Tottenham will be very busy today
Deadline Day is here and Tottenham fans are watching closely to see if Daniel Levy can pull a magical surprise out of his hat. Spurs clearly have several key questions to answer before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Frankly, Spurs fans should be more concerned with Levy providing Pochettino with multiple solid acquisitions as opposed to praying for a magical saviour to arrive. The squad’s starting XI is in excellent shape, but Pochettino lacks the depth to compete across all competitions. That could easily change if Levy provides him multiple signings today.
Of course, filling multiple holes on Deadline Day isn’t an easy task. Even a tireless negotiator like Levy will struggle to find value when time is so scarce. The challenge for Tottenham will be finding players who can help them at reasonable prices.
The club cannot afford to overpay for average talent like they have in the past (see Sissoko, Moussa). Then again, the summer transfer window is hardly a predictable science. Even the most savvy chairman can be fooled on Deadline Day. You can bet that Levy doesn’t want to get fooled again though.
Without further delay, let’s examine the questions that Tottenham must answer today. Fortunately for you, we’re going to provide you the most likely answers as well.
Leon edges scrappy FC Juarez to secure spot in playoffs
</a>
</li><li>
<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/megan-rapinoe-career-defined-more-farewell-match-injury/">
Megan Rapinoe’s career defined by more than farewell match injury
</a>
</li><li>
<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/barcelona-manage-comeback-alaves/">
Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona come back to beat Alaves 2-1
</a>
</li><li>
<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/liga-mx-leon-puebla-finales/">
León chasing play-in spot; Puebla aims for higher seeding
</a>
</li><li>
<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/11/12/tigres-goalie-america/">
Carlos Rodríguez emerges with clean sheet vs league leaders
</a>
</li></ul>
</div>
<p>If you’re hoping to see Sissoko offloaded, I think you’re set up for a serious disappointment. He may never justify his £30 million transfer fee but he has been a regular part of Pochettino’s matchday squad. Unless Spurs add significantly more players today than I expect, you can count on Sissoko sticking with Spurs for at least a few more months.</p>
<p>There is, however, one first team member that I think is in serious jeopardy of seeing his time at the club come to an end. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tottenham-misfit-vincent-janssen-tells-unhappiness-remains-coy-over-his-future-1637248">Vincent Janssen has recently admitted that he’s unhappy with his status at the club </a>and frankly, Spurs officials can’t be happy with the way he’s performed either.</p>
<p>Somewhat surprisingly, several other Premier League clubs are interested in acquiring him. Crystal Palace, in particular, seem like an appealing possible destination for the Dutch striker.</p>
<p>The only other potential flight risk is Georges-Kevin N’Koudou but I’m backing him to stay through the window. He’ll get another few months to prove his worth to Pochettino. The club can use his exceptional pace to trouble opponents from the substitute’s bench.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Is the Llorente rumour real? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-440996" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F08%2F826697224-tottenham-hotspur-v-juventus-pre-season-friendly.jpg.jpg" alt=""></p>
<h3>4. Is the Llorente rumour real?</h3>
<p>Late yesterday, rumours started to pop up all over England that <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/4357792/tottenham-transfer-news-fernando-llorente-mauricio-pochettino/">Tottenham were prepared to rival Chelsea for the services of Fernando Llorente</a>. To put it mildly, that’s a very strange rumour.</p>
<p>On the one hand, Llorente is a proven goal scorer that played really well in spurts for Swansea last season. He has his limitations, but he’d certainly be a significant upgrade over the aforementioned Vincent Janssen.</p>
<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Tottenham Hotspur</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/10/bayern-munich-reach-agreement-harry-kane/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Bayern Munich reach agreement for Harry Kane</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/03/18/antonio-conte-scorched-earth-tottenham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Antonio Conte goes scorched earth on Tottenham</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/07/07/clement-lenglet-set-join-tottenham-loan/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Clement Lenglet set to join Tottenham on loan</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/06/30/tottenham-set-sign-richarlison/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Tottenham set to sign Brazilian Richarlison</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2022/05/25/tottenham-hotspur-outlast-arsenal-ucl/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Tottenham Hotspur hold off Arsenal for Champions League spot</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>At an absolute minimum, his ability to to dominate opponents in the air could be a huge boon to Pochettino’s attack. Remember, Spurs aren’t looking for a starting striker. Harry Kane has that role nailed down. The club only need a viable option to cover Kane from the bench. They could do a lot worse than Llorente in that role.</p>
<p>Conversely, paying £15 million for a slow centre forward on the wrong side of 30-years-old would be a very bizarre move for Levy to make. It goes against everything he deems important in a transfer. The chances of making a profit on him would be almost zero.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I believe the answer to this question is no. My rationale is that Llorente doesn’t seem like a good fit for Pochettino. He’s so painfully slow that he’d be incapable of participating in a high pressing system. That should be enough to steer him to Stamford Bridge.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Will Spurs add more youth? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_431165" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-431165" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F02%2F642877140-fulham-v-tottenham-hotspur-the-emirates-fa-cup-fifth-round-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham battles with Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage on February 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>3. Will Spurs add more youth?</h3>
<p>Tottenham clearly prioritize adding young talent in the transfer market. Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez are already in the fold, but it’s very possible that Spurs could look to add even more young talent on Deadline Day.</p>
<p>The best case scenario for the club would be to add Ryan Sessegnon. The Fulham starlet is a strong bet to become an absolute star. He isn’t prepared to knock Danny Rose or Ben Davies out of the lineup, but he could easily become a world-class star in years to come. Unfortunately, it seems very likely that Fulham will hang on to him for at least another season.</p>
<p>There’s also the possible signing of Jadon Sancho to consider. The English starlet has gone completely AWOL from Manchester City and is desperate to find a senior squad where he can contribute. He could do that for Spurs, but don’t look for Pep Guardiola and company to do their Premier League rivals any favours.</p>
<p>I still wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Levy spend a few million pounds on a diamond in the rough. The club may add a player who everyone (even Danny Rose) has to google, but it might be someone who can develop into a star for the future.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Is Ross Barkley coming to Tottenham? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440998" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-440998" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F08%2F666482332-everton-v-leicester-city-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Ross Barkley of Everton reacts after Leicester’s second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>2. Is Ross Barkley coming to Tottenham?</h3>
<p>No player has been linked more with a summer move to Spurs than Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. He only has one year left on his deal with the Toffees and seemed destined to move away from Goodison Park for most of the summer.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_440995" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/Playingfor90/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>Unfortunately for Barkley and his would-be suitors, a serious injury has thrown his move into serious doubt. It’s possible that he won’t be in a position to contribute to any club until 2018. At the very least, his injury has made establishing a value for his services very challenging.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/BWVOM5xIyvc?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Spurs aren’t the only club sniffing around either. Chelsea, in particular, are interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge to help grow their homegrown core. Unfortunately for the Blues, Barkley seems much more keen on working for Pochettino as opposed to Antonio Conte.</p>
<p>This one might be the most difficult question to answer. If he were healthy, I think he’d already be a member of Pochettino’s squad. That isn’t the case though, his lack of fitness presents Spurs with a massive problem.</p>
<p>In the end, I think Barkley will be staying at Everton unless Ronald Koeman drastically drops his price. The Toffees won’t get anything over £25 million for his services. I don’t think Tottenham will pay that much. As such, Barkley will likely leave Everton for free next summer. Spurs could still be his next club, but don’t expect the move to happen today.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Is Serge Aurier really done? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440881" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-440881" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F08%2F624614136-france-v-ivory-coast-international-friendly.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Serge Aurier" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LENS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 15: Serge Aurier of The Ivory Coast stands for the national anthem prior to the International Friendly match between France and Ivory Coast held at Stade Felix Bollaert Deleis on November 15, 2016 in Lens, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>1. Is Serge Aurier really done?</h3>
<p>Tottenham’s right back position has been the club’s busiest spot of the summer. From the moment that rumours of Kyle Walker’s move to Manchester City surfaced, the club became obsessed with adding a replacement.</p>
<p>Ironically, it appears that it will have taken Levy up until Deadline Day to finally secure a reasonable replacement. That player, of course, is the controversial fullback Serge Aurier.</p>
<p>On the field, it’s very possible he is an upgrade over Walker. He has similar pace to the English international but has displayed superior skill and decision-making in the final third. Unfortunately, his decision-making off the pitch has been a complete joke.</p>
<p>I think it’s pretty obvious that Pochettino is going to get the chance to save Aurier’s career and help him grow up off the pitch. Too many sources have claimed that the signing is “<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/30/serge-aurier-home-office-clearance-tottenham">imminent.” Tottenham helped him obtain his work visa and seem destined to formally announce him today.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/31/tottenham-deadline-day-5-biggest-questions-answers-spurs/"https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/30/tottenham-cant-afford-sell-either-spurs-biggest-transfer-flops/">