Building Rome in a Summer

After spending a season flirting with relegation, Tottenham has pulled off a summer window that continues to shock. Stealing players from other clubs that will actually compete in Europe next season, Spurs clearly want to usher in a new era.

With an unforeseen amount of spending, the club seems ready to put these battles in the past.

Since Postecoglou’s final season, the Spurs have spent time stumbling in the dark. Looking for that next generation of players to return the club to greatness, without any success.

Bringing in the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali positions Spurs well going into next season. Not only did they secure the services of these players, but they stole them from rivals. The club seems to be betting that its schedule free of European competition will allow it to contend.

While these signings continue to impress the footballing world, questions still remain. Until they bring in a true striker, it feels that their offense will continue to be neutered. Roberto De Zerbi guided the club to safety last season, but does he really have what it takes to take the club to the next level?

With more time to pull off even more impressive moves, Tottenham wants to make sure that these relegation battles are over.

Given how much they improved with just a few moves, a title challenge in the Prem is in the cards for next season.

At one point, United appeared to be the favorites to secure Fernandes while Juve sat in the driver’s seat for Tonali. Rather than two clubs with European competition getting their player, Tottenham snuck in. 

Not only did Spurs get those players, but they also acquired Andy Robertson on a free transfer and Dutch breakout star Jan Paul van Hecke for a reasonable price. One expects this spending from the likes of a City or Chelsea, but certain factors seem to be influencing this binge.

Despite winning the Europa League two years ago, the club’s two relegation battle-laden seasons clearly broke something. Not only did this seemingly impact management, but seeing their London rivals, Arsenal, become one of the best clubs in Europe again stung. With Chelsea aiming to return to the mountain top and Palace becoming European competitors, Tottenham needed something.

Splashing the cash now means that the club expects a return on investment sometime soon. That may come via the lack of any European competition for Spurs. With the ability to focus solely on the Prem and the various English cup competitions, a squad of this quality can potentially contend for, or at the very least return to, Europe.

Spurs reinforced their midfield, which was already their strength last season, making it one of the most complete in the league. With a midfield of this caliber, betting on them to control games feels pretty safe. One imagines that the players that De Zerbi will use in the middle are the types that can decide a race for Europe.

To bring players who had European giants calling for them, the Spurs clearly overpaid, even if these players are worth it. This risk comes with the need to reach a new level. One that matches Potch’s teams rather than the mess of the past few seasons.

Spurs’ splash reinforces the Prem’s dominion over the rest of Europe.

While they may not field the best teams, no one touches their financial prowess.

As promising as this transfer window bodes for Tottenham, legitimate questions do exist. From the inconsistent options in attack to the manager, a few threads remain that may unravel this new tapestry.

Unless they pull off another surprise in the attack, the Spurs will rely on a bevy of talented but inconsistent options. Mathys Tel has yet to truly find consistency at the professional level, while Richarlison may already be in his prime. Dominic Solanke regressing to his pre-Bournemouth days spells more issues for the striker position, with no real answers. 

A similar issue exists on the wings, but it’s more injuries holding back the potential there. Dejan Kulusevski’s career-altering injury and Mohammed Kudus’ problems took away a talented duo. A good spell of health for both players could negate concerns, but that’s a lot to bet on a shaky thing.

De Zerbi deserves credit for guiding Spurs out of the relegation zone, even if it wasn’t solely due to his solutions. For all the improvements he brings to a club, it’s impossible to ignore his faults.

At his last two stops, the Italian revived the respective clubs with a fun attack that pushed them up the table. His personality meshes well with his style, promising fans that a new savior is here. Right on schedule, as soon as a rough spell appears, De Zerbi crashes out and blames everyone but himself.

Not only does this personality issue exist, but he has yet to fully push a club to contention. With Marseille, in a relatively open Ligue 1, the club never found a way to actually challenge PSG. Clubs with fewer resources found chances to actually push the Parisians, but not De Zerbi.

Issues with the offense and a manager who is yet to fully prove himself at the highest level promise to hold back the Spurs. Given the amount of money the club has spent, falling short of anything other than a battle for Europe and/or the title would be a total failure.

Out of nowhere, Tottenham became Europe’s big spenders by bringing in some of the continent’s most sought-after talents. Expectations shifted almost overnight, even as concerns remain over the club’s full potential.

The investments made now necessitate a reaction as the new season looms.