In a season that could have been so much more than it turned out to be, Spurs managed to achieve a third-placed finish, which brought with it the return of Tottenham to Europe’s top competition, the Champions League.
However, in a strange campaign just gone, we not only saw Leicester City win the title, we also saw Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City endure poor and under-par campaigns. With those three big guns bringing in new recruits both in the dugout and on the pitch, it is fair to say that this Premier League season will be much more competitive than the last one, and Spurs will for sure find it harder to break into the top four once again. Mauricio Pochettino will also have the added challenge of juggling the Champions League as well as the Premier League, and finding the correct formula for the Lilywhites to succeed in both competitions.
If Spurs are to find their way into the top four for a second year in a row, here are three players that I believe MUST stay fit throughout the season. Use the navigation below to move through the post.
1) Toby Alderweireld
In their title challenge last season, Spurs had the joint best defensive record in the league, conceding just 35 goals in 38 games, a record that could be matched only by Manchester United under the negative Louis van Gaal.
The Belgian centre-back played a huge part in helping Spurs keep clean sheets, making crucial last ditch challenges as well as being able to form strong, solid partnerships with either Jan Vertonghen and Kevin Wimmer. The Belgian international has become known for his quality defensive work, but his classic calm distribution from the back.
Not only is the 27-year-old defensive sound, he also managed to pose a huge threat in an attacking sense too, making presence known in the penalty area, especially from corners. Alderweireld was probably Spurs’ most consistent player last season, starting all 38 Premier League games, and bagging himself four goals from centre-back.
