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Euro wish list Part I

4 min read
by Bardi
We are nearly one week into what has already been a very interesting competition, but who has stood out so far? Which players look like they might add something to Spurs? Here are my (realistic) transfer targets for next season? Yes, no, maybe so?

It has taken a while to feel comfortable sitting down to write about Spurs. The emotions of last season, the highs the lows and the bitter bitter disappointment of falling apart with a matter of hours to go has taken its toll.

I was empty as that game ended, but slowly with the help of the Euros I’ve started to feel pride come back into my life. This of course has been helped by the excitement of a Champions League campaign on the horizon, but before we start to think of Turin, Munich or Barcelona in the winter, it’s clear that we need to upgrade a few areas and where better to look for inspiration than the Euros?

Here are a few of the players who’ve caught my eye so far:

Elseid Hysaj (22, right back, Napoli, Albania)

Pochettino’s style of play means the fullbacks cover a lot of distance and with two games a week on the horizon, they will need to be rotated. Kieran Tripper doesn’t offer the same dynamism and impetus as Kyle Walker, which limits our attacking ability, with better and more organised opposition on the cards, we need an upgrade.

Walker has already shown himself to be one of the best attacking fullbacks in the competition, followed closely by Albania’s wide man, Hysaj. The Napoli man was his country’s most dangerous player in their first game to Switzerland and caused France a lot of problems on Wednesday.

Hysaj, who grew up in Italy after his parents emigrated shortly after his birth, is currently excelling for Napoli in Serie A, but has been rumoured to be available for £15-20m and has caught the attention of a few Premier League clubs.

At 22 and full of energy and attacking intent he fits the Spurs profile and has European and now major tournament experience. He would be an excellent alternative to an ever improving Walker.

Arkadiusz Milik (22, forward, Ajax, Poland)

It’s no secret that Spurs need a striker. We cannot possibly expect Harry Kane to have another virtually injury free season, nor can we expect him to carry us through games again, we need an alternative, or a foil.

If 2008 was Tiki-Taka, 2012 the false 9, Euro 2016 has so far been the Two-Up-Top tournament. The teams playing with two strikers have generally had more success than those plying the solo tactic. Italy, England and Poland have had success with two stickers, one dropping deeper, the other pushing forward, whilst Spain, Germany and Belgium have struggled with one up top.

It may be against Pochettino’s ethos, but the possibility of playing two strikers should not be brushed aside, especially when we play at home against teams who set up camp in their 18 yard box.

Milik has shown a willingness to work off a main number 9 and has been more effective than Robert Lewandowski so far this tournament. The Ajax man can play slightly deeper, wide or through the middle, attributes which mirror those of Kane. The two could form a deadly partnership, or be used in rotation/together when necessary.

The Polish forward, despite playing for a much weaker Ajax side than in previous years, has outscored some of their most famous exports in recent years, and may at 22 be eyeing the next step up in his career.

Spurs suit the Polish striker and I have a feeling he could suit us very nicely.

Antonio Candreva (29, midfield, Lazio, Italy)

As the emotions of a long hard season came spewing out in stamps, eye gouging and reckless slide tackles at Stamford Bridge, it became clear that a player or two with some experience and years behind them is probably needed.

One player who shone in his opening game and fits that bill is Candreva. The Italian has a great tactical understanding of he game, technical ability and composure, as seen in his Panenka vs Croatia in qualifying.

He is comfortable with both  feet, either flank or through the middle. He has shown, especially against Belgium in Italy’s opening game that he has the stamina and discipline to work against much “superior” opposition was a major thorn in their side, forcing Jan Vertonghen to spend most his game running backwards not forwards.

His price, age and interest from Chelsea may deter Spurs, but he has undoubted quality and as seen last year for Lazio, a goal scoring touch. Candreva has all the attributes to work in a high press, or high possession team.

Honourable mentions?

The tournament is only a week old and there is plenty more football to come but I am looking forward to seeing more from Bartosz Kapustka, Victor Lindelöf (apart from today), Ádám Nagy and Viktor Kovalenko.

If you are interested in predictions on how the euro’s may pan out then taking a look at this euro score predictor might be useful. Overall there is lots of varibles in the tournament to look forward to and we are all excited to see what happens.

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