There aren’t many Spurs fans in my neighborhood, unless you count the San Antonio basketball fans that is, and for that reason my buddy Jack Bonner and I tried to watch all of the games together. This can often be tough given the time difference from the UK to the US and it is not uncommon for us to get up in the midnight hours to watch our beloved Tottenham Hotspur.
The club has grown from strength to strength in recent years and after consecutive 3rd and 2nd place finishes in the league, can Spurs finally reach top spot this coming season?
Wembley Factor
Spurs have moved out of White Hart Lane, their home for 114 years, so that the new stadium can be built and they will be playing their games this year at Wembley. So far Spurs are having a torrid time at Wembley having won just 1 game in 11 at the international stadium. If Spurs are to stand any chance of winning the league this year, they need to grab that first big win at the stadium and start reversing the hoodoo that has been cast over it. Turn Wembley into a fortress and Spurs stand a great chance of lifting the title.
Transfer Window
As usual, Daniel Levy left it very late to conduct his transfer dealings which means that the new players will need at least a month or two to bed-in. There were rumors circulating that there would be no money in the pot after paying for the stadium but Levy and Pochettino set about cutting the fat from the team to raise funds. After selling right back Kyle Walker for a huge $64 million, Tottenham replaced him with PSG right back Serge Aurier for a cool $30 million. New center back Davinson Sanchez looks to be a great defender that suits Pochettino’s style and steal of the summer was $20 million Fernando Llorente from Swansea, a striker who can play back-up to Kane and someone who already knows how to play in this league.
Can They Actually Win It?
The problem that Spurs have is their depth, whilst this has been improved with transfers, it is still a grave problem that could trip them up once the cup and Champions League games start coming thick and fast. Assuming that Spurs can keep the majority of their first 11 fit, they stand a very good chance of finally lifting the Premier League title. This Spurs team has been through 2 title races and lost both providing the team with a great amount of experience which they can take into this season. If Spurs keep their players fit and the new signings hit the ground running, Spurs can most definitely be challenging for top spot, whether or not they have enough in the tank remains to be seen but I for one am highly optimistic about the season ahead.
Daryl Green