2. A New Formation
The signings of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli would indicate that Andre Villas-Boas plans to utilise the 4-3-3 formation that was so successful for him at FC Porto (a single season which saw him win everything he could possibly have won with the club). A midfield trio of Sandro, Paulinho and Mousa Dembele will provide Spurs with an engine room that has legs, defensive capabilities, tough-tackling, creativity and indeed goals, while an attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Nacer Chadli and someone like Roberto Soldado has pace, creativity and goals in abundance. If this is the case, surely an improvement on last season's fifth place is a more than realistic proposition for Tottenham Hotspur? If, as already discussed, the team can also concede a smaller number of goals this season, the sky could be the limit for the club.