As rumours circulate about the future of midfielder Christian Eriksen, Spurs have been linked with a sensational loan move for former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho over the last 24 hours.
The Brazilian has endured a difficult last 18 months with Barcelona, since moving to Spain in January 2018, and has since been linked with a loan move back to England this summer, with Spurs the latest side to be linked with the 27-year-old.
The latest reports regarding the future of Eriksen suggest that the Dane is keen on a move to Spain, so a move for Coutinho would make sense, given the creativity they would lose should Eriksen leave in this window.
So, how much of an impact would Coutinho have at Spurs under Pochettino?
We used Football Manager 2019 to have a bit of fun and try to predict what would happen if Coutinho joined Spurs this summer, and Eriksen was to leave.
Philippe Coutinho to Tottenham
Current Ability: 174/200
Potential Ability: 179/200
Positions: AML/AMC/AMR/MC
Best attributes: Dribbling (18), technique (18), flair (18), long shots (17), first touch (17), agility (17), composure (17), vision (17).
Coutinho is one of the best players in the world in his position, according to Football Manager 2019.
To set up this simulation, we used a fan made editor file to sort out all the latest player transfers, manager changes, promotions, relegations, cup winners and playoff winners, to make the game as realistic as possible.
The only thing that wasn't accurate is the fixture list, which is different to the 2019/20 season schedule already confirmed by the Premier League.
We then loaded up the Football Manager editor, set a future loan transfer which saw Coutinho move to Spurs from Barcelona on August 7, 2019 and then simulated the 2019/20 season, to see how he gets on.
Here's what happened.
Philippe Coutinho's stats for Tottenham 2019/20
Coutinho had a very strong 2019/20 season for Spurs individually.
The Brazilian scored 11 goals and contributed 12 assists in 55 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, proving to be a key part of Mauricio Pochettino's first eleven.
In the Premier League, he was more of a provider than a goalscorer, assisting ten goals and making 37 key passes, the second-most in the league in 2019/20.
In addition to his passing output, he was also a dangerous dribbler, averaging more dribbles per 90 than other player in the division.
Philippe Coutinho's memorable performances for Tottenham in 2019/20
Porto 0-1 Spurs
Coutinho's first European goal for Spurs came in a 1-0 win in Porto, with the 27-year-old scoring the only goal of the game.
Spurs 3-0 Liverpool
Coutinho starred in a 3-0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, getting on the scoresheet and assisting another.
Spurs 4-0 Sheffield United
The former Liverpool playmaker also featured in the 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, getting on the scoresheet twice.
Tottenham's best XI in 2019/20
This was how Tottenham's best XI looked in 2019/20.
Coutinho mainly started from the left of the attack, with Eriksen as a number ten and Dele Alli playing off the right.
Ndombele and Dier were the most used central midfield partnership too.
Here are the full stats for the best performing Spurs players in 2019/20.
Tottenham's Premier League finish in 2019/20
Spurs finished second with Coutinho at their disposal, behind City but above Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
It was a great season for Pochettino's side, earning 79 points overall.
Tottenham's cup results in 2019/20
But, their strong league finish wasn't the only positive, as Coutinho's Spurs also lifted a piece of silverware, winning the Carabao Cup.
Goals from Eriksen and Kane earned a 2-0 win over Leicester in the final, as Pochettino won his first trophy as Spurs manager.
Overall, Football Manager 2019 predicts that if Spurs sign Coutinho, he would have a really positive impact on the team's performance overall.
Coutinho could lead Spurs to an impressive league finish, plus a trophy too. Not bad at all.
