Champions League runners-up Tottenham experienced a busy deadline day to complete a successful transfer window after remaining inactive in the previous two.
Tanguy Ndombele and Ryan Sessegnon shifted base to North London, while Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso joined the club on a season-long loan.
Right-back Kieran Trippier and Vincent Janssen made their way out of the club. Jack Clarke was purchased from Leeds United and sent back on a one-year loan.
Does the new-look Spurs squad hold more promise than the side that conceded defeat to Liverpool at Madrid?
We take a deeper look at the Spurs squad going into the 2019/20 season and grade the different departments.
Goalkeepers – B
Hugo Lloris and Paulo Gazzaniga will be Spurs’ men between the sticks for the following season. The club captain still has several years left before the inevitable decline kicks in.
Comparing Lloris to the likes of Ederson and Alisson would be unfair, given they have perched themselves on top of the pile. But the Frenchman has displayed consistency regularly to be considered a top player.
The back-up custodian Gazzaniga impressed during Lloris’ short spells of absence last season. Spurs lost just one game in four that had the Argentine guarding the posts and it came against eventual champions Manchester City.
The pairing between the posts is certainly not the best in the Premier League but Spurs do enjoy two reliable pair of hands.
Defence – B
Spurs are blessed with quality and depth in the full-back position but could have considered recruiting a centre-back, given Toby Alderweireld is strongly linked to a move away from the club.
Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen should constitute a solid pairing but the lack of depth could attract trouble during the business end of the season.
The fourth-choice centre-back Juan Foyth lacks the experience to take over on a long-term basis, should an injury be inflicted upon the starters.
The full-backs act as a saving grace and thus prevent the defence from receiving a C+ grade. Danny Rose and Serge Aurier will be taking guard at left-back and right-back respectively and the departure of Trippier is unlikely to cause much harm on the flanks.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Ben Davies should serve as able deputies and the option of playing the new-signing Sessegnon as a wing-back is also present.
Midfield – A
There are only a handful of midfield combinations in Europe that could claim to be an upgrade over what Spurs have in store for the 2019/20 season. This talented midfield at the disposal of Mauricio Pochettino promises to be a treat.
Spurs are likely to play a 4-2-3-1, with Lo Celso and Ndombele shaping the double pivot. Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min are favourites to start on either side of attacking midfield, with Dele Alli assuming the no10 role.
Each of the above-mentioned players possesses a unique attribute that provides the team well-rounded armoury at the centre of the pitch.
Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, and Sessegnon are the back-ups in midfield that Spurs have at their disposal. A good blend of youth, potential and experience decorate a competitive midfield that holds a lot of promise.
Attack – B+
Spurs have one of the best strikers in the league spearheading the attack. Harry Kane was subjected to an injury-ridden season that prevented him from playing a part in some of his team’s crucial games towards April/May last season.
However, the North Londoners had no problems in dealing with his absence, as evidenced by their deep run in the Champions League. However, this lack of reliance over Kane could be an exception rather than the norm.
This means that Spurs should have considered pursuing a back-up for the English striker, with Fernando Llorente departing from the club.
Lucas Moura did a great job when played up front last season as did Son. But Kane remains the only out-and-out centre-forward at the club.
