Tottenham Hotspur: Is This How Mauricio Pochettino's Team Will Line Up Next Season?

Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino at KC Stadium, Hull, England, May 21. Nigel Roddis/Getty

Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur has been the most consistent team in the Premier League over the past two seasons, but that run is under threat.

Tottenham was runner-up in the table last season, the only team to challenge Antonio Conte's impressive champion Chelsea. The campaign before that, Pochettino's team chased Leicester City down for the majority of the season before imploding in the final weeks.

Spurs has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, but seem to have stalled a little this summer while its rivals have improved. Manchester United and Manchester City have spent more than £100 million (about $130 million) each, with Jose Mourinho's team buying Romelu Lukaku from Everton while Pep Guardiola's bought Bernardo Silva from Monaco and Ederson from Benfica. Chelsea has added Antonio Rudiger with Tiemoue Bakayoko on the way, and across north London, Arsenal has signed prolific French striker Alexandre Lacazette.

But at White Hart Lane, the only business so far has been in the form of departures, and possible big-name exits. Kyle Walker looks set for Manchester City to become the world's most expensive defender, while reports suggest Eric Dier could be on his way to Old Trafford.

So, how will Pochettino's team line-up next season? Newsweek takes a look:

Goalkeeper

News from Madrid on Friday will have been concerning for White Hart Lane as well. Reports suggested Real Madrid is looking to make another attempt to sign David de Gea from Manchester United, with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris a potential target for Jose Mourinho should he lose the Spaniard. But for an unexpected major move, Lloris will remain between the posts for Spurs next season.

Related: Five Games That Cost Tottenham Hotspur The Premier League Title

Defense

Little change is expected in the Spurs defense, having proved to be the strongest back line in the Premier League last season. Pochettino moved Walker out of his first team at the end of last year, with Kieran Trippier preferred at right-back. Alongside him, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will remain at the heart of Spurs defense, with Danny Rose on the left side. The team also has been linked with signing Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson and Swansea's Alfie Mawson, but both would struggle to break into the first team.

Midfield

With Dier looking likely to head out of White Hart Lane, and heading to Manchester United, Pochettino will look to strengthen his midfield. Alongside the industrious and powerful Victor Wanyama, Spurs may look to bring in Ross Barkley from Everton. The English midfielder, who is full of potential, doesn't look set to sign a contract extension at Goodison Park, and has caught the interest of Tottenham. In front of those two, Pochettino will look to rely once again on the creativity and vision of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Attack

Last season's PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli will look to continue the impressive form he showed in the Premier League last season. But he could be joined in the attack by Portuguese winger Ricardo Pereira, who is being linked with a £22 million move to Tottenham. The 23-year-old, currently playing for FC Porto, is capable of playing at full-back as well. He would be looking to assist last season's top scorer in the Premier League Harry Kane.

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