Adrian Clarke looks at what Tottenham Hotspur need to do in the summer transfer window to improve their squad.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou’s distinctive tactical approach relies heavily on pace, aggression and athleticism, so the Australian will enter the market this summer looking for players all over the pitch who naturally suit his high-octane style of play.
Finding better-suited back-ups beyond his starting XI will be his focus.
Towards the end of 2023/24, Postecoglou became increasingly unhappy with his central midfield unit, who lost some of the energy they had displayed earlier in the campaign.
So, there is now a sense that Spurs will look to recruit at least one top-class player in this position during the window.
That target will need to be industrious, but also someone who contributes more inside the final third than those in place already. Pape Sarr produced a respectable three goals and three assists, but Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp provided only one goal and one assist combined.
They all made less than one key pass per 90 minutes, so Postecoglou must find somebody a little more creative.
Spurs also need a centre-forward. They have so far resisted the temptation to sign a Harry Kane replacement, but with six Premier League teams outscoring them last season, this should now be addressed. Son Heung-min and Richarlison are both excellent, but Spurs miss the rounded goal threat that Kane provided.
I expect their primary target to be strong in the air. Kane scored 10 headed goals in 2022/23, but Spurs only netted a total of eight headers last season, and only three teams scored fewer goals this way.
With so much talent in the wide areas, and an excellent set-piece taker in James Maddison, they need to pose a greater aerial threat.
Top six's headed goals stats, 23/24
| Club | Share of goals from headers | Headed goals |
|---|---|---|
| Man City | 11.46% | 11 |
| Arsenal | 18.86% | 17 |
| Liverpool | 15.12% | 13 |
| Aston Villa | 13.16% | 10 |
| Spurs | 10.81% | 8 |
| Chelsea | 16.88% | 13 |
Key positions to target: Defence, centre midfield, centre-forward
Ins and outs so far
| Player | Transfer Type | Club | Full Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timo Werner |  Loan In |
Leipzig | Details |
| Eric Dier |  Released |
- | Details |
| Ivan Perisic | Released |
- | Details |
| Ryan Sessegnon | Released |
- | Details |
| Japhet Tanganga | Released |
- | Details |
| Tanguy Ndombele | Released |
- | Details |
(Last updated: 12 June)
