TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Last season: 2nd Title odds: 9/1 Ins: None
Outs: Kyle Walker (Man City, £45m), Federico Fazio (Roma, £2.75m), Clinton N’jie (Marseille, £6m), Charlie Owens (QPR, free), Filip Lesniak (released), Thomas Mcdermott (released), Joe Muscatt (released), Zenon Stylianides (released), Juan Velasco (released), Luke Mcgee (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Connor Ogilvie (Gillingham, loan), Tom Glover (Central Coast Mariners, loan).
What will be the tactics?
Mauricio Pochettino wants his Tottenham team to be as flexible as possible. He switched between a back four and a back three last season and is sure to do the same again. The full-backs, or wing-backs, are crucial to the way Pochettino sets up Spurs and that is why the ability to replace Kyle Walker will be key. Kieran Trippier is a ready-made replacement for Walker at right-back and the 26-year-old arguably provides better delivery from advanced positions. If the totemic Harry Kane can stay fit for the entire campaign, then Tottenham are sure to be in the title race shake-up for a third season in succession.
Who looks the most exciting signing?
At the time of writing, Tottenham had not made a single signing this summer. That will not remain the case at the end of the transfer window, but Spurs have struggled to identify players they could afford who would improve on what they already have. Ross Barkley could flourish under Pochettino if Tottenham manage to get him ahead of Chelsea.
Which unknown could make a name for themselves?
Pochettino has already made it clear that he will continue to give young players a chance to shine at Tottenham and this could be the season in which the club’s fans see a bit more of 18-year-old Marcus Edwards, who has already been likened to a young Lionel Messi. No pressure then.
Who’s the one player they cannot do without?
The logical answer is Kane, but Tottenham coped quite well without their talisman while he was injured for long periods of last season. Mousa Dembele is always a huge miss for Tottenham in midfield, but losing Dele Alli (right) for any sustained period would arguably be the biggest blow.
How safe is the manager?
Pochettino’s position has to be among the most secure in the Premier League. The Argentine has delivered Champions League qualification for two successive seasons on a strict budget and has also challenged for the title. His critics will point out he is yet to win a trophy, but it cannot be long until Pochettino adds silverware to his management CV. Once he does, the biggest clubs in Europe will come knocking at Tottenham’s door to try to take their manager but it seems unlikely he would go anywhere before leading the club into their new stadium next season.
Who would be the most appropriate celebrity fan?
Justin Bieber: emerging from a cocoon of throwaway entertainment to become something of an unstoppable edgy butterfly.