Ready for Battle?

It's almost that time again, ladies and gentlemen.

Levy Time.

After an action-packed summer of sport that delivered on entertainment's front - with football oh so nearly returning home - we return to our bread and butter. Our staple. Tottenham Hotspur's opening match, a trip north of the wall, is pending. Newcastle, with an almost full complement of players taking part in pre-season matches, will be a tricky test for what is almost certain to be an understrength Spurs side. The gaps in our squad, thanks to injuries and extended leave, are glaringly obvious - but will Levy put his money where his mouth is to help Pochettino?

I bloody well hope so.

That said, there is no reason to panic just yet. If the window were to close today, with no further outgoings, we would still challenge for the title. I have no doubt in my mind that our strongest XI can compete with the best of them. We played Madrid off the park, for God's sake. I would argue that we lack a couple of components to actually win something, though. It's all well and good competing - but I want success. Tangible success. And when you are competing on multiple fronts, that only comes with strength in depth.

'Where's my money, Daniel?'

I would like to think I understand perfectly why we have yet to make a move this summer. We are perhaps impeded by the financial restraints building a new stadium has placed upon us. That isn't to say we do not have money to spend, but, as is typical with Tottenham, there will be a 'one in, one out' policy in place. We must sell before we can buy.

Toby Alderweireld, for all intents and purposes, is no longer a Spurs player. Unless the slick Belgian turns up in a Spurs promo video, a pen in one hand and Pochettino's embrace in the other, it's over for Toby. And, if I'm brutally honest, it will not be as devastating a loss as first feared.

Davinson Sanchez has what it takes to become of the best defenders in the world. Physically, he possesses every attribute in abundance, and for someone so young, he reads the danger of opposition attacks remarkably well. Just look at this tackle from Colombia's World Cup draw against Senegal. Fans have described him as a modern day Ledley King - if this is to be proven accurate, Toby will be no big loss in the long run.

That'll be the one out, in all likelihood. I would think Levy's stubbornness will eventually subside when United front the 50-60 million or so necessary for his services. Martial, as a straight swap, would be sublime business, but I fear Mourinho will hold the young winger prisoner, as his charisma-sapping management style continues to make waste a player's potential. The realist in me says we will lose Toby and gain nothing but cold, hard cash in return. That, and the familiarly bitter taste of strengthening a rival team.

Still, the money should, theoretically, be Pochettino's to reinvest. Combine Alderweireld's sale with the potential losses of Rose and Dembele, and we should have more than enough money to spend on our targets. And one player's name will just not disappear.

Leandro Dami- I mean, er, Wilfried Zaha.

Ironic, then, that we should turn to another wasted Man United prodigy, should we not be able to secure Martial. Zaha could go one of two ways. Either, the deal would turn out to be an obscene waste of money for a player who has never consistently hit the heights expected of him. Or, with a little bit of Pochettino's magic, he can become one of the most frightening wingers in the league. I would certainly be inclined to think that whatever the price, Zaha has the potential to improve our attack greatly.

Speculation that just will not die. [Source: Daily Express]

Outside of attacking options, a proper central midfielder would be a vital signing at this point. With growing concerns over the long term fitness of Winks and Wanyama, coupled with Dembele's age and recurring hip issues, a proper box-to-box midfielder with the fitness to come in and play a full season would be a terrific coup. While I am still hopeful of us eventually signing a deep-lying playmaker to replicate the success of Carrick or Modric, I understand Pochettino's system suits a more leggy approach than someone who will sit and spray passes. Tanguy Ndombele of Lyon has been mentioned amongst others, but I would love there to be truth in the rumours of Madrid's Mateo Kovacic joining. He certainly fits the mould of playmaker, and would help to pick up the ball from the defence and start attacks from his own half. I have even seen mentions of Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure mentioned - while not the most technical of operators, his presence and ability to cover the ground would make him an important player in the middle of the park. Unfortunately, since he has signed a new contract with Watford, he will not be moving any time soon. As it stands, it looks likely that young Luke Amos will be in contention to start against Newcastle - he has looked steady, calm in possession and adept at breaking up play, but it's still pre-season. Will he be a Ryan Mason-esque stop-gap until recruits arrive? Possibly, but let's hope the lad seizes his opportunity nonetheless.

Then there is, of course, the mystery of Harry Kane's understudy. Vincent Janssen's kofte-filled loan spell was not enough to win back Pochettino's love, and the Dutchman faces a swift exit after being left out of our pre-season tour altogether. Fernando Llorente, while experienced, is perhaps the slowest footballer to ever walk (operative term here) the Earth, and is totally unsuited to our style of play. He is functional and likable, but those attributes are not necessarily going to win you titles. I want a young Harry Kane to come off the bench and give us something to be excited about. Reo Griffiths was thought to be that youngster, but rumours of an unsettled attitude mean he is likely to find his footballing future elsewhere. A shame, by all accounts. Perhaps the signing of Martial or Zaha will cover in Kane's absence, similar to how Son fills in up front. Not the worst idea in the world. We can keep Llorente around for press interviews and kit reveals, the handsome bastard.

Remembering where the goal is.

Then, of course, there are the second-season lads. The ones who should be settled and raring to go after a proper pre-season with the team. I am referring mostly to Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura, our two signings from French billionaires PSG.

Aurier divides opinion greatly. Many fans detest his nonchalant attitude, tendency to make mistakes and seeming inability to throw a ball. But do you know who he reminds me most of? Danny Rose, when Pochettino first took over. All the physical attributes to succeed without a brain to engage. But Pochettino's clever coaching develops players. If he can turn Rose from one of the most error-prone full backs in the league to a two-time PFA team of the year left back, I wonder what he can do for Aurier. Watch this space.

Lucas Moura, on the other hand, is an absolute gem. Anyone who has followed our pre-season tour closely will know how big a season Lucas is going to have for Tottenham. Again, we must take this performances with a pinch of salt, but I have seen enough from Lucas throughout his career to know that he has all the talent in the world to succeed, he just needs a bit of coaching and a set-up to get the best out of him. Under Pochettino, there is no better place to succeed for young players. Lucas has plenty of time before he hits his prime, and an abundance of Champions League experience for PSG. In fact, he only left because he was replaced by the unequivocal best young player in the world in Kylian Mbappe. That's no disservice to Lucas's talents, he was just no longer a first-team player. I predict Lucas will have a season similar to Son's second year as a Spurs player. He might not be the first name on the team sheet, but he is going to be a damn good asset capable of winning games on his own. Mark my words, he is going to absolutely light up the new stadium.

For any Spurs fan growing up after the glory era of the sixties and early seventies, this is the best side to have ever donned the famous shirt. Pochettino is one of the best managers in the world, and if he isn't worthy of financial backing, no one is. I try not to come over all pessimistic, but if he isn't given ample funds to win us trophies, eventually, he will walk. And when he does, it is no great exaggeration to say I will cry. Jol leaving nearly moved me to tears, and he only had us fifth at best.

As usual, we are on the precipice of greatness, and require only slight tweaks to make it big. Whether Levy will deliver the funds and allow Pochettino to ready us for battle is another matter entirely.

We keep the faith though. Signings or no signings, we are Tottenham, and we are entering our new home for the first time next month.

Our new home. [Getty Images]

COME ON YOU SPURS.