Having experienced such a successful loan campaign at Swansea last term, it is only natural for plenty of attention to be focused on Steven Caulker this season. The player claims that having now returned to Tottenham, he is desperate to make an impact and prove to Andre Villas-Boas that he is ready for first team action.

There was very little known about Caulker when he made the loan switch to Swansea last term, yet he returned to White Hart Lane as an established top flight defender and is about to take part in the Team GB squad for the Olympic Games. Moreover, his form at the Liberty Stadium prompted rumours that Brendan Rodgers was looking to take the defender in a deal worth £8m. However, such speculation came abruptly to an end earlier in the month, after the 20-year-old signed a new contract at White Hart Lane.

After signing the new deal, it is clear where Caulker’s priorities lie. Speaking in an interview, the player says that he is desperate to break into the Spurs first team, although Andre Villas-Boas has indicated that it could be hard for him to make an immediate impact. He said, “Signing the new deal before this was a weight off my mind. This is the start of a big year for me, with the Olympics and then heading back to the Spurs. I’ll hopefully get an opportunity and I’ll take it. Of course you want the chance of impressing the manager, but I had a chat with him and understood his plans and I think when I am back, it’s down to me to impress him.”

Whether or not Caulker is successful in his bid for first team action is another matter. Despite fellow central defender Ledley King retiring from the game, Spurs still have a whole host of other options in the heart of their defence.