Spurs enjoyed a spectacular campaign last season, and with that have built an impressive core of young and hungry players which was a crucial element of their success.
Of course Spurs will want to improve next season but it will be a tough ask, next year will undoubtedly be a tough campaign with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs flexing their financial muscles in order to mount serious title challenges over the coming season.
In order to progress Pochettino will need to harness the desire of his core group of players and utilise that to drive his side forward, but will also need to add quality to the team in order to compete with the best on both domestic and European fronts.
Spurs have been linked with some big names already this summer but the additions to Pochettino’s side must be done carefully, should they invest in such a manner as when Gareth Bale left the extremely envious harmony the Spurs have in their current squad will be ruined.
However, should Pochettino and Co. add shrewdly to their squad then Tottenham could have an awe inspiring side come the start of the 2016/17 season, with that in mind here is how Spurs could line-up when they visit Ronald Koeman’s Everton on the opening day….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE POTENTIAL SPURS STARTING LINE-UP FOR EVERTON!
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GK: Hugo Lloris
Many will argue the best keeper in the division, the Frenchman is the Premier League’s answer to Germany’s Manuel Neuer, an established sweeper keeper, Lloris is crucial to Spurs having a good campaign.
Lloris’ presence between the sticks fills the defenders in front of him with the confidence to play a more attractive style, and start attacking moves from the back as opposed to having to simply clear the ball as quickly as possible.
RB: Kyle Walker
One of the real surprises of Spurs stellar campaign last season, Walker made the spot his own at White Hart Lane and has gone on to establish himself in the England setup with a string of highly impressive performances for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Whilst more than capable of managing his oppenent in a defensive situation, the confidence that the 26-year-old has to take on his man when going forward is an incredible asset to any side.
Centre half: Jan Vertonghen
Vertonghen has been a mainstay in the Spurs side since joining from Ajax in 2012, and has improved season upon season to become a key player in one of the most formidable back fours in the Premier League.
With an average pass completion rate of 88% in the Premier League last season, the Belgian is not just crucial to the back line, he can also pick a pass and get an attack going further up the pitch.
Centre half: Toby Alderweireld
Vertonghen’s international teammate has, like his fellow countryman, gone from strength to strength since making the move to North London, and alongside Vertonghen gives the rest of the Spurs side real confidence in their back line.
The former Atletico Madrid man played every Premier League match for Spurs last season without making a single defensive error.
LB: Danny Rose
Like his fellow full-back Kyle Walker, Rose was a surprise package of last season’s success having been relatively on the fringes of the Spurs side at the start of the campaign, with Ben Davies looking the most likely to be first choice.
Rose has also gone one and impressed for the national side breaking into the squad over the season, and has been a shining light of a mixed EURO 2016 campaign for England.
CM: Eric Dier
Another of Spurs’ stars to force his way into the England setup, Dier has made a real mark upon the Premier League over the last ten months, ensuring that he is one of the first names on Pochettino’s team sheet.
Having learnt his trade with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal for many years, Dier is the perfect advert for English players going abroad to seek first team chances early in their careers.
CM: Victor Wanyama
Having finally confirmed the deal on Thursday night, Spurs can now add a real no holds barred ball winning midfielder to their side.
The former Celtic man has a tenacious side and will give everything to win possession for his team and shut down the attacks of the opposition.
When his former Southampton teammate, Toby Alderweireld, joined Spurs he spoke of how he was finding playing in the Premier League much tougher without the cover of the Kenyan ahead of him.
RW: Erik Lamela
One man who has grown more than any other under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, Lamela’s stunning progression as a wide player drove Spurs forward last season and there is no reason he can’t get better again next season.
With the addition of another holding midfielder in Wanyama, Lamela will be given even more freedom to go forward and cause opposition defences untold problems.
AM: Dele Alli
Where to start? As mentioned before, Walker and Rose had been shining lights of a successful campaign last season, but neither of them come close to the impact that Dele Alli has had on English football, since making the move from MK Dons.
Pochettino has unleashed Alli on the Premier League over the last season, and he has stunned on lookers scoring spectacular goals and also earning himself a spot in Hodgson’s squad for EURO 2016.
LW: Christian Eriksen
A man who has the ability to turn a match on it’s head single-handed with a touch of magic to find a man ahead of him or a stunning strike.
In many ways the 24-year-old is the main man for Pochettino’s side, and will need to be on top form all season if Spurs are to challenge the top sides once again.
CF: Harry Kane
Last season’s top goal scorer will be the make or break player in terms of the fortunes of Spurs campaign next season.
Kane has not had the best of times so far with England at EURO 2016 but he will undoubtedly be back to his best come the start of the 2016/17 season looking to retain his golden boot.
