There are mere days, hours, to go before the 25th Premier League season gets underway and for supporters everywhere there is no finer time of the year. Right now our hopes are pristine and unsullied. Right now our teams are capable of just about anything including the incredible.
It would be entirely understandable however if Spurs fans are not really sharing the happy vibes at present. Their optimism has been greatly diminished before a ball has even been kicked in anger due to the club’s startling lack of transfer activity this summer. If that were not exasperating enough they now house a left-back in Danny Rose who has staged a very public mutiny. You can follow all the latest developments at SportNation.com.
While their rivals have splashed considerable cash this transfer window strengthening their rosters Spurs have stood stock still, a direct consequence of an exorbitantly expensive stadium build and self-imposed low wage ceiling. Yet even if it was unimaginable that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would sanction deals on a par with their peers the fact that they have presently bought precisely nobody genuinely astounds.
Spurs potentially had it all at their fingertips with history-making glory within reach: a young, vibrant squad of brilliant players battle-hardened after two consecutive runner-up spots. Now it feels ever more likely that a title chase may be beyond them and instead it’s Champions League qualification that will be their ultimate goal.
Which opens the door for their arch-rivals Arsenal to resume their traditional position as the top dogs of North London. The Gunners may not have been lavish this summer in their spending but in retaining Alexis Sanchez – as seems likely – and adding defensive steel through Sead Kolasinac and an abundance of attacking threat from Lacazette they have upgraded wisely. Already they have a Community Shield in the bag. Already they look a more promising bet for success in 2017/18 than their not-so-beloved neighbours.
Yet it gets even better for Gooners and indeed punters across the board. SportNation.bet are offering money back on Arsenal should Tottenham lose, a £100 per customer. Which really is just salt in the wounds for Spurs supporters, whose high optimism throughout July is now becoming a fading memory.
Will Spurs spend in the next three weeks? Realistically they’re going to have to.
