Tottenham’s stance was commendable, but they may now have shot themselves in the foot

With Premier League spending reaching offensive highs this summer, the top six are widening the gap between the haves and have nots like never before.

With Manchester City forking out more than £200m effectively on their full-backs and a goalkeeper, while their rivals United have forked out nearly £150m already and are still being linked with Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Bucking the trend in that top bracket, though, are last season’s runners-up Tottenham. Having sold Kyle Walker to Pep Guardiola for an almost offensive £50m, Mauricio Pochettino is yet to add to his squad, with less than a week to go before their season opener against newly promoted Newcastle.

Having been relaxed surrounding the situation earlier in the summer, the former Southampton manager is now telling the press that he is chasing new signings before the end of the window, and with those around them adding further each week it’s clear they need additions.

With both Guardiola and Jose Mourinho missing out on the Premier League title last season, their first in their respective jobs, the pressure is on the two rivals to deliver this time around, meaning the job, and the market surrounding preparations for the season, only becomes tougher for Pochettino.

Having come close in the past two seasons, the title will be the aim for the north Londoners this term, however, considering their form on the continent in recent years, progression in the Champions League will also be high on Pochettino’s list.

Earlier in the summer, all of the above may have seemed realistic ambitions, however, with the departure of Walker and no subsequent arrivals are starting to chip away at that.

Furthermore, with now first choice right-back Kieran Trippier a doubt for the start of the season according to Physioroom, Spurs seem to have shot themselves in the foot.

While they still may be able to bring players in before the close of the window, a fast start to the season looks unlikely. Given their obvious need for investment before the end of the month, coupled with the money now in the Premier League, clubs will be ramping up the prices of any potential targets by the day.

Chairman Daniel Levy, although a master when it comes to getting the highest fees for his players upon selling them, he is not accustom to forking out big money to bring players to the club, something that he’ll have to do if they are to continue to progress under the Argentine.

Spurs do, of course, have a fantastic squad available to them already and will be up there at all times throughout the season. However, with just a few weeks to go, they are in serious danger of hampering their rise to the top having left everything so late.