Same old Spurs given reality check of epic proportions

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a London derby between the smart spenders and the big spenders.

That is probably an unfair dichotomy, because Spurs’s squad has been crying out for investment, and that has certainly arrived this summer. The club’s new leadership team has overseen more than £300m worth of purchases.

The arrival of Jean Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, two of the league’s best progressive passers from centre-back, makes it clear that improving Spurs’s build up play is a priority for Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi wants his teams to draw pressure from opponents and progress down the middle of the pitch with short passes, so it was imperative that Spurs upgraded in midfield. They have done just that by buying Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, for a combined £185m.

Spurs’s forward options remain much the same though, which could prove a drag in the season’s early weeks. Compared to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, Spurs do not have the same firepower, but they should have more control and solidity this season.

Brentford lost just three league games at home last season, and they were unfortunate not to qualify for Europe. A lighter workload offers Keith Andrews the chance to consolidate on an excellent first season as head coach, and perhaps overtake some of those clubs with continental commitments.

Midfielder Mamadou Sangaré, signed for £39m from Lens, looks the pick of their summer business, tipped to be a £100m sale to one of the big boys (which is an unromantic perspective on the transfer, but very much Brentford’s model).

Asked about the Mali international, Andrews said: “He’s a very talented midfielder who can do lots of different aspects of that role.

“He’s a very focused, very determined and very ambitious young man. He’s very humble but equally as hungry to achieve impressive things. He’s certainly a player on an upward trajectory.”

Forwards Jadon Anthony and Callum Wilson are other arrivals, and Michael Kayode’s long throws will continue to be a serious weapon.

Full team news on the way shortly.