COMMENT: Tottenham have taken the word cautious to a whole new level since the 2016/17 season came to an end. Their reluctance to spend, even when the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and even Arsenal have splashed the cash on shiny new players would've been smart if the transfer window wasn't set to close in less than two weeks.

Every single one of Spurs' aforementioned rivals have made big name signings, funnily enough, each of their most expensive signings, bar Manchester City, scored on their respective debuts, which in itself is a testament to the stiff competition at the top of the table, more so for a club yet to make any summer acquisitions.

Tottenham have done well in the last few seasons; their perpetual progression is something to be extremely proud of as many clubs have tried and failed to establish a presence amongst the Premier League's elite in the past.

What's more commendable is the fact that since the flops from the Gareth Bale money came in, Tottenham have turned their attention to youth development, something that has evidently paid dividends.

But right now it seems as though Spurs' success with young players has robbed them of their logic and cashed a blank cheque of cerebral optimism. They seem to have forgotten that in the unforgiving game that is modern day football, spending doesn't guarantee success, but to truly be successful, you need to spend.

True success in the form of silverware is what Spurs are aiming for this season. The FA Cup, the Premier League or even the Champions League trophy. They just need something of significance to crown their progression lest they risk losing their best players to the promise of more money and trophies.

And although they have signed Davinson Sanchez from Ajax for a club-record fee, to lift any title this term, Spurs need to sign a player with tremendous skill and immense levels of productivity.

Amongst all their summer transfer targets, only one name fits that description - Algerian magician Riyad Mahrez.

A one season wonder to some, an unbelievable talent to most - Mahrez is one of the few quality footballers Tottenham can realistically sign.

He dilly dinged, and dilly donged his way to footballing stardom in the 2015/16 season before falling off last season. His fall though wasn't the type that one season wonders undergo.

His productivity waned, but that stemmed from the situation at Leicester last term.

He maintained high performance levels in the Champions League along with his other teammates as if to say "of course we can still put in great performances, we just won't do it for Ranieri in the Prem" because as soon as Claudio Ranieri was axed, Mahrez returned to being the Mahrez of old and Leicester started playing like the reigning champions.

Against Arsenal on the opening day of the season, Mahrez, who by the way handed in a transfer request recently, was on the pitch, which literally made him the only top wantaway player to make an appearance on the opening day of the 2017/18 Premier League season.

Tottenham may have claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle on the opening day, but had Jonjo Shelvey not gotten stupidly sent off for stamping on Dele Alli's leg, the game might have seen a different outcome.

Tottenham seemed to lack invention against the Magpies with creator-in-chief, Christian Eriksen, being the only player providing Spurs with the creativity they needed to seal the victory. But should a player of Mahrez' ilk had been on the pitch for Spurs, a win would've probably been a foregone conclusion after the first 45.

Many tempestuous battles still await Tottenham this season, in and beyond the Premier League; if Spurs wish to come out on top more often than not, they would do well make Mahrez their primary transfer target.

Ross Barkley is another wantaway who's been heavily linked with a move to Spurs, but for all his talent he doesn't bring enough certainty to the table.

The 23-year-old has always been one of the most talented young players in the Premier League – but so was Jack Wilshere and at the moment he's nothing more than an on-his-day-player.

Mahrez, on the other hand, is more or less the finished article. He's proven himself in the Premier League as well as the Champions League. For the Algeria international, last season was as much a fluke as the 2015/16 campaign was for Eden Hazard.

With Arsenal and Roma keeping tabs on Mahrez, Tottenham would do well to give in to Leicester's demands and snap him up before the transfer window draws to a close.