Over recent years, Spurs have made some successful signings who have been big hits at the club. Some players hit the ground running, whilst others have taken time, before developing into global superstars. Daniel Levy is both loved and hated by the fans, but he has made some great signings over the years.
The best Daniel Levy signings
Gareth Bale
The Real Madrid superstar has undergone a considerable transformation. He arrived at Tottenham at the age of 17 years old, failed to impress in the early stages of his career and at one stage was considered to be swapped for Stewart Downing. Eventually, he rocketed to success, including a Champions League hat-trick against Inter Milan. In his final two seasons, Bale had become a formidable Premier League goal-scoring menace. From anywhere within 35 yards, by free-kick or in open play, he could score goals.
This was arguably one of the best transfer successes for the club in terms of his performance, but particularly due to the fact that he was sold for £85 million. Such money has since been spent on the likes of Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela, both still at the club. His departure was lamented by fans the finance from his transfer has been supporting future expenses and potentially even funding part of the new stadium project.
Rafael Van der Vaart
Yet another link with Real Madrid, it is probably the only favour they had given Spurs before the now defunct ‘special partnership’. The deadline-day signing of Rafael Van der Vaart was an exhilarating moment. His transfer certainly lived up to the hype, with derby goals against Arsenal as well as important Champions League goals. A brilliant attacking midfielder, he could unlock any defence with passes and dribbles and had a good eye for goal too.
At just £8m, he was a quality signing and a great bit of business by Levy and Harry Redknapp. Again, he was a fan-favourite and has since expressed his regret at leaving the club. He often expresses his love for the club on social media, but his real value was on the pitch, with his ability send the White Hart Lane crowd into rapture.
Hugo Lloris
Another deadline day signing was Hugo Lloris, from Olympique Lyonnais. At first, he struggled to forge his name on the starting eleven. His performances were complacent and weak, which meant that Brad Friedel took the upper hand in terms of competition. However, he soon found his form, making expert saves.
He has since become one of Tottenham’s best ever goalkeepers. This is due to his reliability, his shot stopping, but also his sweeper-keeper ability. In the modern game, this attribute was one that the Spurs defence had been missing.
Now Lloris is captain of club and country and has again won the attentions of the Spurs faithful. He has recently committed his future to the club and strives to lead it to success. Since his arrival, his goalkeeping ability has tremendously improved the club’s chances of glory.
Jermain Defoe
Twice did Jermain Defoe arrive at the club, for he originally transferred from West Ham United. Playing 139 league matches and scoring 43 goals for Spurs, he then decided to leave to Portsmouth.
This was at the time where the club had a great panoply of strikers such as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. Slowly they were pushing him out of the club, but he came back the following season to rekindle his connection with Tottenham. He fired himself to fifth in the club’s all-time goalscorers tally before again departing, this time to Toronto.
This was a very successful transfer in terms of pounds to goals. Defoe was a goal scoring machine at the club, often upheld for his natural finishing instinct. With both feet he could slam the ball home, making up for his lack of presence in the air.
Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham, like Defoe, had two stints at the club. He made his fame with the first stint, scoring 76 in 166 top flight matches. This was before his striking ability attracted Manchester United. He was renowned for his aerial ability, his physical strength, but also his awareness and ability to play as a second striker.
His first transfer to the club was very important, at a time when Spurs struggled. In the 1993-94 season, his injury meant that despite scoring 14 goals in 19 matches, the team finished 15th, barely avoiding relegation. They relied on his goalscoring that much.
His second stint was during his twilight years at the age of 35, but he still managed 22 goals in 70 appearances, a fine record. He has since secured a place in the Tottenham hall of fame.
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