Mauricio Pochettino could have a tough job on his hands when he is back with his Spurs players. With the five England men who faced the humiliating heartbreak against Iceland, morale could be well down ahead of the new campaign and it will probably take some positive results and some new faces to cheer up a squad that has barely recovered from their crushingly poor end to last season.

The climax of the 2015/16 campaign was bad enough, but the fact that so many of Pochettino's best players either got themselves suspended or went through an uncharacteristic period of truly pathetic form has raised questions. It's a case of sewing together what they have/had and adding a few nice little patterns to complement Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli.

There's a lot to do if Tottenham think they can compete with their big spending rivals for the title next year. Just a pointer for Poch, these FIVE might help...

Dries Mertens

If Pochettino fancies adding to the significant Belgian contingent at Spurs, Napoli's Dries Mertens must be a strong candidate.

The winger possesses pace that neither Erik Lamela nor Christian Eriksen can offer and is more likely to stick to a wider position. Although this isn't a staple of Pochettino's philosophy, Mertens would certainly offer a new option.

Ivan Perisic

Few players are as versatile as Ivan Perisic. Despite usually playing in a wide area, Perisic can play in a deeper midfield role, as a false nine of just off of the main striker. In a system with as a much flexibility as Pochettino's, this would be hugely useful as players begin to tire.

Perisic's antics at the EUROs show just how good he can be and there are few better managers than Pochettino to bring that potential to the fore.

Andre Gomes

Valencia's Andre Gomes, like Perisic, is a vastly versatile player who can play across the midfield or in attacking midfield support roles.

The Portuguese star has not been quite the player that many would have expected to see at the EUROs, but that is unlikely to put off potential suitors.

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Christian Benteke

Once a stalwart of the Tottenham transfer rumour pages, Benteke looks to be living on borrowed time at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp plots to change the look of his squad.

Although he's hardly likely to slip comfortably into Pochettino's pressing either, Benteke would be a quality addition for when Spurs need to rest Harry Kane. A target man by nature, Benteke's link-up play is an under-rated attribute and would be ideal to bring the midfield runners in to the game.

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Benedikt Howedes

Howedes has been a member of the irrepressible German squad over the past few years and it has been his own flexibility positionally that has granted him a regular place.

Able to play at either full-back role - which Tottenham have well covered - Howedes is more naturally a centre-back and has excelled in that position during the past few seasons with Schalke.

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