Source: Telegraph
Tottenham are capable of finishing in the top six says Terry Venables
But to achieve their aims, Tottenham need to start in style, beginning with the biggest test possible, against the reigning Champions League title holders, in the forthcoming Wembley Cup.
More than 40,000 Tottenham fans have bought tickets for the inaugural Wembley Cup, which features Celtic against the Egyptian champions Al Ahly, followed by Tottenham against Barcelona, on Friday, July 24. Two days later, Barca play the Egyptians followed by Tottenham against Tony Mowbray's Celtic, whose fans have already bought nearly 20,000 tickets.
It is the perfect test for Tottenham, who will be looking to start in considerably better fashion than a year ago when, under Juande Ramos, they suffered the worst start in the club's history.
Venables led Barcelona to the Spanish title and the European Cup final in three years at Nou Camp before returning to England, in 1987, to manage Spurs for a further six years, and is well placed to consider the value of this fascinating tournament.
"The good thing about the Wembley Cup is that it comes early," said Venables. "It is important to test yourself against top opposition early on, to prepare yourself for the Premier League.
"Who better to play the team that has just seen off Real Madrid and won the Champions league? With Real Madrid spending so much money, Barcelona will be determined to see them off, and so they will want to start well.
"Spurs had a poor start last season but if they can do well against Barcelona it could set up their season. Knowing Harry, he will have some players in mind and he will want those transfers sorted by the time they play Barcelona.
"Daniel (Levy), their chairman, likes to get players out before he buys and with Didier Zokora leaving this week, Spurs will start signing. Harry already has a lot of good players, particularly Ledley King, who he has got a lot more football out of since he arrived.
"You don't know how much they are prepared to spend but they need a goalscorer. Losing Dimitar Berbatov was a big blow, and Manchester United could suffer the same way by losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, because they both gave more than just goals.
"I think Spurs have to do better and they should be looking to break into the top four, but this season may come too early for that."
Venables has watched with interest as Real Madrid spend with gusto to break Barcelona's hold on Spanish titles. "I've seen it before, but the competition in La Liga suggest to me that they could both go further in Europe.
"We have had three English teams in the last four of the Champions league in recent seasons but the competition in Spain suggests that could change.
"Real need to bring defenders in; it's all very well going for all these "galacticos" but if they don't add to their defence they could end up being a bit like Manchester City, having to score three or four goals or so to win a game.
"The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is greater than anywhere else. Real have to put out all the stops."
Venables believes that Celtic can also use the Wembley Cup to their advantage, adding: "There is a good case for Celtic and Rangers coming to the Premier League and this gives then the chance to show how good they are."
One-day and Two-day tickets are still available for The Wembley Cup, on July 24 and 26.
