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Writer's pictureLee Clow

Assessing Tottenham's Team: Are They Good Enough?

Updated: Jan 22, 2020


Is Tottenham’s team good enough? Is it time for a change?

Image Credit: Twitter


By Lee Clow _

Goalkeepers:


  • Hugo Lloris (1)

It’s a tricky one with Lloris, he’s a World Cup winning captain and one of the world’s best shot stoppers, but he is 33 and mistake prone. The Tottenham captain has been fantastic servant for the club over the past 8 years, but I think his best days are behind him. I see Lloris as Tottenham’s number one for one or two more seasons, but I feel the club will soon have to dip into the market for a replacement, a task which will not be easy.

Score: 6/10

  • Michel Vorm (13)

Michel Vorm was drafted back into Spurs, since being released, in October when Lloris suffered a horrible arm injury. He’s proved a reliable servant over the past 5 years but at 36 he no longer is Premier League standard. It’s fair to say Vorm will once again be leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract is up.

Score: 3/10

  • Paulo Gazzaniga (22)

Like with Lloris, Gazzaniga is a tricky one. The Argentine goalkeeper has proved he is a reliable back for Lloris but is he the standard for a club who are top 4 regulars and pushing for trophies? I unfortunately think not and feel Gazzaniga will always be a good goalkeeper but not a great goalkeeper.

Score: 7/10


Fullbacks:

  • Danny Rose (3)

3 years ago, Danny rose was arguably the best left back in the league. The transformation Mauricio Pochettino accomplished with Rose was phenomenal, but I feel his time is up now at spurs. Jose Mourinho clearly does not rate the left back with Jan Vertonghen and Ryan Sessegnon playing ahead of him. Rose has started he will leave after his contract expires which will mean he will have been at the club for over 13 years.

Score: 3/10

  • Kyle Walker-Peters (16)

Unfortunately, Kyle Walker-Peters has not got the quality to become spurs’ number one right back. The 23-year-old has been given little game time to prove his worth and I feel now he should either be sold or be sent on loan to kick start his career. With many reports circulating around Walker-Peters, it is likely the Spurs full back with be allowed to leave on loan and be given a chance to get some game time under his belt.

Score: 5/10

  • Serge Aurier (24)

When Kyle Walker left Spurs for Manchester City many fans thought they had the ideal replacement in Serge Aurier. However, it hasn’t gone to plan for the Ivorian who has struggled to settle into the Premier league since joining from PSG. The right back played second fiddle to Kieran Trippier during his spurs career and even now as first choice he has struggled making costly mistakes. A replacement at right back for Tottenham is certainly needed if they are to push for titles and trophies.

Score: 5/10

  • Ben Davies (33)

If it wasn’t for his current injury, Ben Davies would be starting for Tottenham right now. He has been ever reliable for Tottenham since joining from Swansea in 2014. He has battled with his place with Rose, but I feel he now has the position for himself. Once he returns from the treatment table, he will certainly be restored to the starting 11.

Score: 8/10


Centre Backs:

  • Toby Alderweireld (4)

Toby Alderweireld has been a rock at the back for spurs since he arrived from Atletico Madrid. Mr Consistent developed one of the best central defensive partnerships, with Jan Vertonghen, during his time at spurs which has helped the club reach new highs. His form has dipped in recent times, but I believe he is one of the top centre backs in world football and with the recent news of his extended deal the Belgium will certainly be ever present in spurs back line for a few more years.

Score: 9/10

  • Jan Vertonghen (5)

For me this is a hard one. Jan Vertonghen has proved over the years he, like Alderweireld, he is one of the top centre backs in the world. However, the Belgium is 32 now and is showing signs of slowing down. Once was the best defence in the league is now one of the worst and I feel Vertonghen will no longer be part of it in the near future. I hope Vertonghen stays for one more year, not necessarily starting, but hopefully so he can win a trophy which he is deserves for his loyalty over the past 8 years.

Score: 6/10

  • Davinson Sanchez (6)

Davinson Sanchez is the future of Tottenham’s defence. The 23-year-old Columbian has been a great addition to Spurs since arriving in 2017. He hasn’t been perfect, but I feel he has grown especially under the guidance of Alderweireld and Vertonghen. I feel if Spurs recruit and find another top young centre back to partner Sanchez then their defence will be worthy of winning titles and/or trophies.

Score: 9/10

  • Juan Foyth (21)

Juan Foyth is another difficult one. He has all the qualities to become a top centre back however his inexperience has let him down. I feel he should stay at Spurs as I believe he will be given the opportunity to grow but I worry that he will want to leave as he won’t get enough game time at this current moment. A loan or maybe a positional change to central defensive midfield could potentially be the answer for Foyth.

Score: 7/10

  • Cameron Carter Vickers (38)

I feel Carter-Vickers time is up at Spurs. He has not gone from strength to strength since making his debut back in 2016 and now is struggling to find success on loan. I feel Cater Vickers will be on his way out of the club in the near future.

Score: 4/10

  • Taphet Tanganga (39)

From what I saw in pre-season, Tanganga has a lot of potential. He showed great strength, confidence and ability on the ball which are all good signs for Tottenham. I think a loan is best for him but priority right now is to get him to sign a new deal to keep him at the club so he can keep growing.

Score: 6/10


Central Midfielders:

  • Harry Winks (8)

I think Harry Winks is good little player who can succeed at Spurs. The England midfielder is great on the ball and can pick a pass. To succeed further, Winks has to stay fit and become a regular in the Tottenham midfield. A proper holding player alongside him will help him unleash his potential and help contribute to Tottenham’s attack.

Score: 7/10

  • Victor Wanyama (12)

Unfortunately, Victor Wanyama’s career at Spurs is over. The Kenyan has struggled with constant injuries and no longer is the player he was in his first season at the club. With only 2 appearances to his name this season, Wanyama will certainly be out of the club in the January window. Shame.

Score: 1/10

  • Eric Dier (15)

Eric Dier’s career has stalled significantly over the past couple of years. He was one of the most promising holding midfielders in the league and was an England regular. However, injuries have plagued him, and he is now struggling to get back into both the Spurs and England set up. With the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Dier has been given a second chance given Mourinho’s love for a holding midfielder. I hope Dier can find his form as I believe he can be an important player for Spurs in their push for trophies.

Score: 5/10

  • Moussa Sissoko (17)

What a turnaround this man has had, once labelled as a scapegoat he is now become one of Spurs’ most important players. The midfielder who is full of running has given the Spurs midfield a lot of energy which I feel has been lacking since the loss of Mousa Dembele. At 30, I feel Sissoko has a few more years in him but I feel is not worthy of a starting place. To me, Sissoko is a good squad player but does not have the top qualities that will push Spurs on.

Score: 7/10

  • Tanguy Ndombele (28)

Tanguy Ndombele is what Spurs have been looking for since Mousa Dembele left the club. He has all the qualities that could make him one of the best central midfielders in the world however he is injury prone. If Ndombele can stay fit and become a regular in Tottenham’s midfield he can reach starlight and certainly bring success for to the club. Big times are ahead for the Frenchman and I hope he can deliver.

Score: 8/10

  • Oliver Skipp (29)

Like Winks, Oliver Skipp is good player who has the potential to become a Tottenham regular in the near future. Skipp is only 19 and has made 11 Premier League appearances. With the current injuries, I see Skipp becoming a useful player for Tottenham this season. Next season I think Skipp should go out on loan therefore he can gain more experience and get the minutes he needs to develop.

Score: 6/10


Attacking Midfielders:

  • Giovani Lo Celso (18)

Lo Celso has got amazing ability in his locker; we just have not seen it yet in a Tottenham shirt. The Argentine was signed on loan, with an option to buy, from Real Betis to serve as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, who looks certain to be on his way out. I believe Lo Celso will turn out good as a Spurs player and I think Mourinho should take the option of signing him at the end of the season. Lo Celso has a bright future and if he lives up to his potential, he could push Tottenham onto new highs.

Score: 7/10

  • Dele Alli (20)

For me Dele Alli is still one of the brightest sparks in English football. It is no lie that he has not been up to the standard he once was but most of that’s because he has set such high standards for himself. Since Mourinho took over, glimpses of the old Dele were seen and I feel if he continues in the way he is playing, then his fantastic form will return. Many forget Dele is only 23 and if he stays at Spurs, with the likes of Kane and Son, the club will become a huge threat in Europe, let alone the Premier League.

Score: 9/10

  • Christian Eriksen (23)

Unfortunately for myself and many other spurs fans, Christian Eriksen is certain to be leaving in the not so distant future. The Dane no longer looks interested and is clearly pushing for a move away. For me, I will always see Eriksen as one of the best players Tottenham have ever had. His creativity and vision are what has kept the club ticking over the past 7 years. It will certainly be a tough task to replace the former Ajax man, but I believe Spurs have the quality in Dele and Lo Celso to cope with the loss. It’s going to be painful to see him leave but all things come to an end.

Score: 6/10


Wingers:

  • Heung-Min Son (7)

Heung-Min Son is arguable one of Tottenham’s best players at the moment. Since his move in 2015, he has taken the Premier League by storm scoring 47 goals in 145 appearances. The South Korean plays his heart on his sleeve and is someone who takes Tottenham up a level. If he continues his consistent form for the club, he will certainly earn success in the seasons to come. A true favourite of many Spurs fans including myself.

Score: 10/10

  • Erik Lamela (11)

It’s a strange situation with Erik Lamela. You never know if he has reached his full potential because he always gets injured whilst in form. The Argentine has been at the club for 7 years now and I think if he doesn’t stay fit, he will soon be out the door by Jose Mourinho. Lamela has good quality and is a willing runner which is great for any manager, but it is too late? Time will tell for Lamela and I hope he can become the £30 million signing that Spurs paid for back in 2013.

Score: 7/10

  • Ryan Sessegnon (19)

I am a huge fan of this young talent and I hope he can establish himself into the Tottenham set up in the near future. Sessegnon is young, athletic and has great quality which I hope can be developed under Jose Mourinho. The left winger has already scored for the club, against Bayern Munich, and this was just a glimpse of what he can do. I am intrigued to see what’s in store for him and hope he can achieve similar success to Gareth Bale, who was in a very similar situation as Sessegnon earlier in his career.

Score: 7/10

  • Lucas Moura (27)

I will always remember Lucas Moura for providing Spurs a Champions League final place with his wonderful hattrick against Ajax in semi-final the second leg. The little Brazilian was overlooked at PSG but I feel at Tottenham he has been given a chance to show his talent which made him a huge prospect. The only concern I have with Moura is his consistency but nevertheless I believe he has the quality to be a start in the Tottenham team and achieve success at the club.

Score 8/10

  • Jack Clarke (N/A)

I have not seen much of Jack Clarke but from what I have heard, it sounds promising. The 19-year showed great potential at Leeds initially, but I feel his career stalled this season due to the club not giving him any game time. I am glad Spurs took the opportunity to recall the teenager as it’ll give them a chance to assess him and see where he needs to go next, whether that be on loan or in the first team plans.

Score: 6/10


Strikers:

  • Harry Kane (10)

There is not much more that I can say about Harry Kane than: club legend. The man who was overlooked in his early career has proven everyone wrong since and has become arguable the best striker in the world. The boyhood Tottenham fan has become Spurs’ 3rd all-time top goal scorer and has broken every other record. Kane has also proved on international duty that he can deliver and since making his debut he has become England’s talisman and captain. Tottenham are very lucky to have Kane, who has shown his loyalty to the club. If Spurs are to win anything in the near future, the priority for them is to keep Kane on their books as he is their best player. Tottenham’s future captain, a living legend: Harry Kane.

Score: 10/10

  • Troy Parrott (52)

Since Harry Kane has become Spurs’ main man up top, the club have struggled to find a good enough back with the likes of Roberto Soldado, Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente all struggling. However, with Troy Parrott I feel Spurs have a huge prospect who can become the new Kane. Parrott, at only 17, has shown his quality at youth level and this has earned him a call up to the Republic of Ireland set up. The young striker certainly has a lot to learn but I feel with the guidance of Kane and the right amount of game time, will help him succeed at the football club.

Score: 7/10


Overall:


Tottenham certainly need a change at the club. They have had pretty much the same team for the past 5 years and this formula has become stale. There are a few players who should leave the club soon as they are no longer needed. Despite that, Spurs do still have a top squad and with a little bit of recruitment and investment, the team could reach new heights and finally end their trophy drought.


Best Tottenham Team (19/20):


Starting 11:

GK: Lloris (C) RB: Aurier CB: Alderweireld CB: Vertonghen/Sanchez LB: Sessegnon/Davies CM: Winks/Dier CM: Ndombele RM: Moura/Lo Celso LM: Son CAM: Dele ST: Kane


Bench:

Gazzaniga Sanchez/Foyth Dier/Skipp Lamela Sissoko Lo Celso Eriksen/Parrott


Transfers Out:

Vorm Walker-Peters (Loan) Aurier Foyth (Loan) Carter-Vickers Tanganga (Loan) Rose Wanyama Skipp (Loan) Eriksen

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