Tottenham Hotspur will open their impressive and shiny new home this season, but the team on the pitch likely won’t include a single new player. Spurs have yet to add anybody to their roster this summer transfer window, while the rest of the entire big six has spent money to strengthen their sides.
To their credit, Tottenham has locked down their manager Mauricio Pochettino to a long term contract, and also given contract extensions to their most important players. The north London club has scored some “own goals” with these moves, but you know what the bromide says- if you’re standing still, you’re actually falling behind.
It’s a platitude because it’s true.
While it’s impressive that Spurs have finished in the top three of the Premier League the past three seasons, their long trophy drought still continues. You won’t move closer to the first trophy of the Pochettino era by having a comatose summer transfer window, but that’s exactly what’s transpired.
In addition to not signing anyone, Tottenham aren’t even really being linked to any new additions, and that speaks volumes. The back pages and the tabloids love to run with transfer rumors even when there really isn’t any substance there, but with Tottenham it’s currently nothing but crickets chirping.
Additionally, the only Spurs activity that we do see concerns players potentially on the way out. Pochettino is hopeful that his side will add players in the next 11 days until the deadline comes, but makes no guarantees of anything.
“I think we’re going to, sure, see what happens in the next few days. If you say we need to sign there, maybe, but with or without injuries that was our target after we finished last season — to add some players with qualities that can help us achieve all that we want,” the Argentine answered when asked if the mounting injury concerns of his team heightens the importance of getting transfer business done.
“With or without, I think we are going to.”
It is worth noting that Spurs got all their summer shopping in last year towards the end of the window, so it’s possible that waiting until the 11th hour is simply how they roll. Spurs’ 2017 summer transfer window was so moribund and dull in the beginning and middle that even left back Danny Rose publicly called out the team’s lack of activity a few weeks before ’17 deadline day.
Getting back to Pochettino and the present day, the manager was only able to offer some press conferencisms, and not any tangible information, when asked a follow question about the transfer window.
“After many years in football, I think nothing’s going to change if you have different moods or humor,” he added.
“You need to be relaxed, working hard. My focus is trying to help the team and develop the way we want to play and arrive in the best condition to start the season. Nothing’s going to change if I change my behavior or the way I act.”
The clock is ticking to get some deals done. The other five clubs in the big six have all made additions that stressed areas of need within their sides. It’s time for White Hart Lane to do the same if they wish to keep up with the Jones.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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