Quick out of the blocks in the transfer market one year ago, Tottenham fans are desperate for the club to start splashing the cash this summer. Rewind the clock back 12 months and the Lilywhites had already clinched deals for Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma, with Richarlison set to following in a big-money transfer from Everton at the start of July.
This time around it has been much quieter in N17, although that is understandable with Daniel Levy having other priorities following the departures of head coach Antonio Conte and managing director of football Fabio Paratici. Spurs did spring into life in the transfer market last Saturday, however, with the permanent signing of Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus following an 18-month loan deal.
The Swede now looks on course to be joined at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Needing to find a replacement for Hugo Lloris with the Frenchman intent on a new challenge, the Italy international will be the man to inherit his gloves once a deal gets over the line.
While the focus will very much be on the players Tottenham bring to the club this summer as they bid to give new head coach Ange Postecoglou the best squad possible to work with, two of Paratici's transfer additions from 12 months ago could play an integral role under the Australian.
Seen as two players who could make an instant impact in Conte's team, a number of injury issues meant it was a very frustrating first season in the capital for Bissouma and Richarlison. Tottenham did not see the best of them at all and the hope is that they will hit their stride in the 2023/24 campaign.
Given that the Lilywhites shelled out £85million on the pair, they really need to see a return on their huge investment. In terms of Bissouma, who signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £25million deal that could potentially rise to more than £30million with various add-ons, the player was restricted in terms of his playing time with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur excelling alongside one another at the beginning of the term.
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When he was given minutes on the pitch, the Mali international struggled with the tactical aspect of what Conte wanted from his midfielders. He quite simply looked a shadow of the player that wowed at Brighton.
Following a three-month injury layoff after needing to go under the knife to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle, Bissouma caught the eye on his return in the final three games of the season. Ending the term on a positive note on a personal level at least after his injury frustration, the 26-year-old gave everyone a glimpse of what's to come from him next campaign if given a regular chance in the team.
That should certainly be the case under Postecoglou as the Australian does line up with three midfielders in his system. Bissouma looks made for the No.6 role as he can drop deep, gain possession from his centre-backs and then team up with the full-backs and wingers with his range of passing.
Previously playing that way during his time at Brighton, Postecoglou and Spurs may be about to see the very best of the ex-Lille man 12 months on from his move to north London. He will very much be like a new signing if that is the case as he just never got going at all in his debut year at Tottenham.
Richarlison is also someone who needs to be offering the team a lot more, especially considering the fact that he cost Spurs £60million after impressing during his four seasons at Everton. Initially making an impression off the bench to begin with following some energetic cameo appearances, the Brazilian hit the headlines at the start of September with a late double as the team started their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Marseille.
Appearing to be the start of things to come from the attacker, Richarlison's next goal for the club came at the end of April in the agonising 4-3 defeat against Liverpool. Impressing at the 2022 World Cup with three goals for his country in between his strikes for Tottenham, the summer signing also had to contend with three separate injuries that saw him miss a number of games.
The injuries just did not help his cause one bit and neither did the times when he should have been given more starts and minutes on the pitch due to the struggles of others in the attacking positions. Always going to be judged on his numbers given the eye-watering fee he joined Tottenham for, Richarlison's three goals and four assists for a £60million player was simply not good enough.
Tottenham need so much more from the 26-year-old, with Postecoglou hopefully the man who can bring out the very best of the talented forward. The new head coach does have four very good options to choose from when it comes to determining his front three, thus meaning Richarlison may once again have to contend with some time on the bench if Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane are to be his favoured forward line.
The Swede's versatility and his experience of playing as a No.8 when coming through the system at Atalanta could potentially work in Richarlison's favour, though, if Postecoglou wants to deploy Kulusevski as part of his three-man midfield. Time will tell if this is to be his plan going forward.
Needing so much more from both Bissouma and Richarlison next season, the duo both have to step up and deliver as all eyes are going to be on them after their nightmare first 12 months in the capital. If they can indeed go on to repeat the form that they both displayed at Brighton and Everton respectively, Paratici's decision to spend £85million on both will be clear for all to see and they will be like new signings for Postecoglou.
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