Tottenham supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the 2018/19 Premier League campaign following the news that Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane have signed long-term deals with the club.
Former Southampton boss Pochettino took over at the North London outfit back in 2014 and has since led them to three consecutive top four finishes in the Premier League, thus transforming them into one of the top teams in the country. And England captain Kane has become one of the best strikers in world football in the last few seasons in netting a remarkable 140 goals in 213 games for Tottenham, with his tally of 41 this time round his best goal-scoring return to date.
Consequently, there are many delighted and optimistic Spurs supporters in the Tavern at present, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent reports suggesting that Newcastle may have to fork out £20 million to re-sign Kenedy from Chelsea this summer.
And given that seems a pretty reasonable figure for the exciting Brazilian talent, Pochettino’s Tottenham should seek to hijack the Magpies’ move for the 22-year-old in a bid to bolster their own attacking ranks.
Ultimately, there is no mistaking the impact Kenedy had on the Newcastle front line this season upon arrival from Stamford Bridge in January, with the Brazilian ace bagging twice and laying on two assists in 13 Premier League appearances for Rafa Benitez’s side.
Yes, those figures aren’t exactly brilliant, but it was evident that the 22-year-old helped to galvanise a goal-shy attacking unit that up until then looked bereft of ideas in the final third of the pitch – they then eventually finished tenth in the table.
And even when he wasn’t necessarily coming up with telling contributions, Kenedy was a constant threat down the left hand side and often caused problems for his opposite number – and at the age of 22, he is surely going to get even better.
And under Pochettino’s guidance, given the Argentine’s track record of developing young talent, alongside Spurs’ need for greater squad depth to compete for major honours, Tottenham could be the ideal place for Kenedy to fulfil his undoubted potential.
Be it Kane, Dele Alli, or Eric Dier, Pochettino gives young players the chance to flourish in the first team, with the trio now very much regulars for both club and country, with England in particular relying on the three of them to produce the goods in Russia this summer.
And with Harry Winks also earning minutes and indeed his first senior cap for England under Pochettino’s stewardship, the chance to develop and improve is definitely there for young players at Tottenham – that must be of interest to Kenedy.
Significantly though, it’s a deal that Tottenham themselves should be interested in as, outside of Alli, Christian Eriksen, and Son Heung-min, the other attacking options haven’t always produced the goods this term.
Erik Lamela has struggled to re-discover his pre-injury form while January signing Lucas Moura hasn’t been afforded too many opportunities to prove his worth, for one reason or another – ultimately, Kenedy’s arrival would only seek to further bolster that department.
And for just £20 million, it could turn out to be an absolute steal a few years down the line, as the 22-year-old could certainly develop into the quality attacker his potential suggests playing and improving under Pochettino at Tottenham.
Tottenham fans… what do you think? Let us know!
