da betsson： It may have come down to a bit of final day fortune but Mauricio Pochettino will be very pleased with a fifth-place finish during his first season as Tottenham manager.
da heads bet： The Lilywhites haven’t done better since the 2011/12 campaign, despite the Argentine finding himself obliged to turn to youth products amid the apathetic performances of the Lilywhites’ more recognised names.
But Pochettino has now set a standard that he’ll have to surpass next season – namely, breaking the glass ceiling between the north London club and the Premier League’s regular Champions League qualifiers.
That will take acquiring some top class quality in the transfer market this summer, however – which is no easy feat when you’re not plying your trade in Europe’s flagship tournament.
So just in case the White Hart Lane gaffer is short on a few ideas ahead of the coming transfer window, we’ve listed FIVE signings that would guarantee Spurs Champions League qualification next season.
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MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
Central midfield has become arguably Tottenham’s weakest department this season, with inexperienced duo Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason stepping in for the lackadaisical likes of Moussa Dembele, Etienne Capoue and Paulinho – who are all widely expected to leave White Hart Lane this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino needs to add star quality that also pushes Spurs’ starting Xi further towards his own philosophy – and on both of those fronts, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin fits the bill perfectly.
Since the Saints’ top flight ascension in summer 2012, he’s emerged as one of the Premier League’s most formidable enforcers, this term averaging the second-most tackles per match, 3.7, of any player in the division.
That’s had an undoubted influence on Ronald Koeman’s side finishing the year with a goals conceded record of 33, only bettered by champions Chelsea.
After almost forcing his way out of St. Mary’s last summer, the 25 year-old is almost certain to leave in the coming transfer window. The France international’s £25million price-tag should be within the Lilywhites’ financial reach but Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked in recent weeks.
JAMES MILNER
Experience and depth are crucial components of any Champions League qualification bid and Manchester City’s James Milner offers both in abundance.
What’s not to like about this guy? He’s home-grown, two-footed, creative yet industrious, a consummate professional, extremely versatile and offers an ocean of experience, with 418 Premier League appearances and 53 England caps under his belt already.
Furthermore, the 29 year-old is set to leave the Eithad on a free transfer this summer despite enjoying arguably his most productive season to date for the Citizens, amassing five goals and seven assists in 32 Premier League appearances.
That will make the midfielder – who has been tested at right back and centre-forward over the last year – one of the best value-for-money signings in the coming transfer window.
Any club who can offer regular first team football stand a chance of attaining Milner’s signature. Currently, however, it seems to be a race between Arsenal and Liverpool.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
Spurs need someone to share the goalscoring load with Harry Kane and few Premier League strikers have shown better form in 2015 than Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.
Just when the Belgian battering ram appeared to be on the verge of dropping into the abyss of mediocrity, he’s re-emerged as one of the English top flight’s most formidable target men, bagging twelve goals in his last twelve appearances for the Birmingham outfit.
Mauricio Pochettino favoured old-fashioned No.9s during his Southampton days, namely Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo, and the 24 year-old firmly falls into that category as well, boasting a beastly 6 foot 3 frame that torments opposition backlines and brings others into the game.
Villa boss Tim Sherwood has admitted the Belgium international could force a move away from Villa Park this summer, with the tabloids valuing him at around £30million.
But with clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool reportedly interested, Spurs are facing an uphill battle.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
Another Southampton-based suggestion, Toby Alderweireld excited many a Tottenham fan when he claimed he wanted to reunite with former Ajax centre-back partner Jan Vertonghen a few months ago.
The Belgium international has been in fantastic form for Southampton this season, averaging 1.7 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 5.7 clearances and 1.5 successful aerial duels per-match as part of a Saints backline boasting the second-healthiest goals conceded record in the Premier League.
The south coast outfit want to sign him permanently from Atletico Madrid and they apparently have a £6.8million option to do so.
But Atletico could refuse Southampton’s bid at the cost of £1.5million – which would then allow them to sell the 26 year-old to the north Londoners for around £10million.
Pochettino is reportedly desperate to bolster his centre-back options this summer and Alderweireld would be the perfect candidate. Not only does he offer the starting Xi superior quality, but his arrival might also convince Vertonghen to pen his long-awaited contract extension.
PEDRO
Winger-forward Pedro has done it and won it all throughout his Barcelona and Spain careers, namely lifting five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, whilst generating a return of 114 goals in 365 appearances.
At 27 years of age, he’s still firmly within his prime, but the La Liga star’s Nou Camp tenure could come to an abrupt end this summer after slumping behind £75million signing Luis Suarez in the pecking order. His contract is due to expire at the end of next season and without a new deal in sight, the Catalans are reportedly willing to sell for just £7million.
Of course, his likeliest suitors include Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United – the Premier League’s most renowned clubs.
But the tabloids believe Spurs have an outside chance of landing the Spain star too this summer. However unlikely that may seem, it’s an opportunity the Lilywhites just can’t afford to pass up.