Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs have stepped up yet another level this season, challenging the elites of Europe, but they still have plenty of room to improve this summer.

Spurs are currently 20 points shy of Manchester City, but given that no one has managed to even compete with City this season, judging them in relation to Pep Guardiola’s magnificent side is quite simply unfair.

The fact of the matter is Spurs are improving. After showing signs of domestic success in the last few seasons, the next step was to challenge Europe’s best in the Champions League, and despite getting a tough draw in the round of 16 they could yet find themselves in the quarter finals.

Pochettino has done a great job improving the depth in the attacking positions, and there are now five quality players competing for just three positions with Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Heung-min Son, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli all in great form. Still, there is work to be done if Spurs are to truly compete with the best of the best, and here’s three places they could start.

Upgrade the full backs

Losing Kyle Walker was a massive blow for Spurs, especially given how essential full backs are in Pochettino’s gameplan. Ben Davies has excelled on the left side this season, but there are still some unconvinced by the Welshman’s potential. It’s still anyone’s guess if Danny Rose will be in North London next season.

On the right side, Serge Aurier has been a disappointment since his summer move, losing composure and making rash challenges far too often. Kieran Trippier delivers some fantastic crosses, but on other days looks like he’s completely forgotten how to play football. Pochettino should follow Pep Guardiola’s example and seek two top-class full backs to use Trippier and Davies as the second choice options.

Find the player Vincent Janssen was supposed to be

Vincent Janssen was a massive disappointment after his £17million move to Spurs in 2016. Still, the idea was right – bring in a young and hungry striker to compete with Harry Kane. Kane is world class, but he simply cannot play every game every season. Fernando Llorente is a decent stopgap option, but the 33 year-old is not what Spurs need long term.

Janssen is still technically a Spurs player, on loan at Fenerbahçe, but it seems unlikely he can fill this role given how much of a disaster his start at Spurs was. Pochettino shouldn’t just sign a striker that is happy to be second choice to Kane; he should be seeking a striker that wants to compete with Kane.

Offer Toby Alderweireld whatever he wants

Spurs have some excellent young talent, and there may be some who think offering a 29 year-old a massive contract could disrupt the chemistry at the club. However, world class centre backs are a rare commodity, and a player like Alderweireld would cost a fortune if he were brought in now from somewhere else – just ask Jürgen Klopp. Spurs cannot afford to lose the Belgian, especially to one of their rivals. The club must do whatever it takes to keep the 68-cap Belgian, or they risk losing everything they’ve worked so hard for.