Group Stage Fan Preview: Tottenham

“Sometimes you need to be brave and take risks. I think the club is in a moment where they need to take risks.”

The dust settled on the 2017/2018 Premier League season after a performance against Leicester that was a real throwback to the Tottenham Hotspur we had seen under the guidance of Martin Jol and Harry Redknapp. A vastly entertaining match with sprinklings of comedic defensive errors and enthralling attacking prowess as Spurs wrapped up the season with a 4-3 victory over Leicester.

Mauricio Pochettino cut an unidentifiable figure throughout the twilight of the season with rumours rife of vultures in the shape of Florentino Perez and Roman Abramovic circling above the Argentine’s head. There was a fatigued feeling around the club. Harry Kane had picked up an injury away to Bournemouth and struggled to look like a fraction of his prolific self. The manager and his camp saw a dramatic decline in their relationships with Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld. But the real sucker-punch came at the hands of Jose Mourinho and Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. Following a 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils, a feeling of stomach-turning disappointment settled upon the fans, players, and most noticeably the manager, as Spurs found themselves licking their wounds as they departed from Wembley in the FA Cup yet again. Had this bright, exciting, youthful team missed the boat to celebrate glory together for the last time before one or two departed for pastures new?

In his final press conference of the 2017/18 campaign, Pochettino, weary and frustrated, threw the ball into the court of Daniel Levy to set the tone for the upcoming season. There was talk of being brave, hopes that Tottenham’s transfer activity would be all tied-up before a ball was even kicked at the World Cup in Russia. Optimism was rife.