Hey GB
@Sinn Fein, resident Spurs expert.
It seems our Spurs are really busy right now and filling up the transfer rumor mill more than usual. (My experience as a dedicated fan only goes back a few years.)
Here's the things rumored in the works currently.
Incoming: Zaha, N'Koudou, some backup goalie on loan, Calhanoglu
Outgoing: Bentaleb, Son, N'Jie
And these are just the rumors. Yedlin is already gone, Wanyama and Jannsen already in.
So is all this activity just to ensure depth for the UCL? I understand the subtractions aren't huge and largely contingent on the incomings, but any further thoughts on why so much activity? I'm enjoying the changes tho, they are exciting. I just really didn't see some of these move coming, primarily I guess Zaha.
N'Koudou - brings a bit of pace and "trickery" to the wing - a missing element in the squad right now. N'jie was supposed to fill that role, but is still a bit raw - hence the deal hinges on them swapping places.
Zaha - I think this is just a contingency if Son and Chadli are sold. Rumors are Pochettino is not enamored with Son, and if Wolfsburg comes up with a big enough bid he could go back to Germany. Chadli just does not fit the high energy needed from the wing, but he is not being forced out, just has to make a decision on how much he wants to play.
Pau - the back-up goalie from Espanyol - I think this one is done, pending a medical, loan with an option to buy - he is the long-term replacement for Lloris, and might even allow for Vorm to be sold this transfer window or in January. Lloris' injury makes Vorm's transfer a bit tougher at the moment, though Lloris is expected back after the international break.
Calhanoglu - this one is really the long-term (as early as next season) replacement for Eriksen. Word is that Eriksen is not completely happy at Spurs - mostly from being moved from the #10 role to the AML role to accommodate Alli in the center. Eriksen has not yet signed his contract extension and, while it is still expected to happen, he could be off next summer. I think he always looked at Spurs as a stepping stone to a club like Real Madrid - and while he is a good player, he has not developed into a galactico...
ETA - this one also relies on outgoing sales - Levy is not going to buck the trend of zero net-spend just because they have CL...
Bentaleb - real fall from grace - went from starting MF to out of the picture, and burned a few bridges along the way. It started when he and his reps dragged out contract negotiations last summer, and even went public with their frustration. Then Bentaleb got injured, lost his place in the first team, then decided to return from injury by playing for Algeria before he had been back in the squad - and proceeded to get injured again playing for Algeria. The last straw came this summer when he apparently told Poch he need to play more, or his agents would have to find other alternatives. This was prior to the Aussie tour, and Poch mentioned then that Bentaleb was no longer in his plans, and since then Bentaleb had been sent to train with the U21s. So, now he is at Schalke on loan with an option to buy.
Poch was very upset with how Spurs capitulated in the final few games of the season - after Alli and Dembele were suspended. So, part of what we are seeing now is ensuring that the quality of the depth is improved. Wanyama and Janssen both look capable of being in the starting XI - so no fall off when they start. Realistically, I think Poch still wants one AM who is a starting quality player - Zaha and/or N'Koudou. Personally, i think they still need a Dembele back-up at CM, because I am not thrilled with two DMs in Dier and Wanyama partnering in the pivot.
Poch does prefer to have a "small" squad, so I think he will approach Champions League similarly to how he approached the Group stage for Europa last year. He might flip his FBs, so that Walker and Rose play in CL, and Trippier and Davies play in the league games (or he might give them all a chance in CL depending on the opposition.) I expect Alderweield and Vertonghen to play most games, with Wimmer playing for Vertonghen occasionally. Decent chance Carter-Vickers gets to play in Cup games - at least early on. If nobody else comes in - the CM spots will mostly be a rotation of Dembele, Dier, and Wanyama - Winks is the youngster who can play the more attacking role - assuming Mason is sold (Mason will only leave, if Mason wants to leave). I expect Lamela to play most games, league and CL, while Eriksen and Alli will face some competition/rotation from Janssen (dropping Kane to the #10 role), and N'Koudou and/or Calhanoglu/Son.
In the Cup games, expect to see Onomah feature as an AM, and Marcus Edwards, the jewel of the system, to get some game time. Apparently Edwards was promised some game time this year as an enticement to sign his contract. He has been at Spurs since he was 8, but has been courted by the big-ger teams now that he is eligible to sign a pro contract. Exciting player, but needs to add some bulk to a tiny frame. He will be a future #10.
