Having built on last season’s success with a tremendous run in the Champions League, securing their progress into the last sixteen with a game to spare, the Spurs squad appears in good shape. But can it last the whole season battling domestically as well as in Europe as it is? If Tottenham do want to really progress and be talked of as title contenders in the next couple of seasons then strengthening is a must. Certainly with the current depth of the squad there is no point in the club bringing in players that will not go straight into the first team. This is the biggest obstacle for Spurs in entering the transfer market in January. It is rarely a time when star players are available, due to it being in the middle of the season. Any players that could be available, if of the quality desired, would most likely be illegible for European competition having played for their existing club.
Further problems with recruiting in the coming January, is more new arrivals could disrupt the balance of the team. There is no guarantee that any new arrival could have the same immediate impact as Van der Vaart. Forcing a new addition into a successful team could backfire if failing to reap instant rewards, even causing resentment amongst the squad. Certainly Spurs are in no position where they have to enter the market and shouldn’t feel the need to strengthen merely for the sake of it. A bit of trust in the group of players that have taken the club this far to go on to the next level could be the right decision.
Yet at the same time Tottenham are far from guaranteed Champions League football next season and it would be foolish to not look to strengthen, whilst they still have this carrot to offer to potential signings. And indeed assist them in their bid to retain a top four position in the league. With the other night’s victory over Werder Bremen being only the second clean sheet the club have managed to keep this season question marks hang over the defence and the team as a whole defensive capabilities. But with King and Dawson both set to return in coming weeks are there are centre backs available that would come in January and improve the first team? I don’t believe that there is.
The other end of the pitch appears to be another problem position for Tottenham. With Pavlyuchenko low on confidence, to the extent that he wouldn’t take the penalty against Bremen. Crouch with a single goal to his name in the Premier League, Robbie Keane distinctly out of favour and not trusted leaving only Jermaine Defoe who has yet to start a game on his return from injury. A striker of the highest quality would be a welcomed addition, yet these are not that easy to come by. Suarez, Forlan, Llorente, Benzema have all been linked with the club but with Forlan’s disappointing time with Manchester United being the only Premier League experience between them, they would all entail a sizeable gamble. A lot will be made of how successful Defoe’s return to the team is. If he is able to form a formidable and goal scoring partnership with Van der Vaart the need for a new striker may need be as vital as it first appears.
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