Given the rumors that have been flowing out of England and Spain all summer long, and given the fact it would appear that Tottenham’s heavy purchases in the transfer window are being made with money they expect to receive in a sale… so let’s just assume Gareth Bale has jettisoned off for somewhere more exotic, shall we? Moving on…
An already busy summer transfer period was made busier on the heels of the recent transfers of Erik Lamela from Roma and Vlad Chiriches from Steaua Bucharest to White Hart Lane. With further rumours including Fabio Coentrao, Christian Eriksen, Hernanes and even Juan Mata, there has been some fantastic business from Daniel Levy, Franco Baldini, and Andre Villas-Boas which has left Spurs a new-look club heading into this weekend’s North London derby with Arsenal. Tottenham’s squad is looking as strong as ever, even without Bale.
Lamela provides a young creative starlet who could be slotted into Bale’s old position as the Lily Whites’ new “Lord of the Wing”. He can provide goals cutting in from the flank, or could be used to provide creativity and playmaking to set up Spurs’ new finisher Roberto Soldado.
Lamela will bring flair to the club, which is always welcome when done in the right situation. This is a good young player who can really brighten up the Tottenham ranks with his ability. Learning from more experienced players, from the great coaching staff and the facilities at Hotspur way, he certainly can improve his game.
Chiriches provides Tottenham with a versatile defender to add much needed depth at centre back. The 23-year-old can also play at full back and midfield giving Villas-Boas options as he sets his squad all season long. He has greatly improved over the last several years, and should provide Spurs with the speed and power that they like in the back line.
It would appear that Tottenham continues to search for a left back. Should Spurs usher in the arrival of Fabio Coentrao or perhaps another left back, it would likely lead to a sale of Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who has grown out of favour with AVB.
The rumours of Eriksen and Hernandes, along with the failed attempt to land Willian, also seem to indicate that Spurs are looking for a creative player in central midfield. Considering the addtion of Lamela a further addition could lead to further outgoings from the midfield. Perhaps Andros Townsend does not have a place in the team? Though, I suppose with Bale leaving it has given Townsend a chance to become more important as a winger as well.
A summer of signings, which has also included Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, and Etienne Capuoe, have been fantastic for the club, as we don’t only have a good starting eleven, but a fantastic squad overall! There are a good balance of experienced, seasoned players and young, fast-footed players. If the club is able to add the left back and central playmaker they seem to be after it would mean that AVB would have two quality options at nearly every position, giving the team the depth needed to contend over a long season.
This is a squad capable of great things, and qualification for the Champions League seems like just the first step for Spurs with the names we now own. We should aim to get third, so that we get Champions League for certain, without a qualifier that Arsenal had to go through, and maybe, just maybe we could sneak up even higher than that! But there are some very tough teams in the top four, don’t get me wrong.
Will Bale leave a massive hole in the team? Interestingly, no, I don’t think it does given how the team has spent to improve the roster. When Bale was present, the Tottenham game was almost dictated by his magic left foot – with one, so went the other. It didn’t require surging through tight spaces in midfield by that of Moussa Dembele or Paulinho, it just went to Bale, whether he was on the left, right or centre of the pitch. Maybe we will see better from our other players, who will undoubtedly step up in Bale’s absence to power Spurs on to glory. Young players may get a better chance of getting on, as to shunt a world class ~£90 million player from the starting XI, is nearing damn impossible! As a club we will play better football without Bale, but maybe we will miss his true class and uncanny ability to score from long range in a time that some call the end game.
Gareth is on his way out, but look at what his price tag has bought us; it has brought us strength in numbers capable of lasting many years to come. And with Tottenham’s penchant for last minute signings, they may not be done. There could be even more additions before the window closes. For Totenham, at the helm of Andre Villas Boas, backed by Levy and Franco Baldini, the future is bright – the future is most certainly Lily-white.
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