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William Gallas believes Tottenham are too young and will suffer in the Champions League

The Frenchman has argued that Spurs' lack of experience will hold them back in Europe

Sunday 18 June 2017 14:57 BST

William Gallas spent three years at Tottenham between 2010 and 2013 (Getty)

William Gallas believes Tottenham’s youthful squad will serve to hinder the side in next season’s Champions League campaign.

With one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, Tottenham lack the experience of their rivals and Gallas, who spent three years at the club, has argued that this will hold them back on Europe’s main stage.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men finished second in the Premier League last season, earning wide praise for their performances and consistency, but struggled to recreate their domestic form in the Champions League.

Tottenham were knocked out of the competition in the group stages, managing just two victories from six games, and fared no better in the Europa League where they were eliminated by Belgium’s Gent.

And Gallas has said that despite the progress enjoyed by the club across the past two years, Spurs will continue to struggle in Europe next season.

“It was a big shame what happened to them last season but this Tottenham squad is a little too young for the Champions League,” he said.

“Against Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen in the group games, it showed that they needed more experience.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

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1/8Tottenham summer transfer targets

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Which players could Spurs sign this summer?

Getty

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Joshua King, Bournemouth

Norwegian striker Josh King has had a fine season, scoring 16 goals for a Bournemouth side which hovered precariously above the relegation zone for parts of the season. He played a key role in keeping the Cherries up and, given his performances, has caught the interest of Tottenham. The player admitted in an interview earlier in the season that he is pleased that Spurs have recognised his talents - comments which have added fuel to the fire over a potential £15m move. Pochettino is eager to solve the goalscoring issue his team faces when Harry Kane is injured or rested and King, who also qualifies as home-grown, could be the ideal solution.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Max Meyer, Schalke

Schalke set the midfielder’s price-tag last summer at £45m for interested teams, but having remained at the club, Meyer has stalled over signing a new contract. With his current deal expiring next summer there is a realistic chance he will look to move on, and for a significantly lower fee than originally stated, at around £20m. Tottenham are among those monitoring his situation and could look to bring him in to increase squad depth ahead of another packed season.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Ben Gibson, Middlesbrough

A similar case to Michael Keane, the 24-year-old centre back is highly rated and won his first England call-up against Lithuania this year. Chelsea, who view him as an ideal replacement for the departing John Terry, seem to be in the driving seat. With Kevin Wimmer looking likely to leave, Tottenham will be in the market for a centre-back and hold interest in Gibson, though Chelsea’s eagerness to secure his signature may complicate things.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Ross Barkley, Everton

The Everton midfielder has obvious talent but has failed to perform consistently at his club. It is thought a change of scenery to invigorate his career is something the player would consider, and Tottenham are keen to snap him up if the chance arises. Barkley’s contract expires next summer and it is believed that Ronald Koeman will look to cash in on the playmaker to avoid losing him for free next season. That is no surprise, especially as he could cost interested clubs £30m.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Demarai Gray, Leicester City

Pochettino’s preference to buy players who already possess Premier League experience could see the Leicester winger, 20, become the subject of Tottenham interest this summer. Gray made 72 appearances for Birmingham City, where he came through the ranks, before joining Leicester in 2016 and gained 12 league caps to help the club win the Premier League title. With bags of pace and potential, he has also represented England from U18 to U21 level and is tipped for future success. A fee of £12m could be enough to prise the youngster away from Leicester this summer.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Ryan Sessegnon, Fulham

The young left-back has now turned 17 and, as a result, is legally allowed to sign his first professional contract. A host of top clubs have scouted the player, who impressed at Craven Cottage in Fulham’s televised FA Cup tie against Tottenham back in February, but the West Londoners are keen to keep hold of him by guaranteeing him first team football. Tottenham have been strongly linked to the youngster in recent days, though, and Fulham can expect a fight to hold onto the defender.

Tottenham summer transfer targets

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace

The winger recently signed a new five-year contract at Selhurst Park in a move that will surely repel any interested clubs. Nonetheless, football works in mysterious ways and having already made a move for the winger last season, there’s no reason Spurs won’t come knocking a second time. Having said that, Tottenham would need to be serious in what they offer, as opposed to last summer’s £12m bid, if they’re to stand any chance of bringing Palace to the trading table.

“The Champions League is different to the Premier League. You need experience, you need to be more clever and stay focused.

“If you compare our squad back then with now, we had many older and more experienced players."

Tottenham also have the added consideration of playing at Wembley for the entirety of next season.

 Spurs have a poor record at Wembley  (Getty)

The side managed just one win from five attempts at the national stadium and questions have been raised if Pochettino’s men can adapt to their temporary home for the 2017/18 campaign.

“Hopefully, they will have learned from last season’s experience - and be better for it,” Gallas added.

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