Tottenham Hotspur are faced with a very overloaded team and with Mauricio Pochettino about to start his first season in charge of the club, all positions are up for grabs. Given time, it is very likely that their new manager will want to build his own squad, opening up opportunities for new players to step up while asking the current crop to prove their worth.
The first few weeks will be vital because it will show who Pochettino will keep and who will not be featuring in his plans come the January transfer window. Therefore, the only way to secure a regular team role is by performing better than everyone else.
With this in mind, here are FIVE Tottenham players that must prove their worth to their new manager this season...
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Hugo Lloris
Name: Hugo Lloris
Age: 27
Position: Goalkeeper
Nationality: France
Price: £13 - £15 million
Hugo Lloris was a firm favorite when he joined from Lyon back in 2012, but after some embarrassing results the previous season, he will need to step up his game to avoid being replaced. Out of 45 games last season, he kept 14 clean sheets but lost 58 goals.
With the recent addition of Michel Vorm from Swansea, any drop in form will mean there is adequate cover should Mauricio Pochettino decide to give Lloris some time on the bench.
Michael Dawson
Name: Michael Dawson
Age: 30
Position: Centre-back
Nationality: England
Price: £6 - £8 million
Michael Dawson’s time at Tottenham Hotspur may be coming to an end after failing to impress the previous season as other clubs begin to monitor his situation. Although he is currently still the club captain, a change in management could see Mauricio Pochettino look elsewhere for a regular leader.
The arrival of Eric Dier, who is dubbed the next John Terry, has sparked debate on whether the young 20-year-old defender should replace Dawson at the heart of the Spurs back line. The first few games will prove vital for the long serving centre-back.
Paulinho
Name: Paulinho
Age: 26
Position: Central Midfielder
Nationality: Brazil
Price: £12 - £15 million
Although Paulinho is a regular for the Brazil national team, he found it quite hard to secure a first team place at Tottenham Hotspur. Given his World Cup run, Mauricio Pochettino could give him another chance to impress after he fell down the pecking order under former manager Tim Sherwood.
Last season he opted for a move away from White Hart Lane having only featured in 30 Premier League matches, scoring six and assisting two. With many senior players battling for a place in the middle of the park, he needs to put last season’s worry behind him and start the new campaign fresh.
Erik Lamela
Name: Erik Lamela
Age: 22
Position: Right Winger
Nationality: Argentina
Price: £20 - £25 million
Currently seen as a Tottenham Hotspur flop following his £26 million move from Roma, his injury struck first season saw him hardly get a chance to play, yet alone impress his new side.
He featured in only nine Premier League games the entire previous season, but is now back and ready to prove his worth to his new manager. Lamela has already scored three pre-season goals and will surely make an effort to silence anyone who considers him a flop.
Roberto Soldado
Name: Roberto Soldado
Age: 29
Position: Striker
Nationality: Spain
Price: £20 - £25 million
Roberto Soldado only scored six goals out of 28 Premier League appearances, a stat that isn’t very convincing considering he was playing as a striker. He was suffering a huge goal drought in the second half of last season, but based on his pre-season form, it may not be the case this time around.
He was strongly linked with a return to Spain but scoring three goals in his last five pre-season matches may be just enough to convince Mauricio Pochettino to take another gamble on the striker. With only Emmanuel Adebayor and Harry Kane in contention for a spot up front, competition will be at a mere minimum.