Now that Premier League transfer window is shut and clubs can’t sign new players until January, everybody compares the deals and counts the money spent and earned by the teams. However, there is one club that has had an extraordinary transfer window. Precisely, they did not sign one player in the entire summer. This club is Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have become the first club in Premier League history that failed to make a single signing during summer transfer window. Mauricio Pochettino might be saying that he is happy with his squad and he did not need any improvements as he has enough quality in every position. He is not that wrong as Tottenham were one of the most consistent teams last season, but it still feels like he is playing the double game. 

It seems like the true reason behind that transfer policy is the financial void left by construction of a new stadium. The cost of the new venue has already reached £1bn and the club will have to pay back loans to a number of banks in the next 5 years. With such expenses it is just natural that they can’t afford to make big signings these days. 

At the same time, the club that have a solid squad and have reached the 3rd place in the Premier League last season, would probably not benefit from minor signings. Instead, Spurs focused on keeping their star players in the club and did a great job in securing the services of Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld and Dele Alli for at least another season. Their fans could question the club’s ambition, though, wondering if Spurs will be able to compete for any title, considering there is definitely some lack of depth in the roster. On the other hand, players don’t need to get used to each other and know the demands of their manager well. While their main rivals, including London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, will need to adapt to new tactics and formations, dictated by their new head coaches, Spurs will try to benefit from the club’s consistency and steady development.

But does it give them a chance to catch up with the league’s best? Manchester City were miles away last season and brought in another impressive attacking player in Riyad Mahrez. Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, in particular, are subject to tons of criticism these days but they also improved by signing Brazilian midfielder Fred and a promising full back Diogo Dalot. Liverpool have never been more threatening after the arrivals of Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. Maurizio Sarri will need some time to ingrain his style into the heads of Chelsea players but once it’s done, the team should be on par with the best in the League. North London rivals Arsenal are also a work in progress, but Emery has already addressed the team’s main problem – defensive performance, by signing Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. Outside of the elite, Everton have made a number of impressive signings and could push for one of the top 6 spots. So the main question to Mauricio Pochettino is whether the squad he has at his disposal will be good enough to defend their place in the Top 4 this season. Well, as I said, Tottenham are the first team in Premier League history to head into the new season without a single new signing, so we don’t know the answer just yet.