Should Spurs spend in January? Tottenham Hotspur have had a mixed start to the new season. Despite finishing above Real Madrid in their champions league group they still remain outside the top four in England. With league rivals Liverpool spending £75 million on a center back and other premier league sides also indicating that they will invest this January, can spurs really afford not to spend this month?

Necessity

Long term target Ross Barkley is near match fitness and his Everton deal is up in the summer. Everton appear open to selling now to make some money rather than no money at all when his contract expires. Their position in the league is also still somewhat precarious. Tottenham would prefer to wait until the summer but with Chelsea also monitoring Barkley, the North London outfit may be forced to move sooner than intended. Chairman Daniel Levy is a notoriously tough negotiator and will loath the idea of spending money on a player he can snap up for free in the summer.

However, manager Mauricio Pochettino has a great reputation for player development. For a player like Barkley – who has seen his career stagnate despite early comparisons with Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, the investment may yet be worthwhile. If Barkley impresses early in a world cup year this will benefit him. His value may even treble or quadruple if Pochettino has similar success as he has had with players like Kyle Walker.

Tottenham have had lots of injuries in the midfield area this season. Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Moussa Dembele have all been out at some stage during the season. Barkley will add much needed cover into this area and will also provide another creative outlet. The addition of another midfielder will also give Pochettino some more tactical flexibility. Can Spurs really risk another injury crisis as Champions league and important league games stack up?

Other Potential Targets

Tottenham rarely spend big in the summer and are even less likely to do so in January. In the attacking areas Tottenham are light and are one or two injuries away from a potential crisis. When everyone is fully fit there is one squad player, Erik Lamela, that can come on and make a difference. Spurs need more options. Tottenham have been linked with both Wilfred Zaha of Crystal Palace and Bordeaux wonder kid Malcom. Both of these will have big price tags which are likely to put off Levy. However, Leicester City winger and 2015/16 PFA player of the year Ryiad Mahrez has been linked with Spurs in recent days.

The Algerian, like Barkley has seen his form dip. He has also made it clear that he would like to move on from Leicester. He has not been the same player he was during Leicester City’s title winning season, but has obvious ability. Mahrez will likely cost less than Zaha and Malcom. The Algerian has won a Premier League title and his club appear more open to his departure so that, as with Barkley, Tottenham could potentially get themselves another reasonably priced player.

Player retention

Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christain Eriksen are being coveted by the richest clubs in the world. Added to the fact that Toby Alderweireld is still yet to sign a new deal (albeit with two and a half years left on his current one), Tottenham cannot afford to finish outside of the Champions League places. Tottenham have lacked consistency so far this season. This is mainly due to the size of the squad and how much of an impact injuries and dips in form of key players have on the side. Long term an investment of £40 or £50 million could pay off if it ensures Tottenham enter into the new stadium with Champions League football. Not investing this month may be a risk Tottenham cannot afford to take.

Main Photo

Embed from Getty Images