Our resident Spurs fans here in the Transfer Tavern aren’t really sure where the club sit in the Premier League.
Half of the the Tottenham fans here in the Tavern think they can genuinely challenge for the Premier League title, whilst the other half aren’t so sure, and don’t think the club have what it takes.
Spurs currently sit in fifth spot in the Premier League table after a mediocre start to the season, which has seen them draw way too many games.
As ever is the case here in the Transfer Tavern, talk quickly turns to transfers and business that the club can do in the January and summer transfer windows.
A recent news piece from the London Evening Standard suggests that Ross Barkley features highly on the list of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.
This has got our landlord thinking and he’s decided to create a potential new-look Spurs XI for 2017, including current Everton man Ross Barkley…
Check it out below!
GK: Hugo Lloris
The Frenchman is simply key to the Spurs team.
His ability to make world-class saves on a regular basis makes him such a pivotal component of the team that Pochettino has at his disposal.
Undoubtedly one of the best keepers in the world, Lloris is a certain starter in between the sticks.
RB: Kyle Walker
The England right back is not going anywhere anytime soon you’d imagine.
He flies up and down the right wing better than most full backs can whilst he is also a key component to how Spurs play. The Lilywhites need him to provide pace and width when going forward which he certainly does so there should be no need to worry about this area in 2017 – he is simply top drawer.
CB: Toby Alderweireld
The Belgian defender has to be considered one of the best in the league and therefore the world.
He reads the game superbly well and very rarely gets caught out of position. He’s strong and quick across the ground and he can also play, too, which is getting more and more crucial in this modern era. Very few teams couldn’t be able to make a space for this man in their back-lines – he’s that good.
CB: Jan Vertonghen
Alongside Alderweireld is a player that is almost as good and that’s saying something.
Vertonghen doesn’t get the plaudits he perhaps deserves due to his compatriot alongside but he is just as important for Spurs at the back. The Lilywhites have one of the best back fours around in the Premier League and it’s largely thanks to the incredibly good partnership the two Belgians have at White Hart Lane.
LB: Danny Rose
The left-back has the same job to do as Walker and is therefore just as crucial.
He’s a real dynamo at the back for Spurs and bombs forward at the right times whilst he’s also not scared to leave his foot in and mix it up. He could do with a bit more discipline sometimes as he gets embroiled in things quite a bit but that isn’t enough to see him taken out of this side for 2017.
CM – Victor Wanyama
After a summer move to Tottenham, Victor Wanyama was expected to be more of a bit-part player at Spurs – though he has been anything but.
After a slow start, the Kenyan has quickly emerged as one of the Lilywhites’ finest players – putting in good performances week after week.
He adds a real defensive steel to this side.
CM – Mousa Dembele
If Wanyama is the defensive part of this midfield, Dembele is almost certainly the more attacking player.
He helps transition the midfield into the attack, offering passes and runs forward to assist the players ahead of him.
He must be doing a good job as he is keeping Eric Dier out of the side – and that will likely continue regardless of the proposed arrival of Ross Barkley.
CAM – Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley would have a lot of competition at Tottenham should he make the move, but he would undoubtedly make a play for the coveted number 10 position at White Hart Lane.
On his day, there are few better players in the role – and you would imagine that he will get even better playing alongside the likes of Kane and Dembele.
If he can recapture his form from earlier in the season then he will be simply unstoppable.
RW: Erik Lamela
Now well into his third season on Hotspur Way, things have somewhat stalled for the lethal Argentine in recent months after such a big improvement.
Still, outside of Barkley, there would be no real searing pace in this side and the club’s record signing is essential on that front.
A wonderful out-ball on the counter-attack, where Spurs excelled last season.
ST: Harry Kane
It’s amazing how different a side Spurs looked without their talisman during his reasonably long injury layoff earlier this year.
His importance simply cannot be understated and the notion of him and Barkley linking up at club level should be hugely exciting for everyone involved.
If they can develop an understanding akin to his and Dele Alli’s, there’s no stopping Spurs.
LW: Dele Alli
More of an inverted left-forward it must be said, Dele Alli floating between Barkley and Kane when Spurs press forward would be a sight to behold.
The England international hasn’t been quite as good as last season just yet, though can still be effective when picking up those areas oh so hard to mark.
