Tottenham’s 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday confirmed next season will be another with Europa League football on the calender at White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino has come up short in the race for fourth during his first season in charge, but unlike those before him it seems as if the Argentine will be given time to get it right.
He has even come out today and said he is the man who will have the final say on the club’s transfer business going forward.
“We have worked very hard in the last six months to identify our targets, to have a clear idea and picture, we analyse and assess all the situations to deliver in the summer,” he said.
“You know you do not have much time to decide, the holidays are coming and we need to be ready to take the decisions.
“We have three games left and when we have finished the season, then in this moment we can explain our plan.”
Pochettino added: “We have a plan and we have a target, but the most important thing is we have to deliver and move forward.”
With that in mind, we have identified what could be Pochettino’s dream XI for the start of next season.
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Click on Mauricio Pochettino to reveal his possible dream XI for next season
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Hugo Lloris
The Frenchman may not make as many headlines as the likes of David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois, but he is not far behind them in terms of quality.
Lloris has been linked with the likes of PSG and Real Madrid this season.
It is vital Tottenham keep a hold of their captain this summer if they are to challenge for the top four seriously next season, and possibly land a first trophy since 2008.
Kyle Walker
This season was considered make or break for Kyle Walker, who has struggled to hold down a regular first team spot at right back in recent seasons.
Walker has progressed under Pochettino however, and it seems as though the club have no desire to spend money on a replacement in the summer, whilst DeAndre Yedlin is also set to challenge for a spot next season, alongside young Eric Dier.
Walker can consider himself the first choice right back for now at least.
Jan Vertonghen
Like Lloris, Jan Vertonghen has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane in search for a club capable of offering Champions League football.
The Belgian is the best defender the club has on it’s books at present, and again it is key he is held onto in the summer, with it set to be another season of Europa League football at Tottenham next term.
Kevin Wimmer
Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches are expected to move on in the summer, leaving Pochettino in need of a new partner for Vertonghen.
Reports suggest Tottenham will make a move for highly rated 22-year-old Kevin Wimmer of Cologne.
The Austrian defender has impressed during 22 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, and has already claimed a move to White Hart Lane in the summer would be a ‘dream.’
Danny Rose
Similarly to Kyle Walker, Danny Rose went into this season with plenty to prove. Rose has responded and improved under Pochettino, so much so that he has kept summer signing Ben Davies out of the team for the majority of the season.
With Rose and Davies both on the books, there are few who expect Tottenham to move for a new left back during the summer.
Moussa Sissoko
The Frenchman has been Newcastle’s outstanding player for the past couple of seasons now.
As long as Mike Ashley remains in charge in the north east, it appears the Magpies will be happy with mid-table finishes.
Tottenham may even be hoping John Carver’s side continue their wretched run that has seen them lose eight games on the spin and drop into the relegation zone – the Frenchman would be available at a cut price were Newcastle to go down.
Adrien Rabiot
The 19-year-old is one of the most highly rated young midfielders in Europe, and one who looks set to move on in the summer.
Rabiot has grown frustrated with his lack of regular first team football at Paris St Germain, and he fits the model Pochettino is looking for of a young player with plenty of energy and quality.
Once again, north London rivals Arsenal have been linked, but it is regular first team football that the young Frenchman is after from his next move.
Jay Rodriguez
A player Pochettino knows well from his time at Southampton, and someone who would fit in well in Pochettino’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Rodriguez has not kicked a ball this season after suffering a horror injury at Manchester City towards the back end of last season, but that has not stopped his former boss registering an interest.
The pair thrived together at Southampton last season, with Rodriguez scoring goals consistently all season to take him to the brink of a World Cup squad place with England before the injury struck.
Christian Eriksen
It has been another productive season for Christian Eriksen, who has now firmly established himself as one of the best playmakers in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has 12 goals to his name this season, whilst his expertise from free kicks gives Tottenham an extra attacking edge.
Already a firm favourite with the fans, Pochettino sees the Dane as crucial to his long term plans at White Hart Lane.
Saido Berahino
Had it not been for the goals and performances of Harry Kane this season, Saido Berahino may well have been capped for the senior England side by now.
The West Brom striker has enjoyed a tremendous goal scoring season in an inferior side, with 18 goals in 35 starts this season.
The 21-year-old is similar to Rodriguez, in that he can not only play as a central striker, but on either flank in a 4-2-3-1 system, with his pace down the channels an effective weapon for the Baggies often this season.
Harry Kane
There is not much to say about Harry Kane that hasn’t already been said this season. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a dream campaign, which has seen him fire more than 30 goals in all competitions, earn himself his first England call up, and become crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Next season will be the real test however, with Kane desperate to prove he is more than a one season wonder.
No doubt he will be given the opportunity to lead the line once again next season.
