottenham this month, here are TWO other stars who should follow him to North London…
Luke Shaw
It just hasn’t worked for left-back Luke Shaw at Manchester United, who moved to Old Trafford back in 2014 as one of the brightest young talents in England, and well set for a huge future in the game.
Fast forward three-and-a-half years, and the 22-year-old has managed just 55 appearances for the Red Devils, with a serious injury playing a part in his struggles, as has a lack of form and a seemingly strained relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
Yet Spurs have reportedly been linked with a move for the England international in a bid to reunite him with former Southampton boss Pochettino, and if the Argentine doesn’t feel that Sessegnon is yet up to the level required to compete in the top-flight, a move for Shaw should be in the offing as well.
Ross Barkley
It looked for all the world that Ross Barkley was on his way to Chelsea during the summer, only for a deal to fail to materialise in the last knockings of the window.
Nonetheless, his future at Everton remains uncertain with a contract extension yet to be signed, and a current deal expiring in six months’ time to suggest that a move away from Goodison Park is in the offing.
Tottenham have long been linked with the 24-year-old, and given the job Pochettino has done in developing young English talent in his managerial career so far, the North London side could well reap the rewards should the midfielder make the move south this month.
