In, out, shake it all about
Kieran Trippier has signed for Spurs from Burnley (old news right?). It's good news. It's competition for Kyle Walker at right-back. Perhaps a gentle nod towards the necessity to having solid options in that position, what with DeAndre Yedlin still of a tender age and raw status. I like what we've done so far. It's not been exciting just functional. Dele Alli, the brilliantly energetic MK Dons midfielder (signed last season) will also add that youthful kick to the mix. Kevin Wimmer, a centre-back, another one for our forever erratic defence. I'm hopeful here that the reconstruction at the back leads to consistency with selection.
Eric Dier and Wimmer will need to share the role of partnering Jan Vertonghen, not forgetting Federico Fazio, meaning we have four players for the two positions - which is good when you consider rotation and Europa League...and injuries. Vlad Chiriches the odd man out. The left side of the defensive flank will hopefully see Ben Davies find fluidity with his positioning this season after a dodgy first season to compete with Danny Rose. Don't discount Davies, remember how easily Rose was written off pre-Pochettino.
What to make of the Toby Alderweireld link? Big old difference between a pairing of Verts and Toby compared to one with say Fazio in the centre. Fed-not-so-express is more of a traditional centre-half compared to the others (and Toby) that like to play with the occasional touch of finesse.
The imperative glue that will hold it all together is Hugo Lloris. If he stays, it's a statement of intent (we don't hang onto world class players for long). If Lloris goes, Michel Vorm will step up and we'll have to search for a new back-up.
Youth appears to be key, it's the tag-line when looking at Paul Mitchell, formerly of Southampton, and the new strategy of targeting players that are fit to the style of football Mauricio Pochettino wants. No more marquee imports? It's not to say every signing Mitchell might have over-seen at the St Mary's club paid off. But then that's a universally common issue. What we're aiming to do is limit that potentiality. Spend our money with effectiveness and promote from within.
Is there room for returning loan players Alex Pritchard and Tom Carroll? Pritchard made a name for himself at Brentford whilst Carroll was sparingly used for Swansea. Both talented but too light-weight? It's an interesting footnote that (much like Ryan Mason) they are candidates for the Pochettino 'can he protect and pass the ball?' mantra. Players with intelligence that aid the flow of momentum. However, Mason (over-played) proves we need a more experienced midfielder. Also (especially with Alex and Tom), physicality might be an issue when comparing us pound-to-pound to the sides above us.
Did I hear you say Morgan Schneiderlin? I don't think he's a viable target. Nabil Bentaleb could do with someone similar to free him from the shackles of responsibility every so often. Jonjo Shelvey? I think Mitchell has to shake his black box, it's malfunctioning. We truly are working on a budget (don't ask about the pre-tax profit).
As for our forwards? Harry Kane needs a partner. Emmanuel Adebayor claims he's happy at Spurs. Personal issues stagnated and stopped his season last time out. How reliable is he? Not very. Roberto Soldado remains a lost soul. Anthony Martial, the 19 year old lightning quick Monaco striker is the current go-to-target. Yet another youngster with measured quality and skills to compliment the more physical Kane. Christian Benteke is another long running option that like Schneiderlin remains an expensive alternative, one probably beyond our reach.
The futures of Etienne Capoue and Younes Kaboul remain tentative. Roberto Soldado another one that wouldn't be missed by the masses.
Paulinho is off to China. Guangzhou Evergrande for around £10M. You can't even make this up it's so ludicrous. From Lithuania to Poland to England to China. Ladies and gentlemen, the transfer indiscretions of THFC. We paid £17M for him. May these moments of comedy be a thing of the past. Well, not all of them. We wouldn't know what to do with ourselves if we fixed up completely.
