With Tottenham securing the fourth spot and potentially getting a shot at the champions league next season, what must Harry Redknapp do to ensure that his side maintain and stay within the top four year in year out from now on?
Some neutral fans (and maybe even a number of Spurs fans) may feel that the lilywhites had lady-luck on their side this year. Others may feel that they fully deserved and earned the right to play in Europe’s biggest tournament next season. Whatever people may think, Harry Redknapp and his players have done an amazing job.
As a result of their outcome this season, Harry Redknapp will have sufficient funds available to utilize this summer. So surely with expected arrivals, and a team who already have a big squad depth, Spurs can keep hold of the luxury fourth spot for years to come? Maybe even go one better, who knows.
A lot of factors will come into play if Tottenham wish to stay up there along with the big dogs of the Premier League.
Many Spurs fans will feel that the current squad may need a few new additions added before the new season kicks off…two new arrivals may do the trick for some people. Acquiring a top striker this summer may be the most essential objective Spurs must do in order to keep hold of their fourth place next season. A forward that can bag the club at least 25-30 goals a season would do wonders for the club. Granted, it will be hard to find and obtain this player, but Redknapp is a man that can certainly accomplish this…will he is another question though.
The club already have Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane. But are these strikers able to help the club sustain their big four status in the league? In 38 games this season, Spurs accumulated a total of 67 goals in the Premier League...a possible cry out for another striker this summer?
The attack force may not be the area that needs strengthening at all; in fact, the main focal point this summer may involve the backline instead.
Ledley King is a top draw defender but he is very much injury prone. These days the centre-back can barely play two games in a row because of this. Jonathan Woodgate, 3 appearances this season says it all really. This may concern the fans and manager alike, and an investment in the defence may be on the cards this summer. Are Sebastian Bassong, Younes Kaboul and Vedran Corluka good enough replacements for when Ledley King and Michael Dawson are absent? (Spurs fans can answer this one)
As well as purchasing players this summer, most importantly for Redknapp and the club they will need to keep hold of their biggest stars, their ‘crown jewels’ when the window re-opens in July.
Luka Modric has been a red-hot target for Manchester United in recent weeks, and Redknapp has time and time again reiterated that the Croat is not for sale at any price. However, The Englishman should, and will, expect to see other clubs (domestic and European) come knocking on the door for Modric again this summer. Modric is their star man, their player that pulls the strings, and the club must do everything in their power to keep the Croatian at White Hart Lane next season.
As well as Modric, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Heurelho Gomes are a few other mentions that must stay at the club in order for it to grow into a bigger one.
Spurs do have a massive squad (one of the biggest in the league) and possibly should look to offload some of the deadwood; this would recoup more transfer funds for the manager to use. However, a big squad depth will be vital for a season that Spurs are preparing for.
Redknapp (and credit to him) loves to adopt and play a traditional 4-4-2 formation. It certainly suits the players he has at the club and proved effective this season, but the Spurs boss may have to rethink his strategy, especially on European nights. 4-3-3 (4-5-1) certainly seems to be the most popular formation in the game at present, and maybe it’s time Redknapp followed suit. Although, if the Spurs boss has a winning formula then why should he change it, right?
All these factors must be taken into consideration in order to answer the question at hand. Manchester City will be hot on their heels as they look to strengthen their side in pursuit of a champion’s league spot next season.
It will be interesting to see what Redknapp conjures up between now and the start of the new Premier League season. So, can Tottenham maintain their top 4 status next season? We’ll have to wait and see what transpires in the following months.
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