Which Player Was Tottenham’s Best Signing Last Season?

Which player was Tottenham’s best signing last season. There are seven candidates to choose from and all in some way contributed to Spurs’ season. The list of summer signings in 2012 is: Jan Vertonghen, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mousa Dembele, Hugo Lloris and Clint Dempsey. Lewis Holtby is included in the group having signed in January, 2013.

Hugo Lloris [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]HotspurHQ’s assessment of last season’s signings was tweeted in a discussion which arose at the beginning of June from an article I’d written on Six Improvement in the Team for next season.

Jan Vertonghen [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Jan Vertonghen  signed from Ajax having captained the team as it retained the Dutch title. He had also won the Dutch Player of the Year award and as a footballing central defender, he was the ideal replacement for the retiring Ledley King. Vertonghen  has shown his worth in central defence, at left back, moving forward into midfield and with goals in crucial matches.

Gylfi Sigurdsson [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Gylfi Sigurdsson  signed from Hoffenheim having impressed in a loan period with Swansea where he scored numerous goals from central midfield. It took him time to adjust to playing for Spurs where he was being asked to fulfill a different role. Sigurdsson  worked hard and towards the end of the season provided some important goals as the team battled for fourth.

Mousa Dembele [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Mousa Dembele  joined from Fulham in mid-August and quickly established himself as a pivotal link in central midfield where he developed an excellent understanding with Sandro. Spurs missed him when he was absent through injury and the injury to Sandro in January deprived the team of a very effective and influential partnership. Dembele  scored on his debut and provided a crucial goal in Lyon in the Europa League.

Emmanuel Adebayor [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Emmanuel Adebayor  was signed on a permanent contract after his season on loan from Manchester City. He was hindered by injury and lack of pre-season training which meant he failed to produce his form of the previous year. It was only late in the season that Adebayor  became more effective in the team and scored some vital goals.

Hugo Lloris was signed from Lyon at the end of August. He is the captain of France but initially Brad Friedel retained his place in the team. On taking over Lloris showed his international class. A great goalkeeper and one who can with time rank alongside the former Tottenham ‘greats’ like Pat Jennings, Ted Ditchburn and Ray Clemence.

Clint Dempsey [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Clint Dempsey was a surprise signing from Fulham on the last day of the August transfer window. He had an excellent season for Fulham scoring regularly but in a different role with Spurs he took time to develop into it. Dempsey  but proved effective and contributed important goals against Manchester United, twice, in Basel, against Reading and Stoke. He had the knack of being in the right place at the right time.

Lewis Holtby [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Lewis Holtby signed in January after initially agreeing to sign this summer. The injury to Sandro may have hastened the completion of the deal from Schalke 04. Holtby is the German Under-21 captain and he brought an enthusiasm and vitality to midfield with his non-stop running. Like the other midfield signings it has taken him time to adapt to the Spurs style of play and to playing in different positions. The best of Holtby  will be seen in the future.

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