Simmering beneath the dejection and defiance in the aftermath of defeat in the Champions League final was a feeling that this Tottenham side may have reached the very end of a natural cycle.
It has been an epic journey together. They will never forget those acts of escapology in the group phase, that equaliser in Barcelona, the nerve-shredding tension of VAR-assisted victory at Manchester City, or the emotional high in Amsterdam.
They came up short in Madrid but, as Harry Kane made for the bus with ear-plugs in and eyes fixed on the floor, and Moussa Sissoko pulled up his hood and avoided eye contact, key questions were already forming...
Tottenham's Champions League final defeat seemed like the very end of a natural cycle
Certainly, this is the end of Project Poch 1. Even the man himself says it is time for a ‘new chapter’, time to ‘think like a big club’, with a glittering new stadium to go with their status as Champions League finalists.
More cryptic comments about Mauricio Pochettino’s own future as Tottenham manager, however, only served to fuel doubts about whether there will be Project Poch 2. Is he hankering after a different challenge, as he hinted before the Champions League semi-final? Or was that for effect, to apply pressure on chairman Daniel Levy?
Post-match in Madrid, Pochettino said it was a time to be ‘proud’ and ‘positive’ but ‘not a moment to talk’ about his own situation. All questions to the players about their manager were shut down by club press officers.
There are doubts over whether or not Mauricio Pochettino plans on staying much longer
If there is not an issue — and sources close to Spurs do not expect him to quit with four years left on his contract — then one has been artificially created for whatever reason.
Last season ended with similar noises from the manager about the need to ‘be brave’ and ‘take risks’ in the quest for ‘the biggest trophies’.
In fact, nothing changed: they signed no one, kept everyone and produced a successful season. The overriding feeling inside the camp is they cannot afford to repeat this policy. There is money to spend and the squad needs energising, but it is a balancing act.
On the moveChristian Eriksen was so long the creative heartbeat of this team but his form has faded, only a year remains on his contract and his mind is set on leaving. He has no intention of discussing a new deal, wants to play in Spain and Real Madrid will move for him. Levy has made it known negotiations will start at north of £100million.
Toby Alderweireld, also a year from the end of his contract, has a clause which entitles him to leave for just £25m. Manchester United have long-standing interest and such a move would be lucrative. But to swap White Hart Lane for Old Trafford is to trade down to the Europa League. There is a suspicion Alderweireld plans to leave on a free at the end of his contract.
Of the other, Fernando Llorente and Michel Vorm are out of contract, and Jan Vertonghen has signed for one more year, but there is a feel of a natural break-up and a need to reinvest.
Spurs will try to offload Victor Wanyama, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Vincent Janssen (again), and will consider offers for first-choice full backs Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier.
Christian Eriksen looks on during what was most likely his final game for Tottenham
After 18 months without signings, the Tottenham squad
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