Premier League 2018/19 review: Tottenham running on empty after no investment
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has made it quite clear that he will not stick around if he is not backed in the summer. The north London outfit were the only Premier League team not to sign a single player this season and Mauricio Pochettino did well to guide them to a top four finish, though they made an almighty mess of it in the end.
They were briefly in touching distance of Manchester City and Liverpool at the start of the year but finished the campaign with just three wins from their final 12 league games. Tottenham fans will care very little about their form towards the end of the season if they beat Liverpool in next month’s Champions League final, however it clearly concerns Pochettino.
Whether it's a lack or investment or the fact Tottenham had to play all but five of their home league matches at Wembley, it has been an incredibly disruptive season for Pochettino's side, who also sold Mousa Dembele at the start of the year and missed their star man, Harry Kane, through injury for nine league matches.
Furthermore, eight of Pochettino’s regular starting XI made it to at least the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and didn’t have anywhere close to a normal pre-season. Pochettino deserves credit for what Tottenham have achieved this season and the three-week break before the Champions League final has come at a good time for his squad.
Top rated player – Harry Kane (7.38)
Harry Kane’s run of scoring at least 20 goals in four straight Premier League campaigns came to an end this season, as another serious ankle injury forced him out of Tottenham’s final six league matches. Kane nevertheless finished on 17 goals for the season, only five shy of the Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who all shared the Golden Boot.
The England captain also registered four assists, double the amount he provided in 2017/18, while winning the WhoScored Man of the Match award on six occasions. Kane is on course to be fit for the Champions League final in June and his availability would be a huge boost for Pochettino’s side.
Biggest Disappointment – Dele Alli
Dele Alli’s WhoScored rating has decreased for the second season in succession at Tottenham. He finished 2016/17 with a rating of 7.35 in the league after scoring 18 goals and providing five assists, but that decreased to 7.09 in 2017/18 and down to 6.95 this season.
The 23-year-old was carrying an injury during the 2018 World Cup and a lack of pre-season has not helped him recapture his best form and fitness this season. Alli, who is a fitness doubt for the Champions League final, only managed five goals and three assists in 25 league appearances this season. He turned in just one WhoScored Man of the Match display in the league and will surely benefit from a summer free of international football.
Surprise Package – Moussa Sissoko
Moussa Sissoko was not part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans last summer and available for transfer, so the fact he started 27 league games and made the fourth most amount of minutes of all Tottenham outfielders this season is quite astonishing.
Pochettino’s hand was forced in part due to the fact other midfielders have spent so much of the season injured and no one was signed, but Sissoko has taken his first-team opportunity with aplomb.
Sissoko is currently getting in the Tottenham side on merit, rather than being the only available option, and will likely start for Pochettino’s side in next month’s Champions League final.
The France international failed to score and only registered three assists in 29 league appearances this season but you cannot overlook his impact in Tottenham’s midfield this season. While others have looked leggy, Sissoko’s energy and drive from midfield has been crucial.
It’s unlikely that Sissoko will be such a mainstay in the Tottenham team next season but he has performed beyond expectations when Pochettino needed it most.
Where to Improve – Upgrade on Trippier
Having last signed a player in January 2018, it’s fair to say Tottenham will need to bolster a number of positions over the summer. Whether the money is made available is another question, but Pochettino has already delivered chairman Daniel Levy an ultimatum of sorts.
Pochettino is keen to discard some of the fringe players in his squad, with the likes of Fernando Llorente, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Serge Aurier, Vincent Janssen and Erik Lamela all free to leave for suitable fees. According to reports, Kieran Trippier could also be on his way out this summer.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and Napoli have even confirmed a shock interest in the England international, who has failed to rediscover the same breathtaking form he showed at the 2018 World Cup.
Trippier still finished the campaign as Tottenham’s second highest WhoScored rated player (5+ apps) in the Premier League this season (7.10) but supporters are keen for an upgrade. Tottenham will need two new right-backs if both Aurier and Trippier leave.
League Position: 4th
Grade: C
Very good review, but where Tottenham truly need improvement is bottom of the midfield. Dier and Wanyama have successfully partnered Dembele in the past, but now that Belgian's gone they no longer look like starting material. Sissoko has been positive surprise this season and Winks and Skipp have shown good signs, but none of them can be first team regular if Spurs want to challenge City and Liverpool. Suitable midfielders are hard to come by, but NDombele from Lyon could be one option to consider. Ander Herrera or Indrissa Gana would be good addition too, if they haven't already agreed to join another club. Ndidi is very interesting player too, he would bring stability to midfield despite his relatively young age. Andre Gomes has been linked to Tottenham but he hardly impressed at Everton so signing him would be a quite surprise.