Tottenham enjoy near-perfect transfer window but obvious question emerges after failed pursuits | OneFootball

Thomas Frank has enjoyed an impressive start to life as Tottenham head coach and now knows his options for the next four months

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

At 11:16pm, Tottenham’s transfer business on Deadline Day was officially done.

On the outgoings front, bringing in around £8.6million for Bryan Gil was a success. The time also felt right for Heung-min Son to move on earlier in the summer.

It is not, however, an easy window to assess. If there are frustrations among the supporters, it is not with the business that was done but rather what, or who, was missed out on.

Failed pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze shaped the mood for much of the summer and left Frank for too long without the creative force he needed in midfield.

Spurs were also unable to make progress when it came to top target Savinho as Manchester City proved reluctant to sell. A top-quality winger did feel necessary, with Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert all failing to convince.

However, it is no bad thing that Spurs stuck to Frank’s insistence they would only make signings of the right quality. It would have been easy to rush out and sign a winger just to fill a space and placate the fanbase, but that would have only made future recruitment more difficult.

For all the understandable frustrations, this was a very good, if not spectacular, window for the club. Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus are superb additions and immediately strengthen the starting XI, while Randal Kolo Muani makes sense a cheap, versatile option to play across the front line.

There has been a strong focus on buying young in recent windows and there is no shortage of project players in the squad, who in the seasons ahead could develop into top stars.

Frank, though, needed signings with experience and players that could make an immediate impact. He has got that with three, if not four, guaranteed starters.

The significance of Cristian Romero signing a new four-year contract also cannot be underestimated. The 27-year-old has committed his prime years to the club and as captain is front and centre of this new era under Frank.

For a player who came into the summer seemingly eyeing a move to Spain, Romero putting pen to paper was a big show of faith.

New contract: Cristian Romero

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Whether the transfer window was good enough will become apparent in the weeks and months ahead, when the Champions League and a more hectic fixture list kicks in.

The starting XI is now stronger but the obvious question is over squad depth. Luka Vuskovic leaving on loan leaves the squad light at centre-back, particularly with Radu Dragusin believed to still be a couple of months away from playing again.

An injury to Romero or Micky van de Ven would be disastrous and while Kevin Danso could come in, Ben Davies would be the only other back-up. Spurs are also relying on Pedro Porro staying fit and playing near enough every match.

A central midfielder with a better eye for a pass would also have been ideal, so too another winger.

Those would have made it a perfect window, but those are few and far between for any club. This was a strong summer for Spurs - they will now be hoping for some long overdue luck on the injury front.