Having failed to sign the striker they appeared to want in the January transfer window, Tottenham really felt the effects of injuries to the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
Jose Mourinho has had to make do with playing Dele Alli and Lucas Moura through the middle, and it has been no surprise to see them lack a cutting edge up top – they didn’t manage a single goal against RB Leipzig over two legs in their Champions League last 16 exit.
This summer will represent Mourinho’s first as manager of the Lilywhites, and he will no doubt be urging his club to try and reinforce where they can – despite admitting that it won’t be a massive overhaul of the squad.
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And whilst Mourinho and Daniel Levy are the names the focus of attention will be centred around, the club’s chief scout, Steve Hitchen will likely have to play a major role too.
The 43-year-old has built up plenty of experience in his role, including in his time at Liverpool when he urged the Reds to sign now Barcelona superstar Luis Suarez.
And even for Spurs, Hitchen has been credited with the success Steven Bergwijn has enjoyed in his first few weeks at the club – the Dutchman has scored twice in his first seven games for the north London side, including one spectacular volley in the win over Manchester City.
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With Spurs currently languishing outside of the top four places in the Champions League, and still questions over what steps the Premier League will take place considering the circumstances, it is looking even more imperative for Mourinho’s side to get things absolutely spot-on off the pitch this summer.
Hitchen will have to play an enormous part in ensuring Spurs target the right players to help revive this ailing team, and get them back to competing with the best.
Meanwhile, Spurs swooping for this ace could land them Mourinho’s new Lampard.