A new era awaits Tottenham Hotspur as they prepare to move into their revamped £800 million (Dh3.8 billion) home, but the same issues have bedeviled a frustrating pre-season.
The 62,062-seat venue in North London will provide the Premier League with yet another iconic arena when fellow title challengers Liverpool come to town on September 15.
A challenge awaits manager Mauricio Pochettino in his fifth campaign at the helm to take the final step and transform arguably the competition’s strongest XI into a team that wins silverware.
But the uncompromising figure of chairman Daniel Levy looms large. Spurs are the only side in the competition to come into the final week of the transfer window without making any first-team additions, or sales.
RESULTS
L 4-1 Girona
W 1-0 AC Milan
D 2-2 Barcelona
W 4-1 Roma
Tottenham have paid the price for their success.
Nine members of their celebrated roster made World Cup 2018’s semi-finals, meaning a depleted side was taken to the United States. This number included Golden Boot holder Harry Kane, France’s winning captain Hugo Lloris and key midfielder Dele Alli.
A situation, of course, that has not been helped by the dust collecting on the club’s chequebook.
Denmark’s Christian Eriksen, Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez and South Korea’s Son Heung-min – who will be absent later this month because of the Asian Games – were all available for the 4-1 friendly victory against Roma in San Diego as their International Champions Cup commitments began in style.
French winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou then staked his claim to avoid another loan spell away with successive goals in the 2-2 draw with La Liga champions Barcelona in California and the 1-0 victory against AC Milan in Minneapolis.
This feel-good factor came to a shuddering halt in Girona when a Spurs side peppered with youngsters went down to a 4-1 loss.
The visitors had taken the lead through Brazil forward Lucas Moura’s fierce free-kick.
TRANSFER BUSINESS
Key ins:
Key outs: Keanan Bennetts – Borussia Monchengladbach, undisclosed, Anton Walkes – Portsmouth, undisclosed
Levy has become infamous for leaving his dealings to the last minute and refusing to budge an inch.
The 56-year-old has become almost a parody of this image since 2017/18 came to an end.
Links to Manchester United’s Anthony Martial, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Tottenham’s Jack Grealish have, thus far, come to naught with Thursday’s deadline moving ever closer.
“We are working so hard but still we are like it’s the first day of the transfer window – with no signings,” Pochettino said.
“I think I am not the person to explain it.”
Spurs’ best piece of business came in June when captain Kane inked a six-year contract, putting talk of Real Madrid’s interest to bed.
But Pochettino’s mood is hardly likely to be lifted by the fact several high-profile departures may precede any arrivals.
Tottenham have been haggling all summer with Manchester United about Belgium centre-back Toby Alderweireld. Brinkmanship between Levy and opposite number Ed Woodward has seen last term’s runners-up linked to a number of alternative options as they attempt to put the squeeze on.
England left-back Danny Rose and Belgium centre midfielder Mousa Dembele are also reported to be available, if the price is right.
Alarm has also been caused by the expected decision of highly promising striker Reo Griffiths, who scored 33 goals for the Under-18s last season, to join Lyon.
TWO GOOD
Home is where the Hart is
All the teething problems and sense of temporariness during a year on the road at Wembley Stadium will have been worth it for 2017/18’s third-placed finishers when they step out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Talk of a ‘Wembley curse’ grew interminable when Chelsea put a 19-game unbeaten home run to an end last August.
They would only fall to defeat once more, showing the character and resolve inherent within the ranks. Now, just one more fixture awaits under the arches – versus promoted Fulham on August 18 – before the big move.
White Hart Lane is change beyond all recognition. But 2016/17’s final campaign saw them go unbeaten in the top flight, also racking up a remarkable 14 victories in succession.
Upon such form are title challenges built.
Lucas is shining light
Brazil forward Lucas Moura was always likely to be a medium-term project for Spurs.
He arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in January after making just six substitute appearances in the first half of 2017/18.
Pochettino used his new buy sparingly in the Premier League, where his six run-outs generated one assist.
There are signs this patience was worthwhile. The highlight of the summer for him came with a two-goal haul against Roma.
TWO BAD
Fill in the gaps
Tottenham’s transfer inactivity could not have come at a worse time.
With World Cup absentees almost counted in double digits when the pre-season action began, Pochettino has had precious little time on the training ground to iron out any kinks or work on the tactical variations required to chase down runaway champions Manchester City.
It is only natural to feel frustration, even though Levy has always been renowned for his parsimony and a new stadium must be paid for.
There was also a sense that last term saw a backwards step taken by Spurs. Even one elite, early addition would have lifted the mood and sent out a message of intent.
Now, Spurs are left scrambling.
Son will be missed
A pragmatic agreement was reached with South Korea this month for forward Son Heung-min to potentially miss several matches at the Asian Games, with the wider prize of potentially dodging his nation’s 21-month military service if a gold medal is won.
Son will be present for August 11’s opener against Newcastle. But he could then be missing until September 2, during which three top-flight games will take place – including a visit to Manchester United.
With zero activity in the transfer market, Spurs will miss an electric attacker who plundered 12 Premier League goals last term.
VERDICT: C
Spurs’ reticence and brinkmanship in the transfer market has overshadowed what should be a positive move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The fact that history repeats itself in almost every window does not lessen the frustration for Pochettino and the supporters.
Results have been mixed, albeit with the mitigation of World Cup absentees.
The pressure is on to turn promise into trophies. It will take a fevered Thursday to think Pochettino has been provided with the means to take this giant, final step.
