So as I'm watching Tottenham play week in, week out. I and possibly every other supporter, have come to our own conclusions about what needs to change for further success next season.
Many blogs I have read have stated that for the club to grow and progress we need to splash the cash on a world class striker..
For me personally this is not the Tottenham way. Yes we need a "world class" striker, but doesnt everyone?
Tottenham over the years have made some transfer deals that have been damn right crazy. A couple of example's are Edgar Davids ( who was far too old and purely bought as a publicity gainer rather than his actual potential to help Totteham's cause) and Robbie Keane ( when we sold him to Liverpool he had peaked his player cell by date and after returning he is no where near the shadow of a player he once was for us)
This leads me on to the section where I moan a little more and then that should be all.
Harry Redknapp's January transfer window deals this season were disappointing to me at first with two players which only seemed to add to the squad number rather than contribute to improving the quality of football at the club. Except Steven Pienaar, who from watching him at Everton, is a player who's abilities are above average and can on his day fly down the wings with intricate skill. Hints of his potential to be a first choice replacement for Bale (when injured or suspended) has been shown with recent performances and hopefully he will be at his best after a summer to settle in at the club. But is he Champions league quality?
This was the question on the lips on many fans for every signing or rumoured target of Tottenham since they finished fourth last year.
This question should not have been our key priority in the transfer window. At least not for another few years when, whether it be Harry or a new manager, has finally built a squad full of potential and talent, with each individual contributing to the team in a unique way.
Our main priority should ALWAYS be the Barclays Premier League. Tottenham need to play every single game as if the opponants are major rivals like Arsenal. The players that are sent out wearing the mighty cockeral on their chest need to play with passion and a belief that this year, is our year.
Tottenham's squad is already packed full to the brim with talent but there are still a few weak links and a few players that I believe should not be playing for the pride of north london and filling up our 24 man squad number.
Jonathan Woodgate. A player who when fit is a solid and reliable defender. But when he is injured for more than a year between every game he plays, he has to be gotten rid of!
Robbie Keane. Once a Tottenham legend with countless displays of sublime goal scoring skill and a fan favourite with his infamous celebration. However with a loss in form and his age now beggining to show he was sold off to Liverpool where his time of even worse performances was cut short as he returned back. I honestly dont think any club will want to sign him other than possibly the new guys of the Premiership (fingers crossed)
Alan Hutton. This guy has been a constant benchwarmer since his arrival at the club with only a handful of good performances. If we can sell him this summer then maybe we can get around 4 to 5 million for him instead of maybe 2 or 3 in a years time.
David Bentley. As much as I think this guy still has the potential to become an England regular, he does not get enough gametime at Tottenham and would possibly benefit from moving elsewhere. I would prefer it if we could trade him as part of a deal instead of sell.
Now there are three players that I believe we should get rid of purely due to the fact that when I watch Tottenham, I want to be watching players that care about the club and want to help the club progress. I'm tired of reading in the paper of these three players wanting to leave the club and it really does show in their match performances.
Wilson Palacios. Only real use to the squad was back up for Huddlestone but after Sandro's recent performances and his lack of enthusiasm on and off the pitch his time is well and truly up.
Niko Kranjcar. Although a sublime talent and a member of the squad that I believe can change the course of a game with his slick skills and cheeky goals. Niko has expressed since the beginning of the season that he wants out and has only recently over the past few months been given gametime. It would be sad to see this player leave but if he leaves as part of a trade deal to bring in another top player or two then so be it.
Roman Pavlyuchenko. This guy is my personal favourite striker that Tottenham currently posses but I was also growing incredibly tired with hos constant moaning. I really don't want this guy to leave and would rather see Crouch or Defoe sold off, but with a need to shorten the quad number down to allow fresh faces he may just have to pack his bags and set off..
Now I know that Harry has said that he doesnt believe that players have to leave this summer but in order for us to progress I think we HAVE to get rid of at least Woodgate, Keane and Palacios due to only having a 24 man squad limit.
Harry has been very confusing about his transfer plans this season. Constantly changing his mind on what position needs improvement the most and who our top target needs to be. In one report I read he stated that we will not be signing anyone as the team is great the way it is.
So I have come up with a list of players that are a possibility for Tottenham to sign (not players like Messi and Torres who are worth 50 million or so)
Firstly due to the horrendous blunders of our current number one our target this summer should be a goalkeeper that can offer stiff competition between the posts and maybe even move Gomes into a bench warmer.
David De Gea. This young keeper is possibly the hottest keeper in Europe if not the world right now with Manchester United being the team that want him the most. Maybe with a tempting £10million offer and the chance for the young guy to live the London lifestyle might sway in our favour.
Ben Foster. With Birmingham possibly relegated, Englands second keeper would be a great buy for Tottenham and at a reasonably cheap price.
The second place in the Tottenham squad that needs sorting out is the right back position. Corluka is a good defender but is not always reliable and Walker who is possibly the right man for the job in a few years time after he gains some experiance. However I would feel more assured and I'm sure many fans will as well if we had a player to fit into that slot at this moment in time.
Glen Johnson. England's current right back is almost always dependable and can also play well in the attacking style of football that Tottenham love to play. If Tottenham defeat Birmingham on the final day of the season this weekend, then maybe the thought of playing in Europe might sway him away from Liverpool.
Johnson may not leave Liverpool so the next guy I would choose is Gonzalo Castro.
This German International is able to defend against the world's best and has proven on many occasions to be a fantastic prospect for the future. If Tottenham sign him it will allow Lennon to burst forward more knowing that Castro is behind him and ready to stop any counter attack that may occur.
Now there is the season long striker debate. Rumours of players like Rossi, Hulk, Berbatov and Adebayor all targets for this "Champions League" striker we are so desperate for.
There are three players which I think would help us in Europe and are great talents that wont break the bank.
Romelu Lukaku. In my eyes this player is the best young striker in Europe at this moment in time and he can only get better. Rumoured to have the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal prying to snatch this player up in the summer. I can't think of anything better than to get to this future star first. Or will he just be another Giovanni Dos Santos?
Robert Lewandowski.This player is one that I have been following for the past year and have marveled at his performances for both his club and country. This key striker would be a great asset to the squad giving the frontline a sence of depth and power. However, he has recently been transfered and may not be willing to resettle at a new club.
Eren Derdiyok.
This guy has been improving with every minute he plays on the pitch. He is widely scouted by other teams including Liverpool and Newcastle who I am sure will try and bid for this prospect of a player this summer. For a value of around £10 million or less I believe that Tottenham could just lure this kid into it's ranks.
The final striker I would possibly like to see come to White Hart Lane this summer is one that we know can already perform in the Premier League and CAN score goals.
Peter Odemwingie of West Brom. This guy is underated in my opinion and has proved he has what it takes to play in the toughest league in the world and score goals for fun. Tottenham fans have first hand proof of this when the sides recently met. Although he may not be the "world class" striker we are all praying for, he can score goals week-in-and-week-out in the Premier League and that is EXACTLY what we need!
Now to finish this rather long post off I would like to end on just one more subject that is grinding my gears slightly about Tottenham's summer transfers..
Scott Parker and Ashley Young.
With West Ham relegated I would love to have the Hammers skipper move across London and join our squad. He has been by far the best player West Ham have had since Di Canio. Every week Parker gives his all and is passionate no matter what the team he plays for. He is one of a few rare players left that play the game because he loves to and if he brought that attitude with him to Tottenham and rubbed it off onto a few of our players then us fans are surely in for a treat!
It's now or never really for Ashley Young. Tottenham have been rumoured to sign this lad for years and it's starting to get tiresome and feel like old news. Young shows alot of promise and can create as well as finish chances countless times every game he plays. How he will fit into our team I'm not sure with both Lennon and Bale as our starting wingers and with the likes of Pienaar and Bentley as back up already it may be tough for him to settle in. But if this player is going to come to Tottenham then this summer is when the move will commence.
So the question I think Harry should be asking himself is.. Do we try and raise the standards of play and introduce a few players to improve our Premier League perfomances? Or do we bring in a "world class" striker and sell off the useless players that wont help our progress in europe?
Only time will tell what Harry decides...
