Tottenham kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea after beating Southampton 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men saw the Blues secure a late victory at Stoke the day before, so knew that they needed all three points against Claude Puel’s side to just about stay in the title race.

And they did just that, with goals from Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli firing them into a 2-0 half time lead, and although James Ward-Prowse got one back for the Saints, Pochettino’s side held on to secure a tenth straight home win in the league.

It means that the FA Cup semi-finalists remain in second and ten points behind Chelsea, and although they have much to play for between now and May, that doesn’t appear to have stopped speculation mounting about who they may look to sign in the summer.

And one man they’ve been linked to in recent days is Everton’s Ross Barkley, whose fine form saw him recalled to the England squad for their upcoming games against Germany and Lithuania.

The 23-year-old has been much-improved since the turn of the year, and with just one year left on his current deal at Goodison Park, his future is very much uncertain, with both Spurs and Arsenal reportedly keeping tabs on the attacker.

Nonetheless, Pochettino will be confident of landing the England star this summer ahead of Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, and here are THREE ways in which Spurs could line up with Barkley in the side next season…

Midfield trio (4-2-3-1)

The most obvious line up would see Barkley slot in alongside Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in the midfield three behind Harry Kane.

23-year-old Barkley has been playing in a more advanced role for Everton behind Lukaku and has flourished, and with the creativity of Alli and Eriksen, and the finishing ability of Kane, he’s sure to flourish at Spurs as well.

The third place in that midfield trio has been up for grabs for most of this term, with Son Heung-min, Erik Lamela, and Moussa Sissoko trying but failing to nail down a regular spot, so Barkley would certainly see an opportunity there in a position he clearly enjoys playing in.

Although he and Alli would likely prefer to play centrally, those two and Eriksen have the ability to swap positions mid-game, which not only improves their capabilities in those roles, but also keeps the opposition guessing.

Could Barkley be the third man in that devastating good midfield trio?

Alongside Dembele and Wanyama (4-3-3)

Barkley has also occasionally played in a slightly deeper role for Everton in his career, with varying success.

The main issue there is that he is sometimes not disciplined enough defensively, be it that he doesn’t track back quick enough, but mainly because he sometimes gives the ball away in dangerous areas, and tries to dribble out of trouble.

However, alongside Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele, Pochettino would still expect him to put a shift in defensively, but Barkley would have the safeguard of two of the best central midfielders in the Premier League alongside him.

Kenyan captain Wanyama has been sensational since his summer move from Southampton, with his physical strength and presence constantly thwarting opposition attacks, while 29-year-old Dembele is brilliant both on and off the ball, to the point that he is one of the most underrated players in the league.

Barkley would surely be able to learn from these two to help him flourish in that role as well.

Just behind Kane (3-4-2-1)

This system would see Barkley slot in alongside either Eriksen or Alli in the midfield two just behind Kane.

It’s a formation Spurs have been using to great effect in recent times, especially with the attacking wing-backs at the club, and it could see Barkley produce his best.

The England star enjoys the more advanced role and he would chiefly be playing centrally, but would also have the freedom to get wide if desired, but also drop back and help orchestrate things from a deeper position.

It would be fiercely competitive between Alli, Eriksen, and Barkley for these two spots, but that sort of competition may bring the best out of all three of them, which can only be good news for Pochettino and Tottenham.