Pochettino: Expect Tottenham Hotspur signings

Transfer signings are coming! That’s the word from Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, who once again said in the clearest possible terms to the press that Spurs will not let its team ride in the summer transfer window.

In comments to the media, Pochettino said that he fully expects Spurs to make signings before the window slams shut at the end of the month, and that those players must be able to push for starting positions with Tottenham’s established stars like Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, and Dele Alli.

“We need players who can challenge our starting XI, players who believe in themselves and think ‘OK, I can challenge Dele Alli, I can challenge Harry Kane.

"Harry Kane knows very well from when he was behind [Roberto] Soldado and [Emmanuel] Adebayor what happens when you're not focused for a moment, if another player is behind you pushing for a chance if you don't give your best.

“We need to bring new energy and strengthen our squad, everyone knows that. If you look at the history of Tottenham in the last few years, we always spend at the end of the window.

“Chairman Daniel Levy is working hard with the chief scout [Steve Hitchen], we are working hard to deliver and try to add the strength we need to fight in four competitions next season.

"The market is a little bit crazy but you cannot stop the evolution of football. It is not easy to improve, but we will find the right players to challenge.”

The proof is in the pudding, of course, and it’s not the first time that Pochettino has said this. Spurs fans won’t be happy until they see someone of quality who isn’t a third goalkeeper holding up a Tottenham shirt. However, I think Pochettino is right here, at least in theory. Tottenham’s starting XI (when all healthy) is still one of the best in the Premier League, but players can start to plateau if they know there’s no one behind them that pushes them to keep their place.

Moreover, by not being sucked in too deep into the weeds by the incredible increase in transfer fees this summer, Pochettino and Levy appear to be positioning themselves financially to be in a good standing if the transfer fee bubble bursts in the near to medium future. It’s a gamble, of course, but one that could pay off for Spurs in the long run, even if it causes a great deal of angst amongst supporters in the immediate term.

We still don’t really know who the players are that Pochettino is targeting, aside from Ross Barkley, but nobody should be surprised if Spurs are extremely active even on the last days and hours of the window. I think it’s safe to assume that we should buckle up and prepare for what could be a very exciting transfer deadline day.