Tottenham have had an excellent start to their 2016-2017 season, something defending Champions Leicester City have failed to do. Still unbeaten after 7 matches, Tottenham proved their title credentials this weekend when they tore Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City apart. The expectations will be high from Pochettino’s men this season after a wonderful last season, had it not been for the end of season slump, Tottenham could have easily dethroned Leicester from the top of the table. With every other direct rival strengthening this summer, Pochettino also dipped into his transfer kitty and brought in Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen, two top quality players who will not only add solidity to the team but will also give the squad the depth that it needs now that it is competing on 4 major fronts.
More than their attacking play, Pochettino will be most pleased with how solid his boys have been without the ball. Their organization and energy is by far the best in the league, Toby Alderweireld has undoubtedly been the best centre-back in the league over the past two seasons. In the seven games till now, Tottenham have just conceded three goals, all three from set-pieces. Pochettino has a settled back five, on whom he puts his faith week in week out. In Lloris, Spurs have a world class keeper, who is always there to save his team, when and if the opposition manage to get the ball through.
Rather than feeling disappointed at how last season ended, Pochettino has used the 3rd place finish as a driving force for his players this season. The players are totally in sync with their manager’s thoughts and his plans for the upcoming 7-8 months. One could say that Tottenham didn’t have the quality squad depth needed to challenge for the title last season but this time, the Argentine manager has at least two players for each position and it will be really crucial that he keeps rotating his squad otherwise there is a fear that his players might suffer a burnout.
In Victor Wanyama, the manager has a midfield powerhouse, who doesn’t shy from lunging into tackles and using his strength to keep the ball. In Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele etc, Tottenham have the physicality to be a huge threat from set-pieces. It is very hard to predict the winner right now but Tottenham will definitely be up there amongst the top four.
