A LOT WAS MADE of the fact that there were no new arrivals at Tottenham when the Premier League’s transfer window closed earlier this month.
When the £25 million bid for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish didn’t materialise, they became the first club since the window was introduced in 2003 to fail to make one single signing.
Some Spurs fans labelled their lack of activity “a shambles” and criticised chairman Daniel Levy, a notoriously tough negotiator, for not strengthening the squad after finishing third behind Manchester’s big two last season.
What made matters worse was that fourth-placed Liverpool had spent big on Brazilian number one Alisson (£67m), compatriot Fabinho (£44m) and all-action midfielder Naby Keita (£59m) as they looked to build on their Champions League final appearance.
However, with the first fixtures of September to be played this weekend, the North Londoners sit on maximum points alongside the Reds, Chelsea and Watford.
Granted, just three league matches have been played, but the signs are there that Mauricio Pochettino’s side can again mount a title challenge — having come closest when they claimed runners-up spot behind Chelsea in 2017.
Crucially, they have held onto their Argentine manager, their main striker Harry Kane (top goalscorer at this summer’s World Cup) and their best defender Toby Alderweireld, as well as other talents such as Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier.
Belgian defender Alderweireld is the most surprising of all, as he appeared certain to depart with Jose Mourinho making him a top target only for the Man United board to refuse to pay the reported £75m asking price for a 29-year-old.
He has now been integrated back into the Tottenham team and even starred as they kept a clean sheet in their 3-0 win over his suitors at Old Trafford on Monday night.
But the star of the show against United was undoubtedly Lucas Moura. Deemed surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-Germain last season due to the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the Brazilian winger was signed by Spurs for £25m back in January.
After showing glimpses of the talent that has earned him 36 caps for his country, the 26-year-old has really hit the ground running after getting a pre-season under his belt.
If he can replicate that form on a regular basis, they will have a real livewire on their hands.
Pochettino still has Heung-min Son to come back from the Asian Games too. The attacker is aiming to win gold for his native South Korea as well as exemption from military service by beating Japan in Saturday’s final.
So, while it is admittedly early days, Tottenham look a united unit and in good shape to compete with the top four once again.
Sunday sees them travel to Vicarage Road to face the early surprise packages. Given Watford’s tendency to regularly change their manager, many expected Spaniard Javier Gracia to exit in the summer after finishing 14th in the table.
Not only has he kept his job, but Gracia has also been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month after wins over Brighton, Burnley and Crystal Palace (as well as the EFL Cup victory against Reading), which leave them with a 100% record.
It’s unlikely that the Hornets will be able to keep up that sort of form for much longer, and Spurs offer their biggest test so far.
Premier League fixtures (all games kick off at 3pm unless stated otherwise)
Saturday
Leicester City v Liverpool (12.30)
Brighton v Fulham
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Everton v Huddersfield
West Ham v Wolves
Man City v Newcastle (17.30)
Sunday
Cardiff v Arsenal (13.30)
Burnley v Man United (16.00)
Watford v Tottenham (16.00)
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