Following another fifth-placed finish for Tottenham in 2014-15, the consensus is that it is an important summer in the transfer market for the North London club.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be given a licence to bring in new faces to bolster his squad, with a number of new additions already moving to White Hart Lane.

Along with central defender Kevin Wimmer, Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier has been scooped up by Spurs.

On first sight, purchasing players who have been part of relegated teams may not be the wisest ploy to finish in the top four - but the former Manchester City youngster’s acquisition makes sense for Tottenham on this occasion.

Trippier was widely regarded as one of the best and most consistent performers in Sean Dyche’s plucky side last season and has proven that he has the ability to play in the Premier League.

A tenacious tackler, ardent defender and rising prospect, the right-back fulfils the blueprint for Spurs signings; young, English and brimming with potential.

However, the most important facet of the transfer is that it will provide competition for places in a position that has been dominated by one man for too long.

Spurs fans have long moaned about the team’s lack of credible options at left-back, but Danny Rose’s improvement towards the end of the campaign suggests that the former Leeds man could be the incumbent in the position for years to come.

On the other flank, Spurs have relied on England international Kyle Walker, who has caught the eye with his pace and ability to get forward over recent years.

Despite the former Sheffield United man’s prolificacy on the front foot, most of the White Hart Lane faithful would agree that Walker’s positional play and ability to stamp out opposition attacks has been questionable for some time.

One of the main issues that the current first choice has had in recent years is a lack of competition for places.

The likes of Kyle Naughton and others have been fellow right-back options, but in truth Walker has always been selected when he is fit and able to play.

Although Spurs have also brought DeAndre Yedlin to the club, the USA international is seemingly not ready for Premier League football and there is every likelihood that the former Seattle Sounders man could be loaned out ahead of next season.

In Trippier however, Walker has a real competitor for a place in Pochettino’s starting XI and will go head-to-head with arguably a better defender than him in the battle to be first choice.

The new signing may well lack the reputation or ability on the front foot that Walker possesses, but his work-rate and defensive persistence will surely endear him to the Tottenham fans if he gets a chance to play in the first team.

Walker will more than likely continue as the club’s first-choice right-back, but having Tripper as competition could well be the spark that he needs to improve and play to his best.

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