Expectations will be high from Pochettino and his men after a brilliant last season where they finished 3rd on the table. It was only the string four winless games at the end of last season, that not only ended their title dreams but also saw them finish below their North-London rivals Arsenal. This season the manager will have a much tougher task on hand, given that all his direct rivals have strengthened hugely during the transfer window and the added fixture pile up due to their participation in the Champions League.
Tottenham did well initially by bringing Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama, however, transfer activity ground to a halt soon after until the deadline day when they brought Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez on a season-long loan and Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle.With the arrival of Lopez, Spurs have sent third-choice goalkeeper, Luke McGee,on loan to League One club Peterborough United. Lopez will be expected to compete with Michel Vorm to be the second choice keeper at White Hart Lane behind Hugo Lloris who recently returned from a hamstring injury.
Espanyol are currently under former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who was expected to continue with Lopez as the number one keeper at the club but his decision to bring in Roberto from Olympiakos was enough of an indication for the 21-year-old to look for new employers this summer. Lopez is famously remembered for repeatedly stamping on Lionel Messi as the two players got entangled as well as squaring off with Luis Suarez during a feisty Copa del Rey tie with Barcelona in January.
Mauricio Pochettino knows Lopez pretty well from his time at Espanyol. Ironically it was the Argentine and Tottenham’s current goalkeeping coach Toni Jiménez, who promoted Lopez to the first-team in Spain. His huge stature in the box gives him an important advantage while dealing with the balls coming in the air. He is also very aware and is excellent at making reflex on the line saves. Pau is known to be a very passionate footballer and loves football rivalries, something that Tottenham fans count on when their team takes on Arsenal this season.
Lopez might take time to make his place in the team but then he has been brought in to secure the future at White Hart Lane. His passion for football and superb agility and shot-stopping ability should make him a favourite among the fans
