Forster
Perisic
Bissouma
Lenglet
Richarlison
Spence
Zaniolo
Udogie
How are we rating that kind of potential window our of 10 then if it happens? Looks pretty good to me.
A very solid 8/10 which might rise depending upon how Spence, Lenglet and Zaniolo perform.
Some of the players such as Persic and Bissouma some will say are 'first teamers' and the others not but in a season with the World Cup takes a full month out of the season (no reduction in games so game frequency is high - and international players may arrive back knackered) our ability to rotate the squad to rest them will be tested as in no other previous season.
To illustrate that point with a few of the players :
Forster - 2nd GK played half the PL games last season including MOTM v Woolwich causing them to drop points which is one reason we made CL and they did not. Last England call up earlier this year. Whilst we don't 'want' to play him but play Lloris all the time - if Llloris is not available, he'll be a much better reserve than Gollini or most of our no 2's for some years (maybe last good 2nd GK was Vorm ?). HG as well so takes up a vacant space and allows us to get an extra Overseas trained player in to enlarge squad.
Lenglet - One of the most unknowns, will he look like he was last season with Barcelona or the layer he was when he arrived, a potential world star. Nobody knows but Conte might turn his career around. Small snippets, but at least we now have cover for Ben Davies at LCB next season. He's on loan so if it doesn't work out we get another LCB next summer, if it does work out we have opportunity to buy from Barcelona. So a solid back up for Davies or someone better, so a solid signing even if uninspiring.
Richarlison - Brazil's starting centre forward (replacing Jesus). Excellent goal scoring cover for Son and Kane. We've wanted this for years. Great option to have.
Then there are the 'certain starters :
Persic - top player at Inter as they won Italian league, so say no more. Maybe useful as mentor to Sessegnon and Spence to show them how to be a world class wingback. Top signing.
Bissouma - Regarded by many as best CM outside top 3 teams last season. Top signing. Now gives us a great selection of CM's with any two from Bissouma, Bentancur, Skipp and Hojbjerg.
Then there's youngsters :
Spence - Over 100 Championship appearances (actually closer to 140 ?) plus played with Notts Forest in FA Cup run beating Leicester and Woolwich (scoring a goal), losing to Liverpool (no disgrace for Forest) but playing well in general against 3 PL teams in top half of table. IMO chances of him being a flop in PL next season are vanishingly small based upon experience to date. Just a question of whether he becomes a top player or mid -table player, which might take 2 seasons to answer. Despite TFC's world renowned scouting only PSG's Hakimi looked a class above Spence at RWB (but he's not for sale, even with a £80m type value) and others from weaker leagues weren't guaranteed to be better - so a calculated signing, and HG so not taking up a space.
Udogie - Seems to be rated as potentially world class by many. Versatile as can play LCB and LWB so might well help Spurs in a couple of positions, but likely from 23/4 onwards.
Transfer windows are about taking advantage of the available players - and it seems to me we've brought in a good selection of players both for next season and next few years. Have we missed out on some signings - possible but not many. And that's despite having the funds available to sign players early without a need to sell players first.
We will also have funds available for next summer to have another good window by looks of things which is excellent news. Will keep Conte interested too !
Still need to deal with Ndombele, Lo Celso, Rguilon and Winks future ....... and hopefully we will in remaining 3 weeks or so of window