Tottenham Hotspur had an extremely successful Premier League season in 2015/16 when they finished in third place. Despite finishing below rivals Arsenal, it was their best finish since the start of the Premier League. And in 2017, their league finish eclipsed 2016 as Spurs finished the season in second place with 16 more points than the previous campaign.
This was all down to hard work by the manager and the whole team. Even though Harry Kane and Dele Alli received most of the plaudits for last season’s finish, Tottenham have numerous players who are crucial to their side.
Here we look at five players they must keep other than the English duo Kane and Alli:
#5 Danny Rose
Another English player who has been instrumental in Tottenham’s success is 26-year-old Danny Rose.
Rose had a magnificent season once again for Tottenham at left-back, but he did pick up an injury which kept him out from January until the end of the season. However, he was still named as left-back in the PFA Team of the Year, for the second season in succession, emphasising how strong his performances were leading up to his injury.
It is crucial Tottenham keep hold of their left-back, especially with rumours suggesting they’re losing English right-back Kyle Walker. This is because both full-backs have been so important to the team’s significant rise up the table, with them both playing the wing back role extremely well.
Rose is under contract until 2021, but it is still important that Daniel Levy ignores the temptation of accepting a big money offer for him if say Manchester City, who need a left-back, were to make a substantial offer.
#4 Mousa Dembele
Mousa Dembele is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and must be kept by Tottenham if they’re going to continue to get better and attempt to win a Premier League title.
The Belgian has performed admirably under Mauricio Pochettino as he has thrived at the heart of the Tottenham midfield. His strength, along with his dribbling, make him one of the best midfielders in the league and he is a key part of Tottenham starting their build up from the back. Alongside him, Wanyama acts as the destroyer, dispossessing other sides from deep. The combination of the duo’s talents make them the perfect partnership and last season demonstrated how well they complement each other.
While watching the Belgian play, it makes people realise how crucial he is to the Tottenham XI. Dembele’s statistics do not suggest he’s that important to Tottenham due to his lack of contribution in attacking areas, but for Spurs to progress, his presence is imperative.
#3 Hugo Lloris
Tottenham conceded just 26 goals last season, the least in the Premier League and Frenchman Hugo Lloris was a huge part of that.
The 30-year-old has now established himself as one of not only the Premier League’s best goalkeepers, but one of the world’s best. The custodian kept 15 clean sheets in 34 Premier League appearances in 2016/17 and without him, they may have never have finished in second, with the Frenchman keeping them in so many games.
Apart from being a very good shot stopper, he is also a pretty good sweeper keeper. Additionally, Lloris’ kicking and distribution cannot be scrutinised, as he is pretty trustworthy with the ball at his feet.
Having a great goalkeeper is important, and Lloris in goal helps the North Londoners earn crucial points when they are under pressure and are defending a narrow lead. Lloris does not look to be going anywhere, but he is still just 30 years old, which is quite young for a goalkeeper. It is crucial that Spurs keep the Frenchman as their number one.
#2 Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderwiereld, Tottenham’s Belgian centre-back, is arguably the best defender in the Premier League and has been for the past two seasons. A player who is the best in the league at what he does must be kept.
It is no surprise that since the Belgian arrived at Spurs, their defence has improved enormously. He has played excellently in both a three and a two, proving he is a versatile centre-back. Additionally, his passing skills are not to be underestimated, as he is a very accomplished player with the ball at his feet.
Alongside his Belgian teammate Jan Vertonghen, he has built a formidable partnership, making him one of Spurs’ prised possessions. Despite him being a defender, a position where players mainly receive criticism, he has been someone who has only received positive reviews since his arrival at England.
Keeping out goals is just as important as scoring them, which means Alderweireld is crucial to Tottenham’s title hopes.
#1 Son Heung-Min
Son Heung-Min is up there with both Kane and Alli as one of Tottenham’s most important players going forward.
The South Korean forward chipped in with 14 goals and six assists last season in the league which was an incredible contribution. His return was pivotal to them finishing as high as they did with a lot of his goals coming at important junctures in the season.
He averaged a rating of 7.14, according to Whoscored, in 34 Premier League appearances last season, perfectly illustrating how consistent the South Korean has been for Tottenham. To put that into perspective, Alli, who was being touted as the player of the year, had an average rating of 7.35, demonstrating how good a season Son had.
At just 24 years old, the forward is still very young, and if Tottenham are able to keep hold of him, he is likely to become a key figure in the Spurs starting 11.
