Why Mauricio Pochettino's first year in charge of Tottenham has been a success [VIDEO]

Tottenham’s recent 0-0 draw away to Burnley has all but ruled them out of contention for the top four, and consequently will see them miss another year of Champions League football. Although seven Premier League fixtures still remain, the club sits six points behind Manchester City and with their current form, it does not look like bridging the gap.

Under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs sit in sixth position on the table, the same spot they finished in 2013-14. Although Pochettino is not likely to lead the Spurs to the Champions League, which was their goal heading into the season, he has overseen many positives through his year in charge. The question must be asked then, can the Argentine’s first year at Tottenham be called a success?

It would be very easy to see this season as a failure from the perspective of a Tottenham supporter. Another year without silverware to their name after a less than impressive FA Cup exit to Leicester and a disappointing Europa League campaign left the top four as the main goal. After recent poor performances such as the draw away to Burnley and a convincing loss to Manchester United, the top four looks to be out of reach now also. Looking solely at these results, it is not implausible to claim that Pochettino has not helped the side improve. Tottenham’s use of young players this year, however, has given Spurs fans many reasons to be excited for years to come.

Pochettino has relied heavily upon Tottenham’s young brigade this season. The fact that the starting XI for much of the season has consisted of six players under the age of 24 and remained in the hunt for a top four berth is incredible. 21 year-old Harry Kane is perhaps the greatest example of the youth project paying off. Kane has exploded onto the scene with 19 goals this season, repaying his manager’s faith handsomely. Rocketing himself to the top of the scoring charts and already making his name as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, his rise to the top has been well documented, but the rest of Pochettino’s youth project must be heralded also.

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Loaned out to Swindon Town last season, Ryan Mason has played a major role under Pochettino. He has made 30 appearances in total, partnering Nabil Bentaleb who has 28 appearances in his own right, in the heart of midfield. While at times the duo have looked shaky defensively, it is imperative to remember that they are just 23 and 20 years old respectively.  Both have not only notched their first goals for the club, but have had a taste of consistent Premier League action, something that will hold the club in fantastic stead in the years to come. Mason has recently made his international debut for England, and Bentaleb already has a World Cup start for his native Algeria to his name. Mighty impressive for a duo as young as these two.

Then there is case of Christian Eriksen. Already an international superstar, it is easy to forget that Eriksen is just 23 years of age. As reported already by Outside90’s Russell Cane, Eriksen sits behind only Eden Hazard and David Silva for most goals by a midfield player this season. That is elite company. Five of his nine goals have come from outside the box, the most in European football. Second to none. He sits fourth overall in Europe for key passes (65) behind only Hazard, Silva and Dimitri Payet of Marseille. All of this at just 23 years of age. Wow.

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Another of Tottenham’s young brigade is pacey winger Andros Townsend. Not only has Townsend begun to establish himself as a sparkplug for the Lilywhites, he has provided real quality when called upon to wear the England national shirt. He recently scored the equalising goal against four-time world champion Italy in Turin. This would never have been the case had Pochettino not showed faith in Tottenham’s youth. Another that fits this category is 21-year-old Eric Dier. Joining the club in 2014, Dier has already established himself as not only a regular first team player, but an important one at that. He has provided versatility and stability to the defensive, an aspect that was dearly needed. All at just 21 years old.

While Tottenham may not have brought silverware back to White Hart Lane in 2014-15, and will likely fail to qualify for the Champions League, Pochettino has led the club to a far more exciting position than any of his predecessors. His faith in the clubs’ youngsters has not only seen results this year, but will continue to reap benefits in years to come. He has seen Tottenham to a position where they can likely challenge for silverware for many years to come. With the core of the squad so young, and the Spurs likely to loosen the purse strings in order to add more quality to the list, Pochettino’s first year in charge can be considered a rousing success.

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