Summer transfer fun: The calm before the...er...storm?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2:01PM Sandro Arrival Date
Won’t be arriving to N17 until after Internacional get knocked out (or go all the way) in the Libertadores Cup. The next game being played is the second leg of the quarter final (20th May). They won the first leg. The semi-final second leg gets played on the 2nd August. So he’s potentially a fair distance away (literally) from joining. Not forgetting he’ll need to squeeze in a summer’s holiday before training at the Lodge.
So, should take him a few months to climatise to the EPL and life in England and in the mean time we’ll find out whether Harry will continue to start Modric and Huddlestone in the middle or tinker depending on opponent. Sandro, the squad player, at the very least in his first season at the Lane. What we do with the centre of the park and Wilson/Luka/Tommy is a renewed conundrum that will need resolving.
Pav
On his way? The suggestion is that Lokomotiv are looking to approach Spurs again for the Russian forward. No shocker here. Roman had a fantastic mini-spell for us scoring plenty, but perhaps it was inspired with this move in mind, rather than any inspirational man-management from Harry. We do need to make some room in our attack for new blood and Crouch and Defoe offer our gaffer something tangible in comparison to the fragile Roman (Crouch – mad skillz for a tall person / Defoe – destroys the offside trap).
Oleg Artemov (Pav’s agent) is at it again. Says that the player has adapted to the EPL and that he has remained because of the trust shown in him and his performances (oh and the little matter of 4th spot) but then states there will be negotiations. Add to it the quotes coming out of the Russian media from Nikolai Naumov (Lokomotiv president) and we might be looking at reclaiming the money spent in the first place. Which means...
New striker
We need one. We need a talismanic forward. A next-level forward. And now we have the promised land of CL group stages in our sight, money has to be spent on someone who can smash in 25-30 goals and bring the type of dimension witnessed in Berbatov’s debut EPL season. Asking for the moon on a stick, aren’t I? I can’t think of anyone domestically who fits the bill. As for the continent? Edin Dzeko is a name being touted about. He’s a Bosnian who plays his football in Germany for Wolfsburg. Cracking little player, and expect bigger badder clubs to be interested in his signature. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility, but his wage demands might be (I guess, with 4th spot claimed, does Levy review the wage structure at the club?). Then again, is all this newspaper talk or forum talk? I forget. The reality of the situation is, unlike Berbatov prior to us signing him, Dzeko is being chased by seasoned CL sides who are serious about signing him.
King
New contract. Says a lot this. He deserves it for the shift he put in this season. Yes, he’s a cameo player but when he does play he’s on a completely different planet to everyone else. Has massive pockets in his shorts where opposing forwards, with thumb in mouth, sleep for prolonged periods during games. Only got one knee, and yet here he is. Still Tottenham. Still a freak of nature. And his 4 games on the trot run at the end of the season should be enough to prove he is ready to answer the call for England.
O'Hara
I've lost count of the interviews and headlines this guy is generating at the minute. Current one is that he's thinking of changing his international allegiance to Ireland. Okay. I think England might survive that bombshell. Just about. If he is being genuine about fighting for a place at Spurs (he's got no chance of being a starter) he should shut up, enjoy his summer hols then buckle down for some hard grafting at the start of the 2011 season. If he's simply using all this to indirectly advertise his availability, then for once, I hope he quits this constant sob story airing and simply asks his agent to get to work behind the scenes and spare us from this daily torture.
ITK (in the know) update
Can’t say there is one. Plenty of the usual BS floating around in the basin of tabloids. I see Robert Green is linked. Riiiiiiight. Harry claims all deals will be done BEFORE the World Cup, but then why should he give anything away? Perhaps all our targets are not involved down in South Africa and he’s agreed with Levy we only need one or two players. Doubtful. We’ve got plenty of deadwood that needs to be transformed into sterling and if we are serious about stepping up to the next level that new striker is required along with CB cover and perhaps another midfield.
Arda Turan is another name the papers are citing. A starlet of Turkish football. Scores a few goals. Tasty. But where would he fit in? And don’t you dare even think the ‘he’s a Modric replacement’ thought.
So, CB. Another central midfielder. A back-up goalkeeper (preferably a decent young keeper). I’m not that fussed about our usual intake of young players, mainly because I’m still waiting to see how we handle the likes of Bostock re: development along with a few other academy stars who are meant to be highly rated. Inglethorpe has his hands full there. What we need is to improve our squad (obviously) and perhaps a couple of cheeky ‘experienced’ signings might aid us (if) we get into the CL group stage. Along with, of course, that CB, CM and Forward.
If we’re going down the route of expected ‘targets’ (targets being the players the tabloids and ITK forum dwellers will be latching onto) then expect the following domestic players to be mentioned countless times:
Micah Richards
Joe Cole
Craig Bellamy (handshake innit)
Steven Pienaar
Ashley Young
Scary thing is I can see us inquiring on a couple of them. And I wouldn’t say no to one of them at the very least. The less about the usual ITK favs said, the better (Diarra, Sissoko, Muntari). Been there done that.
As for Robbie Keane’s return. Soz. No. It’s what you get for following your boyhood dream to the gates of Anfield.
Reader Comments (59)
I think getting shot of Keane was one of the main reasons the team really gelled and started to play with more focus. Any coincidence he was shipped out after the Christmas party incident? Maybe he's seen as a disruptive influence.
The most groan inducing stage of any season is this part, the bullshit, the rumours, the made up and the rehashed. As ever I'll only celebrate/cry when I see said target modelling next year's shirt.
Some familiar text in that Dzeko paragraph. I reckon he's our best bet. Like you (and I) said, ain't gonna be easy signing under the radar of other CL teams though.
Fabiano linked too, doubtful, but ya never know.
Agree
I wouldn't believe word until it happens. That includes the Harry sound bites. I can see us signing one or two experienced players. Joe Cole being one of them. The rest I hope are 23-26 year old quality high end players. Only need 2/3 additions. No need to rock the boat.
It was David Villa this morning - I nearly fell off my chair laughing! What a load of bollocks it all is.
If we cannot sign another striker that can take us to the next goal scoring level, then I would personally favour one that could put the fear of god into defences. Whn Sir Les came onto the field, the first thing he did was to clatter the oppositions centre half. Strength and power - not even that big a guy. We have not got that type of forward at the club at the moment, and don't tell me Bent was - he couldn't bash anyone.
WE need a LB if GB is going to LM. Berbs will be back and watch out for a big attacking Croatian, remember you read it here first
Huntelaar would be marvelous.
Big Johna, how ironic you write stuff like that on here. 'You read it here first eg, If it doesn't come off you'll never hear from me again, If it does I'm a god and clearly know people in high places,'.
You can't lose really with bullshit like that can you? Well done.
Judging by our strikers' poor all round game, I'd book Les Ferdinand a seat on the same Transsiberian Express as Pav.
Talk about money for old rope.
Woody replcaement (unfortunately) seems to be on the cards. That Kjaer bloke from Palermo is being touted alot and what with his age (21), alleged talent and with Arry catching a pizza the action at the Palermo Atalanta match, it seems very much like a Spurs signing. In all honesty, I wish Woody could find a miracle cure for his groin - he's a magnificent talent and a fit woody king combo would be amazing. Perhaps he could try O'Hara's missus if he hasnt yet...mind you, he might end up with a double fracture of the spine instead.
Huntelaar not overrated then?
Cudicini just extended his deal, I'm pretty pleased with that, I don't think we need another back-up keeper if he stays fit. Good to see he's back in training too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8689962.stm
Big jonha do you mean Mandzukic ? I dream of dzeko and lukaku :)
Apparently Harry went to watch Simon Kjaer for Palermo the other day, which is interesting. That would be the CB position sorted if we get him. Other than that I'd say we could get through next season and finish fourth again with a respectable first run in CL if we brought in a top level striker. Dzeko would be immense, those two would be enough for me. Although a quicker version of Charlie would be nice!!!! (We shall see how naughton/walker come along. It would be nice for Eidur to stay but I think with Dzeko, Eidur and Crouch we would need an alternative to Defoe instead of one of them. Thats were I think Eidur will return to Monaco and Robbie will be back.
Out the door: Jenus, Pav, Hutton, O'hara, Dos Santos.
Would like to see a new left back as well, BAE not up to it. Would like to see Leighton Baines from Everton do a swap with Keane they need a striker
Oh and Joe Cole on a free would be nice too lol (Don't ask for much do I?)
I believe that "cracking little player" Dzeko is 6' 4" (lol), would be a nice addition by all accounts! Looks like Cudicini will be the back-up goalie after todays contract revelation. Turan appears to be destined for WHL according to multiple Turkish media sources, who are probably more trustworthy than our own wholly speculative or downright fictitious tabloid trash. Micah Richards would be great cover at FB and CB and Harry could be just the right man to revive his career and unleash his undoubted potential. Joe Cole on a free would be a steal and Harry is already ahead of the game on this one with his media love-in wafting in Joe's direction! The "Nutter with the Putter", aka Craig Bellamy, no thanks, ditto the diminutive dreadlocked Evertonian and Ashley "Half a Season" Young. It wouldn't surprise me if Harry also has some obscure African prospect up his sleeve, like this Diane character plying his trade in the UAE. I expect the departure train to include, Robbie Keane, to another team of boyhead idols, no doubt (lol), Alan (" I love my dad really!") Hutton, Jamie "Mr Spurs ... unless it interfere's with my Cup Final plans" O'Hara, Giovani Dos Santos, Jermaine ("but not germane!") Jenas, to another top 4 aspirant like Villa, seduced by his apparent potential as opposed to his actual performance. Riding in the guard's van on the valediction express, possibly Mr Pavlyuchenko departing back to the steppes of the motherland. So, there you have it. Hopefully 4 top quality signings at FB/CB (Richards), LM/LW (Turan), MF/IF (Joe Cole) and CF (Dzeko) to give even greater strength to an already impressive squad and 5 departures.
Spooky gets it right, as usual. We probably need 2-3 in but also need to maintain stability at the club - look how it profited us this season.
A couple of year's back Micah Richards looked like a true world beater and there's no way we would have been able to sign him. Since then, he's lost his way, but if we can secure his signature for a "reasonable" amount (ie. somewhat less than the ludicrous reported £9m we paid for Hutton) and Harry can work his revivifying magic on him, he could be an awesome signing. Two big ifs, I know.
Everyone's raving about Edin D, perhaps rightly, but he was very ordinary in the two games against Fulham in the Europa League and his body language in those games was poor. Identifying - and being able to afford - that "next level" striker who really will deliver is the hardest task facing the club, and I don't envy Harry and Levy the job. I would hate to think Berbatov will be the solution.
Which brings me on to...
It's the Modric situation that's keeping me awake at night: I don't care if we sign Da Silva, Cole and Turan, we MUST hold on to Modders. He even managed a goal (and what a goal) on the final day!
Would take James on a free as cover even though Cuda has signed a 1 year deal don't know how strong he will be and on a free he has to be worth a 2 year deal (James).Sandro well it could be a bit like Pava ,he is still playing so will need a good break be4 coming to us so another midfielder would be the swingers and 2 new strikers Dzeko and Bellamy would be the part with Keane and Pav moving on with Turan coming ?? what a squad we will have but the CM is a worry with King being the way he is if Dawson gets a bad one we could be a little weak even though we have a couple of others who can fit in there i would like Woody moved on and a fit replacement brought in.We had a amazing season but a run in the CL will be a real test and to try and nab 3rd or better which with a bit more effort i feel we can do means we need to bring in about 4 quality players two being strikers .
Can see Bentley going and Turan coming in. Charlie is too slow would prefer Richards at right back.
In Richards, Baines, Turan and Dzeko.
Out O Hara, Jenas, Bentley, Pav, Hutton, Gio and Keane.
Would like Huntelaar as well up front with Dzeko but perhaps asking too much
OK Mat 880088, 4 in; 5 out ;-)
Hold up, you mean Dzeko isn't a hobbit? Not interested then.
Ramses , how do you know about Lukaku ? :-)
Dzeko was very strong last season , a bit less this season but that goes for the whole squad of Wolfsburg , his brother in arms grafite (55 goals in about 80 games at wolfsburg depending on the diff stat sites) would be a good addition too ...
Someone you guys will not know but a very promising player is twente's Bryan Ruiz ... but still has to prove himself in one of the stronger leagues
For me it is about having excellent cover, for all positions, this forthcoming season, which may mean Spurs having to play up to 65 games. So players are required in various positions. At RB, Micah Richards, CB, Simon Kjaer, LB, Leighton Baines, RW, (now for some wishful thinking!!) David Silva, DM, Sandro, Miguel Veloso, AM, Mikel Arteta, LW, Arda Turan, ST, Edin Dzeko & Moussa Dembele. That's a lot of players coming in , but quite a few on the way out, such as Hutton, Woodgate, Dervitte, Bentley, Jenas, O'Hara, Taarabt, Dos Santos, Pav and Keane.. On present form all the new additions are better players than those exiting.
Agree with all your choices Ed and the team would be awesome in a year but would be a little afraid of rocking the boat with so many changes. Ah what the hell make the changes now and be done with it. That squad could win the league in 2 years
Belgian Spur. I've watched a few Wolfsburg matches recently and have seen Dzeko and Grafite play. If you saw the Fulham Wolfsburg matches and had no idea who anyone was, you'd have guessed that Zamora was the one most likely to be £30m plus. Dzeko was ok, and I can actually see him getting better with some coaching - he seems to play as a deep lying striker, with Grafite as the point man. Put it this way, I'd easily take Dzeko over Bob Keane now, however £30m+ for him is ludicrous.
As for Grafite. Buying him would be akin to pissing your wages up a wall. He looked absolutely appalling against the mighty Fulham - and whenver I've seen him, he's squandered chances that even Barren Dent couldn't miss with hjis lucky knee.
Barren Dent.
Love it.
There is a lot of work required. It's great King has signed a new contract but as mentioned, Woodgate might not be back and we still need the RB position to be sorted (Kaboul is not the answer if Corluka is unavailable). Just need to tighten up in places. And add those 'upper level' stars to the side. With money/finances being the way they are I can't see us spending stupid but can see us making a few bob on outgoing deadwood.
Lol , i did see quite a few Wolfsburg games over the last two seasons and Grafite is a real goalgetter but he was indeed appalling against fulham. They are having a pretty bad season and confidencewise both of them are suffering , we all know what confidence does to a player , especially a striker ...
Darren Bent : good one ... :-)
We are not going to be buying a CB....unless maybe if Woodgate retires and Harry has said as much (accepting that he isn't the most reliable source!). Even then we have excellent options in King, Dawson, Bassong and Kaboul plus Corluka and Huddlestone who can both do a decent job if we suffer an injury crisis. There isn't a side in the EPL that has as much strength in depth as us at CB. How many more CBs do we have to buy before people stop saying we still need another! That is of course unless you are suggesting that the aforementioned arent good enough either to start or as cover...
Our first priority should be improving our options up front as our profligacy there almost cost us 4th and won't see us progress. I'd be happy if we blew all our budget on a star forward or two and stayed as we are elsewhere as that's what i think we most need. Some of us may not rate players like hutton, jenas, o'hara, keane and bentley but most teams would love to have reserves/deadwood like these...
I love all the excitement the new season promises. We do need quality recruits, but not too many to rock the synergy we have.
We probably only need cover for RB, CD, a good centre forward or striker and good back-up for Gomes. Why not consider those less prominent or an unexpected source?
My suggestions:-
1. Promote one or two quality and promising talent from the youth squad. Rose, Bostock, Peckhart (if he's still around), Livermore, Mason or anyone else. Let them learn by mingling with the seniors.
2. Scout the other leagues like Norway, Sweden, Holland for promising talent. Preferably someone who has Champions League experience.
3. The youth squads of the big teams, like Real, Barcelona, Inter etc. or even the U21 squads. I remember one or two promising ones from last year's UEFA U21 Championships.
Point is, with the CL football we are offering, no one is going to sell us proven players cheap. So we take a risky punt on "proven" talent only to waste our resources. Why not consider alternative sources?
Just putting it out there. Critique is welcome.
BALLOTELLI!!! PPLEEEEEAAAAASEEE!!! He is immense. Will clearly go to city though as Mancini speak di lingo and they ahve unlimited money to tempt the flash git with.
Or we could just buy this bloke from Paraguay:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/2340/
Teek a boo son
This is gonna be really controvesial, but here goes;
Could anyone out there forgive Berbatov for the way in which he left the club, if it meant a return to the 50+ goals a year partnership with Robbie Keane?
Although I was as furious as anyone during the soap opera that was Berba's signing for Man Utd on deadline day, my mind keeps drifting back to those goals that he scored (remember the volley against 'boro or the half a pitch run and finish against Charlton?) and I can't help but think of what that partnership would produce now we have Modric, Bale and Lennon in the best form of their careers!
I know there will be people out there would will cry "he's lazy, he goes missing". I agree, but he could get away with it because Keane would do all his running for him. There are those who will cite the manner in which he left, but can you blame him when a team like Man Utd comes knocking?
At the end of the day, Berbatov and Keane both have the experience of playing for the teams at the top level. Berbatov is gonna be available for around 12-15m, with very little bedding in. If we were to pull off a massive coup and sign the likes of Dzeko (30-40m??) or Hunterlaar (10-15m??), we then run the risk of putting our top 4 and CL hopes in the hands of 1 or strikers wh have no experience of the Prem and may take longer to settle (remember it took Berba a good 6 months before we started to see the best of him).
Just a thought. I'm not married to it, but would it really be that bad to see a Berba and Keane renaissance at the Lane, afterall, this would be Berba's last 'big' move, and he wasn't working with Harry before!!!
It wouldn't surprise me if we don't buy anyone.
Think the senior players on loan have got buyers, it's just a case of whether our valuation is met.
Don't think we'll sell Bentley (why would we?) or Jenas (Redknapp hasn't come to our conclusion yet).
We've got two good players for every position.
Would only buy a CB if Woody retires.
I think Harry will only buy if he gets a sniff of someone really good, and money comes in from our loanees.
Don't forget our players are young enough to get better with last season's experience.
Do Croatians and Bosnians get on?
I wouldn't like Berba back at the lane, he's already making his feelings felt about staying at Man Utd and his heart wouldn't be in it at all. And we all know how he plays when his heart isn't in it. It would be akin to Keane's return from Liverpool I reckon. No thanks.
Huntelaar was good in the Dutch league, he just hasn't performed at all since. Hype, hype and more hype.
Take a look at this list of top euro strikers from this season, who could we realistically bid for that would fit into Spurs?
http://eurorivals.net/top-scorers.html
"It’s not beyond the realms of possibility, but his wage demands might be (I guess, with 4th spot claimed, does Levy review the wage structure at the club?). "
Exactly Sppoky. Without a change in the wages structure, Dzeko et al will not be coming. Might be able to pick-up a good free like Joe Cole (although he has said he would never play for us due to Spammer mates) where the transfer fee could translate into a 4 year wages deal.
Not expecting great signings myself.
I like Bellamy. He's a wrongun but I'd love to see him at WHL.
Please NO BERBS. you can't go home again lads
Let him come back the sulky one , have not seen a player with his kind of silky touch since ... but most of you are probably right , his heart wouldn't be in it ...
Fox , while i agree on the skill of Balotelli , he really is a massive lazy c*nt , the boy has problems with Mourinho of all people ... Jose is a prick but rarely gets in to trouble with his own players ... He got chance after chance and messed them up. He really is lazy mate , he is young so you could argue that he'd learn to adapt but if you pose with a Ac Milan jersey as an Inter player ... That's like defoe being spotted having lunch with Arse himself while wearing a Van Persie signed shirt ...
i do realise the irony in defending Berbatov who is essentially a very skilled but lazy player and personality issuess
Dzeko - yeah he can head it and score goals in the bundesliga, but he would be found out to be very 1 dimensional in the PL. There are no big teams after him, its all agent talk, if anyone was gonna come in the would have done it after last season. If you rate him as worth 30 mil then Bent is worth 40 mil. And Grafite is way to old and fat. Huntelaar the same as Dzeko - yeah he can score goals against slow ass CBs where chance after chance is on a plate (btw, watch a few weeks of bundesliga highlights and tell me the goalies arent all paid to let in funny goals), but in the PL you realy have to make your own chances. Pure finishers don't get anywhere. Remember Morientes? One of the best finishers ever, but looked garbage in the PL. My personal guess is Dzeko will end up at Bayern when Olic moves to the PL
Bellamy has had his day. I am/was a big fan of his but hes 31 and isn't getting any better. Plus he's not really a heavy goalscorer. I am a huge fan of both Pandev and Vucinic, and even tho Pandev recently went to Inter, I don't think he's done moving around yet. I think if we signed 1 'marquee' striker, another would come too, excited by the prospect of striker 1. At the end of the season I said we should wait till Real sign Tevez, do 25 mil on Higuain, then while everyone is still moist from that snap up Vucinic for a quick 15-20 mil. Pav and Keane will generate around 20 mil in revenue, so really only 1 player needs to be paid for. And we definately will need 2 strikers. Crouch is a role player, a top class back up who will still get 20 starts whilst not actually being a starter. We need 2 more to put a fire under defoe and get him going again. Vucinic and Higuain would be a great partnership as well I think.
I have been a fan of Niang for a few years but he's getting on a bit now. Forlan is another one who I think is an outside bet. And the little Ivorian Seydou looks like a hot prospect, and he has proper pace too. Hope he doesnt make an impact in South Africa or he will be out of our reach. He's prob the sort of player who we should be going for - someone who is hungry, and yet to prove themselves, rahter than some big shot who thinks we owe him something.
I agree. I wouldnt say no to a Top LB too. I know BAE much improved but would like him as back up and Bale LM only Pleeeeze.
Like the Leighton Baines for Keane trade; could also go for Jagielka or Bolton's Cahill for Keane. And mind you that I still appreciate Keane, but I think it's over with Spurs. Every team seems to be after Kjaer on Palermo so probably won't happen for us.
Joe Cole? Why? On a bosman for depth?
Dzeko and Crouch on the pitch at the same time doesn't quite seem complimentary.
I think we need someone who can dribble, pass, and finish up front. Maybe a South American type player.
How do you know if your little sister has started her period?
You can taste it on your dad's cock.
Thanks for sharing. Speaking from experience, right?
Way I figure for next season, these guys are 'sure things'
Keeper: Gomes, Cudicini (2)
Defenders: Dawson, Bassong, King, Woodgate, Kaboul, Corluka, Assou-Ekketto (7)
Midfilders: Bale, Lennon, Modric, Palacios, Huddlestone, Krancjar, Sandro (7)
Strikers: Defoe, Crouch (2)
Defense: Woodgate the question mark in defence, we could add another there but entirely down to his recovery. I'd bet we don't add anyone (unless he's for sure done) with Woodgate getting every chance to show he can do it. If Woodgate breaks down, January move for some depth likely.
Midfield: With Bale making LM his, and Modric moving inside, I think CM is well covered with Modders, Hudd, Palacios, Sandro (especially with Krancjar be able to play there as well). Lennon and Bale offer width but I think we could use another winger. We can't expect both to play every game. Bale is cover for LB and Lennon is fragile. Plenty of depth except pace and natural winger so I'd like to see us go for Ashley Young. His set pieces and corners wouldn't go missing either.
Striker: Defoe and Crouch are good but limited. I rate Pav but not sure Harry does and he is too inconsistent. I figure Keane goes. Whether Pav goes is conditional on his price being met and/or we land our "Torres". I see us being frustrated on that front. Most likely, we see Keane exit and Bellamy come in. Gudjohnson a possibility if Pav price is matched and we don't get the world class striker we need. Despite our talent up front, this is my biggest area of worry.
I think O'Hara, Hutton, Keane, Tarrabt, Gio Dos Santos will all be sold or their loan deals made permanent, this will raise about 30-35mm. No one meets our price for Pav, Jenas, Bentley.
I hope we make a serious run at Ashley Young (for 15-20mm) that is successful and end up with Bellamy as well for a cut rate 6mm. I would not be surprised to see a top quality back-up keeper brought in either. Mark Schwarzer (1mm) at 38yrs old might like the sound of a back-up role for a CL team w. Fulham not in Europe. If we end up with Bellamy, Young and Schwartzer for ~25mm, it'd be a decent summer. I expect us to loan out Jenas to raise his value. If in addition, we find our Torres and swap him for Pav, I'll be glowing.
Therefore (I think):
GK: Gomes, Shwartzer, Cudicini (3)
CD: King, Dawson, Bassong, Woodgate (4)
RB: Kaboul, Corluka (2)
LB: Benoit Assou Ekketto, (Bale) (1)
CM: Huddlestone, Modric, Palacios, Sandro (4)
RM: Lennon, Krancjar, Bentley (3)
LM: Bale, Ashley Young (2)
S: Defoe, Crouch, Bellamy, Pavelchenko (maybe Gudjohnson) (4)
Sold: O'Hara, Gio Dos Santos, Tarrabt, Keane, Hutton (33mm) maybe Pav (16mm more)
Bought: Ashley Young, Bellamy, Schwarzer (33mm), maybe Gudjohnson (1mm more)
Loan: Jenas, Naughton, Walker, Bostock, Livermore, Rose.
Anyway, that's my thoughts and I think that team has plenty of depth to cope with the extra fixtures although it'd look much better swapping Pav for an all around threat....if Berbatov wasn't such a cnt on the way out, I'd could stomach it but there is no coming back. The guy has to come from Europe.
at Foccussed on Singapore... I think this year demonstrated more than any other that loaning the players out is better than the odd game mixed in with the seniors. It raises their value if they don't fit into our long term plans and gives them valuable first team experience. So I disagree with keeping young guys around that won't feature regularly.
I don't know why you feel a need for RB cover. We've got 4. Kaboul, Corluka, Walker, Naughton.
I agree CD only if Woodgate is done and only a 4th choice needed. Dawson, Bassong, King plenty good enough.
I think you seriously short change the quality we do have in the squad. If we can find an upgrade over what we have via lesser leagues fine but I don't think its a high liklihood. I think we're much better than you think.
I disagree completely that with CL football no one is going to sell us proven players cheap. Actually, I think there are players at non-CL teams that would be quite happy to come to Spurs where they would be less keen years ago. We should take advantage (carefully) but if we have the opportunity to demonstrably improve the squad ei. a world class striker, we should make the effort to do that. We have a great young core of players.
Bollocks to Berbatov. Unprofessional, sulky, selfish. He's made his bed, and has decided he'd rather warm benches in Manchester. He was criticised recently by the Bulgarian press for his performances in internationals. His response? I quit. Fuck him.
Another name that keeps being touted is Benayoun, which doesn't really get the juices flowing either.
Bellamy and Richards - I have a feeling there is too much bad blood after the Palacios accusations for City to sell us anyone at all, and it's not like they need the money either.
I'll be watching developments with interest. Harry has said before not to expect too many signings, but that has always turned out to be bollocks.
I think Berbatov is in decline. Haven't seen evidence this season to prove otherwise. Wouldn't be worth what we'd spend to bring him back.
What about Cesc? Sounds like hes up for a change!