In recent years, many have seen Tottenham as a club in decline, slowing sinking into midtable obscurity, managing Europa League qualification every year
The poorly spent Bale money highlighted a poor transfer policy, and the club continued to disappoint their fans
ItÂ’s a dream of the Spurs faithful to secure the club as a top four side, and regularly play in the Champions League
It seems strange then that only five years ago they were actually playing in the Champions League, finishing in the top four as Liverpool began to sink
They went on to top their group, above Italian giants Internatizonale, and then went on to beat InterÂ’s rivals AC Milan 1-0 in the knock out faze, before being thumped 5-0 by Real Madrid in the quarters
However, domestically, they were trumped by an all-guns-blazing Manchester City side to Champions League football, and finished fifth.
Since then, itÂ’s either been downhill or much of the same
But will they return? Has Mauricio Pochettino revitalized TottenhamÂ’s Champions League dream? Is this their year?
Plenty of evidence suggests that yes, it will be
Tottenham have a fine squad and finally, and perhaps the missing link over the past few years, a goalscorer.
Despite a bland start to the season, Harry Kane finally seems to have found his goalscoring knack, and has managed seven goals so far this year
HeÂ’s one of many, many young players in this team, who are beginning to fly into form.
Of course, the obvious revelation is Dele Alli, the central midfielder who was signed by Tottenham less than a year ago from MK Dons, and was sent back on loan for the rest of the season
HeÂ’s scored twice and set up one in the Premier League, but this isnÂ’t testament to how good heÂ’s been.
As many a pundit has pointed out this season, heÂ’s an all round midfielder, a very rare, rare thing these days
Frankly, he can do it all, heÂ’s solid when defending, and confident when going forward, his stunning goal on his full England debut proof of that
Those likening him to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard arenÂ’t half right.
Dele Alli stands as a glowing shrine to Mauricio PochettinoÂ’s philosophy of giving the youngsters a go, something that Premier League managers should probably stand up and take note from
The Argentine has plucked the likes of Alli, Kane, Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Eric Dier from obscurity and turned them into solid to leading players in their positions and this has not only set up an interesting looking season for Spurs, but a wonderfully bright future as well, if they can keep hold of them.
But looking more fundamentally at their top four hopes, their defence is looking solid enough, with Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld and Jan VertonghenÂ’s places firmly set in the side, and Danny Rose and Ben DaviesÂ’ position at left back frequently switched
No oneÂ’s shouting about it, but Spurs have actually conceded the joint second least amount of goals this season
Promising.
In attack, of course weÂ’ve discussed Harry KaneÂ’s goalscoring progress, they have goals all over midfield, from Eriksen, whoÂ’s proved a superb playmaker, Alli, Son Heung-Min, and even the likes of Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli, who are now beginning to pop up with the odd goal here and there.
But none of these things are the greatest asset to Tottenham in their hopes of Champions League qualification
There are two key reasons
The first is that Pochettino has got together a group of players who are very much in this together, and tight as a squad
The second, which pairs with the first, is that Pochettino knows what his best eleven is, and has quality in depth to support it
Looking to TottenhamÂ’s fourth place rivals, the short-list at this point is probably Leicester, Liverpool, Southampton, West Ham and, at a push, Chelsea
Though I donÂ’t actually think Chelsea will finish in the top four, Leicester, Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham will all, like Tottenham, think that this is their year to do the impossible.
And the fact is for Spurs is that they have the best squad out of any of these teams
Liverpool, who have finally got their act together, are beginning to shine under Klopp, and a resurgence up the table could easily be on the cards
As Leicester hit a tough period, only over the next few weeks will we really learn how realistic Europe is for them
As for Southampton and West Ham, a touch of consistency would go a long way in helping them, but at the moment they look like long shots.
All round, Tottenham are looking like a very solid team, and with ChelseaÂ’s woes continuing, no matter what, itÂ’s going to make the race for the Champions League ever more delectable
Spurs fans will see it as an enormous opportunity to snatch another go at the European big time
Personally, I think this Spurs squad is strong enough to do it, and if they can start beating the teams around them as well, they will be a Champions League side next season.
Source : DSG
Source: DSG