It’s been an incredible season for Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pochettino, although fans will still be licking the wounds after Monday’s draw with Chelsea ended their hopes of landing the Premier League title.
Still, it’s looking good for Spurs as they aim to become a Champions League regular and potential Premier League winners, with a league crown having eluded them for more than half a century. Now though, with Pochettino and his young side, the sky is the limit.
With the right sort of transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur can enter next season as title favourites as the rest of their rivals are stuck in a redevelopment stage. Manchester City, Chelsea and possibly Manchester United will be rebuilt under a new manager, whilst Jurgen Klopp will imprint his DNA onto Liverpool and Arsenal need Arsene Wenger to pull his finger out.
That means Spurs just need a couple of additions this summer to cement themselves with a solid squad that can see off any side that comes their way- and we believe this is the team that can lead Spurs to glory next season.
Hit Pochettino below to see his dream XI for next season!
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GK: Hugo Lloris
Tottenham faced a daunting prospect at the beginning of the season, as failure to seal a top-four finish and Champions League football would have probably led to the exit of French international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
As it is though, Lloris will remain with the captain’s armband next season and it’s great news for Spurs, as he’s arguably the best defender in the Premier League. With him at the back, Spurs are very hard to score against and he’s the base of a solid spine that runs through their team.
RB: Kyle Walker
The English right-back took a while to get properly settled but, after a fantastic season with Spurs, Kyle Walker could find himself as England’s number one right-back for the upcoming European Championships.
As part of the young contingent amongst Spurs’ defence, still just 25, Walker can be a crucial player in the coming years and will remain as part of the intact Spurs line from this season- if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
CB: Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian centre-back has excelled since he arrived in English football from Ajax but this season, alongside a compatriot, has where he’s really shone. Arguably the best central-defender in the Premier League, Vertonghen is immensely important to Spurs.
Vice-captain at White Hart Lane, the 29-year-old is an experienced head in what is a relatively young Spurs side. His influence next season in the Champions League cannot be underestimated, in what will be a huge test for him.
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Quite possibly the signing of the summer, Toby Alderweireld impressed on-loan with Southampton last season but it’s taken things up a notch since moving to Spurs on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid. Alongside Vertonghen, Spurs possess the best defensive partnership in the league.
Naturally, that partnership will remain intact next season and the Belgian defender is one of few players in the Spurs line-up with Champions League experience, which will be vital upon the club’s return to Europe’s elite competition next season.
LB: Danny Rose
It seems like an age ago when Danny Rose propelled himself into the limelight with that wonder goal against Arsenal and things haven’t quite been plain sailing since. Plenty of loan moves followed but, following the last one at Sunderland in 2013, Rose has been crucial to Spurs rise.
One of the most underrated members of Spurs phenomenal squad, the 25-year-old left-back will be crucial next season as Spurs aim to keep their solid defence intact and in shape. Next year should see him make his 100th Premier League appearance, so there’s no underestimating his experience.
CDM: Victor Wanyama
Whilst Eric Dier has been phenomenal this season, it would be difficult to keep Victor Wanyama out of the starting line-up if he was to sign. With Mauricio Pochettino having eyed the Kenyan international since he first left Southampton, the move could now materialise.
The lure of Champions League football could be what brings Wanyama to north London but the danger is rejigging a midfield that has been excellent this term. However, with Spurs required to balance Champions League involvement with a Premier League push, adding to the squad depth is ideal.
RM: Dele Alli
One of the breakthrough stars of the season, Dele Alli has gone from an unrecognisable name to an England regular. This summer is huge for him with the European Championships but it’s next season that will provide his biggest test.
With expectations on his shoulders, he’ll need support from the more senior players to keep him rooted and the test up against Europe’s finest in the Champions League won’t be an easy challenge to navigate.
Given what we’ve seen from Alli thus far, he should be just fine.
CM: Christian Eriksen
Thd midway point of a crucial spine of experience that runs through Tottenham’s squad, the Danish midfielder has found himself surrounded by young talent in the Spurs midfield. Just 24 himself, it shows just how talented the Spurs squad surely is.
With a new deal on the table, and expected to be signed before this summer’s international tournament, Eriksen will continue to be a crucial part of Pochettino’s line-up and next season the Champions League will give him the chance to increase his pedigree further.
LM: Florian Thauvin
Another potential signing for Tottenham, although a surprise for many to consider, Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a swoop for Newcastle United flop Florian Thauvin. Whilst he’s performed better in France whilst on-loan with Marseille, there’s understandably still concerns.
All things considered though, you wouldn’t get against Pochettino turning the misfit into a star given the record of things he has done at Tottenham. If Spurs can land him for a minimal fee and then develop his full potential, Pochettino will have added another feather to his cap.
ST: Harry Kane
With 49 Premier League goals at the age of just 22, it’s been a tremendous few seasons for Harry Kane at Tottenham. Likely to spearhead England’s attack this summer, pressure is rising on the London-born striker to continue to impress.
That could be his greatest challenge yet but he’ll face further tests in the Champions League next season. Should he pass through Euro 2016 and next season’s Champions League campaign with flying colours, then Spurs will have themselves a striker who could be the first world-class forward England have genuinely possessed for a while.
ST: Moussa Konate
A relatively unknown player to emerge on Tottenham’s shopping list in recent weeks, FC Sion striker Moussa Konate is being touted as the latest name to come into White Hart Lane and ease the goalscoring burden placed upon Harry Kane.
At 23-years-old, Konate has featured 16 times for Senegal, scoring seven goals, and his record with FC Sion is equally impressive, netting a total of 24 goals in 46 league appearances for the Swiss side. Although not yet challenged at the highest of levels, the stats speak for themselves and he could be the answer to Spurs problems.
