In the inevitable but necessary post-mortem that immediately follows the Premier League season, Tottenham fans might be forgiven for concluding their team has just been treading water for the last 12 months.

Although they have finished in fifth - a place higher than the season before - the 'prize' is still the same: another season of toil in the Europa League.

And though they have cut the margin between themselves and the team in fourth place from 10 to six points, the brutal reality is that their Champions League challenge fell well short. Again.

Mauricio Pochettino must be given the funds to make statement signings this summer, otherwise Tottenham will face another season of falling short in their pursuit of Champions League football

The 31 goals of Harry Kane have been exciting this season - but Spurs haven't progressed

Christian Eriksen has been one of Tottenham's best performers this season

Spurs finished in fifth place - one better than 2013-14 - but were still well short of the Premier League top four

For all the justifiable excitement generated by the 31 goals of homegrown Harry Kane and the positive form of Christian Eriksen, Spurs haven't moved forward in any palpable way during Mauricio Pochettino's first season.

So the moves they make this summer are absolutely crucial. Spurs are at a crossroads.

Do they make the massive investment necessary to smash through the ceiling and into the top four? Or will they spend modestly... and remain exactly where they are?

What Spurs fans wanted in the final weeks of the season was to see their club linked with a host of exciting players. They wanted to see an exciting list of potential summer acquisitions.

They wanted to see themselves mentioned in the same breath as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal as possible destinations for Europe's brightest talents.

Instead, they have Kieran Trippier, a worthy signing but someone who has just been relegated with Burnley, and a little-known defender from Cologne by the name of Kevin Wimmer.

Tottenham are close to signing the Burnley defender Kieran Tripper for around £3.5m

The club have also wrapped up the signing of £4.3m defender Kevin Wimmer (left) from Cologne

Doesn't exactly get the pulse racing, does it? It's hard to imagine Arsenal and United quaking in their boots.

Trippier's ability to get forward and impressive crossing skills justify the anticipated £3.5m outlay but it's telling that he had previously been linked with newly-promoted Bournemouth.

Austrian player Wimmer, who has signed for a £4.3m fee, is not exactly a household name and someone who said he regards playing in the Europa League as the next step in his development.

Is this the calibre of player that is going to be brought in for what seems the umpteenth summer in a row?

Last summer, they bought the American international DeAndre Yedlin, who belatedly moved across from the Seattle Sounders in January. So far, he has played in one senior game.

This coming weeks will see Spurs offload a host of unwanted and inadequate players including Younes Kaboul, Vlad Chiriches, Etienne Capoue, Benjamin Stambouli, Paulinho, Moussa Dembele, Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor.

American international DeAndre Yedlin on his one Premier League appearance for Spurs so far

Roberto Soldado has been a £26m flop since his arrival at White Hart Lane two seasons ago

Paulinho is another expensive signing likely to be offloaded over the course of the summer

It is a mere two years since Paulinho, Soldado, Capoue and Chiriches were acquired for a combined £60.5m and already they are on the scrapheap.

However, if they are shrewd and act quickly, Spurs are looking at a decent windfall to put towards new signings.

The likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Yevhen Konoplyanka. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Pedro, Marc Bartra and Jackson Martinez would get the fans feeling excited.

Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin has enjoyed an excellent season on the south coast

PSG's Ezequiel Lavezzi has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer

They must show more ambition in the transfer market and must not be afraid of spending big. A statement buy is required.

It is five years now since their sole Champions League campaign and that is far too long. The riches on offer in Europe's elite competition will soon offset this summer's expenditure.