Tottenham desperately need to sign a striker in January. A combined strikeforce of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane have found just 21 Premier League goals since last summer, including a solitary one this season, provided by the Togo international.

It’s shown in the Premier League table too – only six clubs have recorded less than the Lilywhites’ seven goals so far this term.

Resultantly, the White Hart Lane outfit have been linked to a plethora of frontmen in the tabloids ahead of the January window, but as per usual, the majority of targets mooted are incredibly unrealistic.

So being the lovely bunch we are at Football FanCast, here’s a list of FIVE forwards who would cure Mauricio Pochettino’s striking woes, that could conceivably be lured to north London when the transfer market reopens.

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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…

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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

In terms of strikers already linked with a January move to White Hart Lane, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar remains one of the stand-out names.

The Schalke assassin’s contribution to open play is infamously limited, as shown below:

And at 31 years of age, he’s no spring chicken. But the Netherlands international is absolutely lethal in front of goal; he’s bagged 35 in 65 for Oranje and 93 in 143 for the Miners – including this strike against Chelsea last week in the Champions League:

Here’s a look at Huntelaar’s top ten goals:

//www.youtube.com/embed/EBGEdveNuY4?rel=0

The 6 foot 2 striker’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and although Schalke have plans for a new deal, they want Huntelaar to take a wage cut.

That makes a January move increasingly likely and the German outfit will have to accept selling for a nominal fee. But the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star has also been linked to Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Galatasaray.

WILFRIED BONY

Mauricio Pochettino’s game-plan at Southampton depended on big-n-burley, old-fashioned centre-forwards, and he’s utilised that tactic at White Hart Lane too, favouring lanky front-man Emmanuel Adebayor over the less physical Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado.

In that regard, stocky 6 foot Swansea striker Wilfried Bony fits the bill perfectly.

Following his arrival in south Wales last summer, on the back of netting 37 times during his ultimate season at Vitesse Arnhem, the 25 year-old claimed 16 goals and four assists in his inaugural Premier League campaign. Here’s a look at some of Bony’s highlights from last term:

//www.youtube.com/embed/L_zt5akDKGs

And as viewable below, in terms of aerial dominance and hold-up play, the Ivory Coast international far exceeded Spurs’ strike-force last season:

The former Eredivisie star has struggled for form this season, with him yet to get on the score sheet. But much of that can be attributed to a rather turbulent summer, involving a World Cup and continuous links to the Premier League’s bigger sides, as Bony has recently revealed.

Tottenham were undoubtedly one of the interested parties and could revive their interest in January:

Garry Monk spent the summer denying his star striker was up for sale, but it’s known Bony comes with a £19million release clause, which is well within Spurs’ financial grasp.

PACO ALCACER

Valencia youngster Paco Alcacer is quickly emerging as one Europe’s most sought-after strikers, and has resultantly been linked to Arsenal and Chelsea to name a few:

But in my opinion, Tottenham have a decent chance of signing the 21 year-old too, not least because they can offer him Premier League football AND a greater role in the first team, compared to the Gunners and the Blues.

As viewable below, Alcacer has been nothing short of prolific over the last 18 months:

And after winning two European Championships with the U19s, Vincente del Bosque used the international break to hand the 5 foot 11 striker his competitive debut as a Spain senior. Alcacer repaid the faith, grabbing one goal and one assist against Macedonia.

The Roja starlet’s contract includes a £15million release clause, leading the Spanish press to label him ‘the bargain of Europe’.

But Valencia are aware of the growing interest in their latest prodigy, and are reportedly planning to bump up his buy-out fee to £40million before the January window:

Here’s a look at Alcacer in action:

//www.youtube.com/embed/RCKK3deKD2w?rel=0

SEYDOU DOUMBIA

Seydou Doumbia has been linked with a move to the Premier League for much of his career, but that could finally materialise in January with the striker’s CSKA Moscow contract entering its final months.

The 26 year-old is yet to be tested in a major European top flight but his returns in the Russian League and at former club Young Boys are nothing short of sensational, as viewable below:

Doumbia measures in at just 5 foot 10 but he’s powerful and sensationally quick, meeting the natural requisites of the Premier League. Here’s a look at him in action:

//www.youtube.com/embed/poul9EoEYiM?rel=0

Recent speculation surrounding the African front-man has been surprisingly limited. He was linked to Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea in April, but we haven’t heard too much since.

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Perhaps they’re all eying a deal this January – if Doumbia doesn’t agree new terms, he could be available for a pittance.

According to Russian publication Izvestia however, CSKA are about to offer him a €3million per-year contract.

Andre-Pierre Gignac

Andre-Pierre Gignac’s Ligue 1 career has been patchy to say the least, but at 28 years of age, the French striker finally appears to have found his consistency in front of goal.

Here’s a look at the Marseille star’s stats over the last seven seasons:

And that’s backed up by a sensational start to the current campaign, which has seen Gignac rise to the top of the French top flight’s scoring charts – even trumping Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

Admittedly, the 6 foot 1 striker remains a bit of a punt – he doesn’t offer much to open play and has spent his entire career in French football.

But his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal is looking increasingly unlikely. L’OM suffered horrendous form last season and many of their senior players, such as Andre Ayew, appear ready to jump ship.

Gignac rejected rumours that he’d be leaving the Ligue 1 outfit in the summer, but Marseille will be forced to sell in January if their star forward is still yet to agree new terms. That could see him arrive at White Hart Lane for a nominal fee.

Here’s a look at the France international’s top five goals:

//www.youtube.com/embed/Uj-12t4Rcgg?rel=0

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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge couldn’t help himself in further stirring the pot in the rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The Bayern CEO recently gave away details of Marco Reus’ contract, with the player’s release clause set to kick in next year, and then went on to hint that the Bavarians could be in the hunt for the Dortmund forward.

Having lost Robert Lewandowski, Mario Goetze and Shinji Kagawa and consecutive summers, it appears Dortmund will lose Reus as well in a year’s time, with the player thus far reluctant to increase his salary with the club and in turn remove the release clause, which stands somewhere between €25-35 million.

One team who will almost certainly miss out is Liverpool, who were linked with the German international earlier in the window. The club have denied the reports, but that didn’t stop the logs being added to the fire as the club pursue another forward addition this summer.

In further angering Borussia Dortmund, Bayern have made no secret of the admiration for Reus. There will of course be interest in the player, such is Bayern’s history of hoovering up the best talent in Germany. But the club’s public image – which has already taken a battering after the signings of Goetze and Lewandowski – may force a halt before anything formal takes place.

Instead, it’s been suggested that Reus will head to Manchester United next year, which would make sense due to the lack of quality in the wide positions at Old Trafford and the age of Robin van Persie. Beyond the Dutchman and Wayne Rooney, there is no clearly identifiable top talent for the forward position at the club.

It’s difficult to paint Liverpool’s missed chance at Reus as something which will come back to haunt them, because, as has been said by the club, there was never any interest to begin with.

Reus would naturally have been seen as the ideal replacement for Luis Suarez at Anfield, and one more than good enough to step into the void left by the Uruguayan. But it never made sense that Brendan Rodgers would be given a clear run at the German if he came on the market this year. There is far too much interest in the player from around Europe for it to be as straightforward as that.

Instead, Liverpool have focused their financial energy on strengthening the squad, rather than attempting to replace Suarez with a like-for-like. The business at Anfield this summer has been positive, and Rodgers has added a mixture of Premier League experience and high-ceiling youth. If the club can build on their excellent season last term, they’ll be equipped once again with the tools to recruit well next summer. Reus may be an exceptional, world-class talent, but there are plenty of other good players that will be available to Rodgers.

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Reus was never a goer for Liverpool, and it shouldn’t be totally discounted that he could even go on to extend his stay at Signal Iduna Park. Reus is a local who has a long-standing history with the club. But he knows his worth, he knows Dortmund will be desperate to hang on to him, and an agreement quietly away from the hysteria of the transfer window is possible.

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They say it’s often revealing moments, rather than form or development, that decides the fates of footballers at Europe’s top clubs. Perhaps an inappropriate comment at the Christmas party, perhaps some unwarranted backchat on the training pitch, perhaps a split-second of lapsed attitude that costs the club a vital three points, creating a portal into mentality and soul.

So one can only imagine what thoughts raced though Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs’ minds whilst they refused in tandem to throw even the slightest of glances at Chris Smalling’s way on Sunday afternoon, as he walked towards the Etihad’s tunnel, having seen red for two bookings after just 38 minutes against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Maybe they were wondering if Manchester United should’ve accepted Arsenal’s swap deal for Thomas Vermaelen in the summer. Maybe they were wondering how much those two foolish bookings – the first, the result of blocking a Joe Hart goal kick, the second, an unwarranted, hasty challenge on the edge of the penalty area – might affect the defender’s price-tag in January.

Maybe they were wondering when the real Chris Smalling, the one that had developed such an unquenchable appetite in Sir Alex Ferguson four years ago, would actually turn up at Old Trafford. Maybe they were wondering how long they could keep on waiting.

When Sir Alex Ferguson signed a 20 year-old Smalling in summer 2010 and a teenage Phil Jones twelve months later, the tacit implications of the former Manchester United manager’s recruitment strategy were obvious – a future centre-back pairing not only for the 13-time Premier League champions, but also the England national team.

Indeed, Ferguson saw so much potential in Smalling, despite only having made a handful of Premier League appearances for Fulham at the time, that he travelled all the way to London to instigate a dramatic intervention in Tottenham’s car park, after an FA Cup replay with the Cottagers, convincing the defender not to sign for Arsenal. Apparently, Ferguson refused to let Smalling leave until he’d agreed to join United.

Needless to say, Ferguson’s enthusiasm for the 24 year-old – or for that matter, the manner in which he’s been fast-tracked to the Premier League summit and the forefront of the England national team – is yet to be truly justified.

Yesterday’s act of world-class stupidity was only the tip of the ice-berg, further amplified by the fact it was amid probably the most important fixture in Manchester United’s season from the fans’ perspective.

A chaotic mind in a local derby – an emotional rush of blood to the head – can be excused, but Smalling’s performances have been open to scrutiny for some time. He’s often looked out of his depth in the Champions League particularly; a worrying sign at a club that’s been involved in almost every season of the tournament since it’s incarnation in 1992.

Not that the 24 year-old doesn’t possess appealing qualities. Measuring in at 6 foot 4, strong and quick, he’s an exceptional athlete, and at Fulham demonstrated his competency with the nuts and bolts of the defensive trade – tackles, headers, clearances, positioning. Simplistic but effective.

Likewise, overshadowed by Nemanja Vidic, Johnny Evans and Rio Ferdinand, he’s often had to settle for the right-back slot at Old Trafford. It’s not a position that plays to his natural strengths by any means and in fact exposes his many weaknesses, namely a lack of quality and composure on the ball compared to modern full-backs.

Yet, that is the crux of the complaint surrounding Smalling; he’s failed to develop the aesthetic, ball-playing side of his game, which is now a must for top European defenders, and neither Ferguson nor David Moyes  saw enough to warrant the 24 year-old overtaking United’s more experienced centre-half options permanently.

And, as we witnessed on Sunday afternoon, a lack of concentration and calmness in major fixtures is still letting the defender down. He continually panics when under pressure – the red card against City was just the latest, and arguably most extreme, instance.

With Evans injured and Ferdinand and Vidic moving on during the summer, this should be Smalling’s season. Although a horrifying injury and suspension list, in combination with United’s failure to recruit a much-needed world-class centre-back during the summer, hardly creates the most accommodating situation, this is undoubtedly the defender’s greatest chance yet to prove he can be an important player for the Old Trafford side.

This should be the season where we witness the real Chris Smalling – the one that made Sir Alex Ferguson drive all the way to London to have it out in the White Hart Lane car park four years ago.

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Barring an exceptional revival in form  however- so unprecedented performance levels far exceed anything we’ve witnessed from Smalling since 2010 – the England defender’s season looks set to be remembered by just one game; his 38 minutes of amateurish madness against Manchester City where he registered no tackles, no blocks, two fouls, two yellow cards and one red card.

Perhaps this is the real Chris Smalling – perhaps Ferguson was hoodwinked all along. Manchester United have already waited four years for their former manager’s faith in the defender to prove fruitful. It can’t be long now before their patience expires.

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How Arsenal entered the current season with one less defender than last year is quite frankly beyond me – but there’s no looking back now and at least Arsene Wenger is looking to rectify the situation, with news that he’ll be on the hunt for a new centre-half in January.

Of course, the winter window is never the ideal opportunity to buy so a star-studded addition of the Mats Hummels variety unfortunately seems unlikely.

There are some options out there however, so just in case the Gunners gaffer is short on ideas, here’s FIVE centre-backs the Premier League outfit could realistically sign in the New Year.

MATIJA NASTASIC

//www.youtube.com/embed/LxnfKoOWmWE

Age: 21

Height: 6 foot 2

Positions: Centre-back only

Teams: Partizan Belgrade, Fiorentina, Manchester City, Serbian national team

Honours: Premier League title 2013/14, League Cup 2013/14, Manchester City Young Player of the Year 2012/13

Linked clubs: Arsenal, AC Milan, Schalke

Likely transfer fee: £10million, according to The Express

What’s the dealio daddio?

A forgotten man at the Etihad, Matija Nastasic’s last competitive outing for Manchester City was in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the start of the season. A few days later, Manuel Pellegrini coughed up a whopping £32million for France centre-half Eliaquim Mangala.

Nastasic once forged an impressive centre-back partnership with Vincent Kompany however – his reading of the game and quality on the ball particularly standing out for a player so young.

Injuries have peppered the 16-cap Serbian’s City tenure somewhat and he’s rather slight for a Premier League centre-back. Clearly talented however with great pedigree, moving to a club that offers regular football will quickly kick-start Nastasic’s stuttering career.

Aymeric Laporte

//www.youtube.com/embed/vXqN7EieWVs

Age: 20

Height: 6 foot 2

Positions: Centre-Back and Left-Back

Teams: Basconia, Bilbao Athletic, Athletic Bilbao, France U21s

Honours: None

Linked clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United

Likely transfer fee: £32million release clause

What’s the low-down D’Lo Brown?

Having emerged as arguably La Liga’s most exciting centre-back prospect over the last few seasons, a plethora of Premier League clubs have been monitoring Aymeric Laporte’s progress for some time. This season, he’s averaged the fifth-most interceptions per match of any player in the Spanish top flight, as detailed below:

With 59 La Liga outings under his belt and having started all but one of Bilbao’s league fixtures this season, the French centre-half is already taking on huge responsibility for a player so young.

That, combined with his obvious talent and the limit of silverware with the Basque side, is the source of Premier League interest in Laporte; a quick, intelligent and versatile defender. He’ll cost big bucks but if develops as expected, also offers huge reward.

TYRONE MINGS

//www.youtube.com/embed/wvyRhxU0cxI

Age: 21

Height: 6 foot 3

Positions: Left Back and Centre-Back

Teams: Yate Town, Chippenham Town, Ipswich Town

Honours: Championship Player of the Month for September 2014

Linked clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham

Likely transfer fee: £8million, according to the Telegraph and just about everybody

What’s the word, bird?

Arsene Wenger has already admitted his interest in Ipswich prodigy Tyrone Mings so few would bet against Arsenal launching a bid for him in January.

Mick McCarthy once picked up the towering defender for just £20k, and he’s enjoyed a huge breakthrough as the Tractor Boys’ left-back this season with former No.3 Aaron Cresswell moving to West Ham in the summer. Here’s his vitals this season:

Ambitious, agile and effective going forward yet blessed with the powerful, imposing frame of a Premier League centre-half, Mings is the kind of player that could be moulded into anything by the Arsenal’s coaches.

Whether the Gunners need another project at the back right now, however, remains open to debate.

WINSTON REID

Age: 26

Height: 6 foot 3

Positions: Centre-back only

Teams: Midtjylland, West Ham, New Zealand national team

Honours: Championship Playoff winner 2011/12, Hammer of the Year 2012/13

Linked clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs

Likely transfer fee: £6million according to the Daily Mail, £20million according to Sam Allardyce.

What do you say, hombre?

Certainly not the most talented defender to ever grace the Emirates in technical terms, but Winston Reid is a bona fide master of the nuts and bolts of the trade; when it comes to tackles, interceptions, blocks and headers, he’s your man. At the minute, one could argue that’s exactly what Arsenal need – a bit of a Martin Keown figure.

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The New Zealand skipper has made huge progress since first moving to East London after the 2010 World Cup and is now keen to challenge himself at a higher level – with Hammers owner David Sullivan admitting Reid is yet to sign a new contract over the issue of European football.

With his current deal set to expire in the summer, it’s believed Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool – and potentially some clubs from abroad – will try to prize him away in January. Sam Allardyce clearly doesn’t want to sell however and the East Londoners’ current league position of fourth could convince the gritty centre-back to stay on at Upton Park.

FABIAN SCHAR

//www.youtube.com/embed/ZpiVFCUXbz0

Age: 23

Height: 6 foot 1

Positions: Centre-back, but could play at full-back in theory

Teams: FC Wil, FC Basel, Switzerland national team

Honours: Two Swiss Super League titles

Linked clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan

Likely transfer fee: £5million-£10million, according to The Express

Gimme the crack, Jack!

Statistically speaking, Fabian Schar was the best defender in the Champions League last season, as detailed below:

Indeed, the defender’s form at club, European and international level has been continually impressive over the last 18 months. He also chips in with a fair amount of goals, netting nine in his first two seasons at Basel and four in nine for the Swiss national team.

Resultantly, Schar has been tipped as a future star for some time and Europe’s transfer vultures are now circling closer than ever, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal looking increasingly unlikely.

The Swiss hotshot boasts an intoxicating front-footed style, similar to Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen, epitomising the in-vogue mould of the modern day centre-back.

A little slender for the Premier League but unquestionably talented, after a season or so to settle and build up his physicality, Schar could emerge as one of the English top flight’s leading defenders.

There’s so much to admire about Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany. Tall, lean, powerful, organised, intelligent and inspiring. On his day, he’s an almighty figure to have with you, and up until the end of the 2011/2012 season he deserved the accolades he received in being labelled one of the finest defenders in the world.

And before this argument expands too much further, that should be emphasised. On his day, Kompany is an outstanding player, and more so, a fantastic captain. But since City’s first Premier League title in 2012, those good days have been few and far between.

And this is what confuses. Kompany is still renowned in most media circles as the best centre back in England – the Guardian’s ‘top 100’ of players ranked him the 28th best player in the world in December, while in-depth tactics magazine FourFourTwo put him 38th, and the only Premier League defender in their ranks. Why is England so blind to his shortcomings?

The penny finally dropped in City’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at the back end of last season. Re-watch that game and Kompany was directly responsible for all of Liverpool’s goals in an appalling fashion. His one saving grace is that he was only returning from injury at the time, but it’s hard to imagine Martin Demichelis getting off this easily. It went under the radar completely because City went onto clinch the title in wake of Liverpool’s collapse, but that shouldn’t mask Kompany’s weaknesses.

What actually confuses most is his tendency to come hurling up the pitch into challenges to leave his defenders exposed to counter attacks. Gary Neville assassinated David Luiz in his early Chelsea days by likening him to being controlled by a twelve year on a game’s console for doing just that- but ultimately there’s little difference between Luiz and Kompany in this regard.

When Kompany abandons those around him in such a positionally naive way, he risks placing his team in all kinds of trouble. Francsesco Totti’s equalising goal in Roma’s draw at the Etihad earlier on this year was the finest example of that. Kompany was about 30 yards up the pitch when the 39-year-old slotted past Joe Hart in the space he should have been covering. Granted, he may be a converted holding midfielder, but that doesn’t really justify such irrational movements into that zone.

It should be a concern because he keeps doing it, which serves to question whether Manuel Pellegrini is completely ignorant to it, or more worryingly, Kompany just ignores his manager’s instructions.

But it seems especially unfair on Demichelis too, who had an atrociously bad start to his England career. It’s a basic tactical observation, but your sweeping defender, the one who drops deeper out of the pair when fielding attacks, should be your fasted, not your slowest, because he’ll be more susceptible to pace in behind. Re-watch last weekend’s action and you’ll see how Laurent Koscienly followed Sergio Aguero into deep positions to prevent Per Mertesacker’s lack of pace from being exposed.

Interestingly, it should also be noted that Kompany’s hardly fielded a partnership with anyone. Joleon Lescott formed City’s best defensive duo with him in that first season, but since then Lescott, Stefan Savic, Martin Demichelis and Majata Nastasic have all been deemed inferior to him. Eliaquim Mangala is next in line to take up the burden of operating with him, and it will be interesting to see how he settles after an inconsistent start.

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In all, the Belgian seems totally immune to a change in reputation or perception – seemingly he can get away with anything and City’s shortcomings will be blamed on someone else. This weekend, after all, he clumsily gifted Arsenal a penalty and should have been sent off for a late challenge on Alexis Sanchez.

The question now is twofold. Firstly, will Kompany continue in this inconsistent form, a far-cry from the world class player he was two years ago, or regain that aura once made him so good.

The more interesting question is that if he goes down the path of the former, how much longer will he continue to deceive the public. Only time will tell.

Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle last weekend was the classic example of a game of two halves. Having dominated the opening 45 minutes, the Gunners were seemingly cruising to victory thanks to Olivier Giroud’s brace, sending them in two nil up at the break. But a much improved second-half performance from the home side saw them run out unfortunate losers as Arsenal held on to win 2-1.

Despite the initial sense of relief at having made the victory hard work for themselves, there was much to pleased about for Arsenal fans. Playing their fourth game in two weeks, and third away from home, it was refreshing to see the Londoners once again dig in and show their battling qualities to hang on and claim victory.

Recent weeks have shown a new resilient side to Arsene Wenger’s side, something he was quick to praise following their latest victory. Having won at Old Trafford to book their place in another FA Cup semi-final, they were unfortunate not to progress in the Champions League, narrowly losing out on away goals to Monaco, despite looking the better side across the two legs.

And aside from their defensive naivety in the first leg of that tie, there seems to be a growing consistency regarding their ability to see out a game when in the lead. There have been plenty of examples in recent years where Arsenal have succumbed to poor errors at the back, which has ultimately cost them points as they failed to hold on to victory. At times, particularly away from home, there was almost an inevitability that no matter how well they were playing, they would do something to let themselves down and throw the game away. A prime example we all remember being their ability to squander a four-goal lead at St James’ Park a few years back.

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However, slowly but surely they appear to be developing into a side that has the ability to protect a lead in a resilient and determined fashion. Their victory at the Etihad earlier this season highlighted this perfectly in what many described as their best away performance in years. Having conceded six times in the same fixture the previous season, Wenger set his side up in a far more defensive system, with Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin flourishing in the centre of the pitch.

The way in which they were able to see out the game with apparent ease against the defending champions was hugely encouraging for the club, and something that improves their chances of competing against the very best clubs if they can repeat it.

And although visibly tired from their midweek exertions in France, they were able to show this resilient side once again on Saturday when their backs were against the wall as they hung on to remain third in the table and cement their bid for a top-four spot.

There were times when an Arsenal team would have failed to see out a game like this, but nowadays they appear much more capable at churning out results, even when they aren’t on top in the match. With the likes of Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and new signing Gabriel Paulista, they certainly have the personnel to defend a lead effectively, as proved at Newcastle.

There’s no doubting they are a joy to watch at times, and they continue to be considered the best passing team in the country. But an attractive style of football alone is not enough to win you trophies and ensure a push for the title year in year out. If they can continue to combine their qualities with the ball with the new-found resilience and defensive solidarity that has been on show at times this season, then there is no reason they cannot begin to challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City and become genuine title contenders once again in seasons to come.

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Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is adamant that his side should not alter their attacking approach despite the humbling 3-0 weekend loss at Manchester United, and that getting into the top four remains their target.

The Lilywhites’ defeat at Old Trafford, allied to wins for Arsenal and Liverpool, leaves them six points off the Champions League qualification spots, and has led many to suggest that their hopes of getting back into Europe’s biggest competition are fading.

And with a relatively inferior goal difference – the Londoners have shipped 42 – their chances will be reduced further should they fail to get a result against Leicester City in their next fixture.

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But Dembele believes that rather than change the playing style brought in by Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham must keep going and believing:

“We didn’t do it at Old Trafford and that game was different from what we are used to, but we are playing well. We have shown this season what we can do against the big sides.” He is quoted by the London Evening Standard.

“We want to end the season in a good rhythm. Has our chance of a top-four finish gone? We don’t need to think like that otherwise we could become demotivated. Let’s try to win all our remaining games and see where we end.

“We didn’t do it at Old Trafford and that game was different from what we are used to, but we are playing well. We have shown this season what we can do against the big sides.

“We want to end the season in a good rhythm. Has our chance of a top-four finish gone? We don’t need to think like that otherwise we could become demotivated. Let’s try to win all our remaining games and see where we end.

“We have three more full days before the Leicester game to concentrate. We have a good group and a good mentality so I hope we bounce back at the right moment.”

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Spurs have impressed with their swashbuckling style for much of the campaign, with their memorable 5-3 victory against Chelsea over the winter period one of the standout results of the 2014/15 season.

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When Roy Hodgson released his squad for England, it was always going to be cause for debate, regardless of who was chosen. But one noticeable absentee was Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.

He didn’t even barely miss out on being called up, he was one of the last resorts it seemed. Should Ryan Bertrand be England’s starting left-back?

Ryan Bertrand has had a good season, he has been solid in the back for Southampton in the Premier League. He has two goals and two assists for this season.

His average passing accuracy is 80%. Despite his form of the season, he missed out on being called for England. The ‘one season wonder’ argument is valid for Harry Kane, but not Bertrand: why?

Leighton Baines is the first choice under Roy Hodgson, who also has two goals to his name for the season. But Baines boasts a higher average pass accuracy than Bertrand at 85%.

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The Everton defender was included in Hodgson’s 23 man squad for the World Cup, but at 30-years-of-age, he may not be featuring in many more international competitions.

Ryan Bertrand did feature against Italy in Turin, being subbed on to replace Kieran Gibbs. If his current form is justifiable for a call up, then Hodgson has it all wrong. Gibbs has played fewer games than Bertrand, and hasn’t found the back of the net for Arsenal.

Luke Shaw had to withdraw from his England duty due to injury, but he himself is not having a stand-out season. He joined Manchester United in the summer, and has been hit with a fair few injuries throughout the domestic season.

Shaw has made only 13 appearances – half that of Bertrand – and also hasn’t managed to bag a goal for the Reds. Six years separate Bertrand and Shaw; Shaw has plenty of time to play for England.

So, should Bertrand be England’s starting left back?

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Based on this season, he should definitely be further up the list than Roy has him. Being overlooked can’t – and shouldn’t – be down to his club. If Fabian Delph can be included, given how Villa’s season is going, then surely so can Bertrand.

By including Ryan Bertrand in the Italy game, hopefully Hodgson is realising the error of his ways.

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Roll up, roll up to have a go on the managerial merry-go-round. Pick your horse: Real Madrid, Napoli, West Ham, Newcastle, Schalke 04, Derby County, Sunderland. Some top class managers have left their horses vacant, but that only means that there are top class managers available to find a horse.

But who fits where?

Let’s start at Derby. Steve McClaren has had a bit of a renaissance in English eyes over the last few years. He took charge of Derby and for a season and a bit he’s looked like taking them into the Premier League. He’s just fallen short each time and it’s cost him his position. But thanks to the good form he might just find himself offers from higher up. He’s managed to somehow land on his feet.

His successor at Derby is thought to be Paul Clement, the Real Madrid coach who has risen to fame as a young, up and coming football coach who has never played the game professionally, but learning from a great of the business – Carlo Ancelotti – has made him sought after. Taking on a club like Derby would be a good starting point in professional management and the good felicity towards a young, English manager with foreign experience and echoes of Mourinho would be palpable.

His appointment could be hijacked by Sunderland, however. Clement could be tempted – after all, who could resist the bright lights of Sunderland?

Another man who might be tempted is McClaren himself. Sunderland fans might greet this news with a mixed reaction. He failed miserably as England manager, but that’s probably not the whole story. McClaren was always pictured looking a little bit hapless – the ‘wally with the brolly’ didn’t help matters – and the fact that the English fans were promised Scolari and ended up with McClaren is probably one of the reasons he’s so reviled.

But that perception might hold against him at Sunderland too. He’d need a good start to win the fans over, but he’s a man of great experience, he’s managed in Europe and done really well in the North East before. Perhaps he really is the man for the job now that Dick Advocaat has decided that his marriage is more important than Sunderland.

Another man who could do well in the Premier League is Marcelo Bielsa. He’s been linked to West Ham, and if ever there was a club that fitted Bielsa it’s the Hammers. At least for now. Gold and Sullivan, were they to appoint ‘El Loco’ as manager, would effectively be saying to West Fans, ‘You want attacking football – here! Have all the attacking football you can handle!’ Bielsa is the antithesis of Sam Allardyce, and I for one would be giddy if Bielsa came to the Premier League – but the most recent reports see him staying in the south of France. Shame.

One man they can turn to is Roberto Di Matteo. Recently departed from the sinking ship Schalke, he’s a man who knows the Premier League and comes with a promotion, an FA Cup and a Champions League on his CV. How much you put those successes down to his abilities as a manager is a matter of personal taste, but he does have the experience at least to manage in the Premier League.

Then there’s the man who replaced Di Matteo at the Bridge – another man with Premier League experience and another man with European trophies on his CV.

The talk is that Benitez is on his way to Real Madrid and wants Raheem Sterling as his first signing. Which means he wouldn’t be coming back to the Premier League – but it would also mean that Jurgen Klopp won’t be bring that stylish beard and glasses combination to the Bernabeu next season. So if Brendan Rodgers can blow a sigh of relief that Benitez won’t be returning to Anfield to usurp his position, he’ll still have to worry about Klopp.

The hipsters-favourite Klopp loves a pressing style – ‘heavy-metal’ football, as he puts is – and he’d fit very well indeed into the Premier League with an attitude like that. Plus we’d love his hair.

All of this leaves Ancelotti free, too. He’s left Real Madrid and is reportedly heading for a sabbatical rather than returning to management, but that hasn’t stopped AC Milan trying their best to bag him on the rebound. Who needs tinder when an old friend is very interested indeed? All very disrespectful from the Milanello club towards their current beau Filippo Inzaghi, but maybe Carlo is the one that got away.

That’s just the merry-go-round contenders we know of. Manchester City seem content with Manuel Pellegrini despite the talk of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola seems content at Bayern despite his having the nerve to deliver just one trophy to the Allianz Arena this season. The cheek.

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Perhaps the two are simply waiting a season. Pep might want one more crack at the Champions League next season and Pellegrini a chance to win back the Premier League. Perhaps both men can leave next season with reputations intact, rather than under a cloud this season.

The merry go round is starting, and with no football to entertain us we have to find out fix somewhere. So roll up and take a turn, it’s a fun way to spend the day. Just be careful that all of the spinning doesn’t make you dizzy.

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It is widely know that the results of pre-season games mean very little. Cliché after cliché is rolled out about it being about the performance, or ‘gelling’ a new side and various other such cringe-worthy comments that roll off the tongues of football managers like lies from a politician. Pre-season results don’t really mean all that much, but the fitness of players needs to be maintained in the weeks preceding the campaign. Maybe it’s that players don’t work hard enough without the idea of a real fixture, but these pseudo-competitive tournaments are becoming increasingly tiresome as we see celebrities pose with endless Premier League footballers as if they have supported the club for decades.

Several managers have had their say on what they would like to do in pre-season, but crucially, making sure their men get enough rest is absolutely vital to the success of the first few weeks. With each season appearing to end later and later (and the detestable post-season friendlies) the time for rest over summer is decreasing year on year and each pre-season tournament halfway around the world closes down the window for summer relaxation.

The Copa America this summer has left several players missing much of their pre-season excitement, but would this be a problem if they didn’t insist on travelling to another corner of the world?

The Barclays Asia Trophy has recently come to an end and, with three Premier League clubs competing, one of which faced a near walk-through game against a local ‘all-star’ team which just reflected the intensity of the whole ‘tournament’ as a whole. Maybe the training in heat and humidity is beneficial to pre-season preparations, but the whole façade always seems based on building the profile of the club from a business perspective rather than increasing chances of victory on the pitch.

The business benefits of these tournaments are obvious and clubs are being demanded to be run more and more like businesses with the effects of FFP. However, managers have voiced concerns at the planning of pre-season tours that they feel are not helpful to their preparation. If Chelsea or Manchester City want to play Roma or Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly, the additional travel to Melbourne of Los Angeles seems hard to justify to fitness coaches and physios.

By all means, looking to build the club from a business point of view makes sense, but the impact on the team’s conditioning should not be overlooked. The travel times might not have a particularly negative effect on players, but if managers are unable to run pre-season as they want to it cannot be good for the squad.

Managers rely heavily only the start to a season and often do not recover if they have a particularly bad first month or two. Slightly competitive football may be a necessity for some managers, but there are undoubtedly occasions where the commercial obligations of trips to Australasia or North America have had a negative effect on the players.

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Ultimately, very minor pre-season tournaments, like the Barclays Asia Trophy or Emirates Cup, have little to no effect on helping players to hit the ground running. It may well help to sell grounds out around the world, but the false competitive image should be no justification for the money making ventures to the Far-East or LA.