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Tottenham round-up: Spurs lead chase for Everton’s Ross Barkley; players praise team resilience
As speculation over Mauricio Pochettino’s summer transfer plans gathers pace, the latest reports emerging from White Hart Lane will be of great interest to the club’s followers, as the North Londoners have reportedly become front-runners in the race to acquire the signature of Everton play-maker, Ross Barkley.
Much like Kane for Spurs, England youngster Barkley has shown an upturn in form in 2017 and has been a pivotal part of Everton’s return to form under Ronald Koeman. However, the Toffees academy graduate is thought to be pondering his future on Merseyside, and Pochettino’s Spurs are known to be keen admirers of the versatile midfielder.
The hints that previous doubts over Barkley’s consistency and decision-making seem to have subsided after the youngster has made strides under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park this season. Mauricio Pochettino is now thought to be keen on pursuing a deal for the Liverpudlian, with the aim of trying him out in midfield alongside their own rising star, Dele Alli.
Reports from the earmark Tottenham’s local rivals Arsenal as being amongst the potential suitors keen on tying-up a teal for the midfielder, with a potential clear-out on the way as doubts grow over the future of manager Arsene Wenger. The report from the Daily Mail, however, puts Tottenham as front-runners to secure Barkley’s signature.
Swapping Merseyside for North London may be the preferable move for the player himself, with the Mail also claiming Barkley’s ambition is to taste Champions League football and win silverware, something that Mauricio Pochettino’s developing project at Spurs may well offer.
A vital factor in securing the Everton star’s signature may well be where the respectable suitors finish this season, and Tottenham remain on course for a top-four finish, sitting second in the Premier League, with an FA Cup semi-final to come against Chelsea as Pochettino’s men look to secure the club’s first piece of silverware in nine years.
A setback to their hopes has been the injury blow to Harry Kane, but Spurs’ resolve has been unwavering after they ground out a 2-1 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane on Sunday, minus their talisman.
Goals from Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli put Spurs firmly in the driving seat before half-time, before Mauricio Pochettino’s side took their foot off the gas in the second-half, with James Ward-Prowse’s consolation strike leaving the hosts hanging on somewhat as the match wore on.
The ability to hold on and grind out results has been shown on more than one occasion by Spurs in recent weeks, with the 3-2 victory over Everton coming in similar circumstances, and Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen has paid tribute to the side’s resilience.
“Southampton are a good team so we had to keep hold of the three points and that’s what we did at the end,” Janssen told Tottenham’s .
“Mentality is very important and we are a very strong team mentally – you can see that.”
Netherlands international Janssen will be looking to use Kane’s spell on the sidelines to prove that he is able to fill in as Tottenham’s lone centre-forward. The Dutchman found himself featuring as an 86th-minute substitute on this occasion, though, with Son Heung-Min preferred in the centre-forward role with Christian Eriksen supporting him in attacking midfield. The tactical decision paid off for Pochettino, as Eriksen got onto the score-sheet and his side clung onto the points, and goalscorer on the day Eriksen is another who is convinced that the North Londoners have now developed their ability to see games out.
Again addressing the club’s , the Dane said: “In the second half it was a different game. We showed we’ve matured from last season where we only conceded one goal, not two when we’re 2-0 up”.
Tottenham will now enjoy a respite of 13 days over the international break, but the club’s hierarchy will inevitably be sweating over the fitness of their international stars, hoping that no more ill-affordable injuries are sustained on World Cup qualifying duty. Their Premier League campaign will resume on 1 April with a visit to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, whom they defeated 2-1 at White Hart Lane back in December.
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