EPL 2017/18, Newcastle 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points

#5 Both teams have work to do in the transfer market

Pochettino has not been outspoken with regards to Tottenham’s inactivity

Newcastle may have signed five players this summer – Mikel Merino, Christian Atsu, Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo – but Benitez has made it clear that further reinforcements are required before the window closes at the end of the month. Although Newcastle won the Championship last term, there are doubts over whether certain members of the group are good enough to thrive at this level, while squad depth will be another concern for Benitez – particularly after the injuries suffered by Lejeune and Dummett.

Pochettino has not been quite as outspoken with regards to Tottenham’s inactivity, but it would be a major surprise if the north Londoners did not bring in at least one new face before the start of September. Improving the starting XI is a hugely difficult task given that Spurs operate under a strict wage structure, but adding one or two backup players – Davinson Sanchez has been mentioned as a target in recent days – is necessary if Tottenham are to challenge for the Premier League title this year.