2017-18 - Are you excited yet?

Spurs are leaving for their three match tour of North America this week, where they will play against PSG, Roma and Manchester City, each of whom are potential Champions League opponents in the forthcoming season. They follow this with a "home" (over-priced) friendly against Serie A Champions Juventus at our temporary Wembley venue on Saturday August 5th.

Spurs are travelling without Erik Lamela, who hasn't played since last October, and who will not be match-fit before late September. Danny Rose is another player not travelling, as he also has not fully recovered from his end of season knee surgery, and will also be a doubt for the start of the season. Son Heung-min is still recovering from his post-season injury sustained on International duty, and Moussa Sissoko is also described as unavailable with a virus.

Kyle Walker has been sold to a Premier League rival for a record fee that could amount to £50 million with "add-ons", and the only transfer business that has been concluded by Spurs so far (19th July) has been outgoing with confirmed departures for Clinton N'Jie and Federico Fazio, neither of whom featured for us last season anyway. Nabil Bentaleb's departure to Schalke was also confirmed before the end of last season .

So, the question is - with one of our best players (Walker) gone, and none of the transfer income spent yet, are you excited about the new season yet? I have to say that with the opening game at Newcastle still a full 3 1/2 weeks away, no thrilling sense of anticipation has reached me at this time.

Regarding Kyle Walker's departure the tale has been well told of Kyle's desire to live closer to his Sheffield family home, and he clearly feels he has more chance of winning a trophy with one of the "moneybags" clubs. Both Manchester sides, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea - even Everton - have been splashing the cash. Of course, Walker has also been enticed by the extra money and the "made for life" security that offers he and his family, but we also have to trust Mauricio Pochettino's judgement and the policy that Spurs will only sell players they are willing to see depart. Kieran Trippier has a new contract and plenty to look forward to in the coming season.

For the record, I was a great fan of Kyle Walker, who has fantastic pace and plenty of skill both at the back and in attack that certainly justifies a big fee, although £50 million seems unreal. Incidentally, Walker finished sixth best of our players over the course of the season according to Spurs Odyssey voters. However, we are in a market where Stoke's Arnautovic has gone to West Ham for £24 million and even Championship Middlesbrough have paid £15 million for Nottingham Forest's Britt Assombalonga.

We have to trust the club to spend the incoming transfer funds fully on strengthening the squad. Ross Barkley is not on Everton's pre-season tour and it would seem the two clubs are fighting it out for a final settlement. Barkley's name is the firmest of those being linked with Spurs at this time.

I'll write more about our prospects when the new season is closer. In the meantime here is a piece I have submitted to World Soccer for their 2017-18 season preview which will be published soon:-

1. In a sentence or two, how would you describe last season for your club?

Spurs had an astounding season, finishing runners-up in the top flight for the first time since 1962-63, securing our highest ever Premier League points total and placing. We scored more goals, conceded less and finished with a better goal difference than any other team. We finished a home league season unbeaten for the first time since 1964-65, winning 14 consecutive home games for the first time since 1987

The records kept tumbling, as we firstly equalled our best ever away win with a 6-1 at Leicester in our penultimate match, then capped that with a 7-1 at Hull! Spurs scored 4 or more goals in 13 games in all competitions, 10 of which were in the Premier League.

Despite all the achievements, there is more than a tinge of disappointment because we did not win a trophy, and ultimately lost in disappointing fashion in the domestic cups, and in European competition.

2. What are your hopes and fears for the 2017-18 season?

Spurs exceeded my expectations last season in the face of strong opposition, each with more spending power, so why shouldn’t they do that again? My biggest hope is for some silverware. My fear is we may not make our temporary home next season (Wembley) the fortress we enjoyed at White Hart Lane.

3. Who was your biggest hero last season?

My personal hero was Victor Wanyama, surely the signing of the season by any club in 2017-18. Wanyama was a rock in front of the Spurs back four (or three), adding plenty of skill to his play and 5 goals in his first season with Spurs.

However, there were many heroes, including Spurs supporters’ club player of the season (play-maker extraordinaire) Christian Eriksen; two-time PFA Young player of the year Dele Alli, and last but not least Golden Boot winner Harry Kane. Kane scored 8 goals in his last three games to win The Golden Boot for a second successive year, scoring 29 Premier League goals; over 20 for the third successive season, and including his England goals 28 goals in 2017 so far!

4. Who was your biggest villain?

Most Spurs fans regard the signing of Moussa Sissoko (for a club record-equalling £30 million) as a poor acquisition, but I personally think there is a skilled footballer in there, who hasn’t yet been given many minutes in his new club colours.

5. What was your team’s best song/chant last season?

“He’s magic you know! Mauricio Pochettino!”

6. Is there a youngster to watch out for?

Harry Winks broke through and impressed last season. The Spurs development squad includes plenty of potential stars, including 18 year old winger Marcus Edwards. It is difficult to pinpoint one name from so many.

7. What game are you most looking forward to in 2017-18?

The first game at Newcastle, where we need to extract firm revenge for the pasting we took from the relegated club on the last day of the 2015-16 season

8. And the game you’re dreading?

Spurs fear nobody, and that goes for me too. However, I do dread the last game of the season, because I have always hated the close season. Bring on the games!

World Soccer recently published a Complete History of Brazil - the team that invented "The Beautiful Game". Those who live in Brazil, or perhaps Portugal where Spurs are linked with another player - Benfica's 19 year old defender Pereira - might be interested in maquina caça niquel. There are lots of other features to be found at World Soccer!

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