Summer Diary:The Truth Will Come Out On Tottenham’s Transfer Plans

The past week has brought mixed fortunes for English sportsmen. Why have Tottenham have signed Nacer Chadli from FC Twente.

Nacer Chadli. [@edgey642]Summer Diary 15

Sat 20 July.

No Benteke

Another striker slips through our fingers. In a surprise about turn, Benteke signs an extension to his contract and commits himself to Aston Villa after all. Well done to Paul Lambert and co.

Just as we are all getting wound up and carried away with the build-up to the new season, something to make us take stock and put it into perspective; the sad news that Barcelona’s coach, Tita Vilanova has had to resign because of the return of throat cancer. It is a timely reminder of how fragile life is and how lucky we all are to be here at all. Let’s treat our rivals with respect this season and make the most of the opportunity we have to enjoy it all.

Sun 22 July. 3pm-4pm.

Golf

It’s like watching the sporting equivalent of a train wreck in slow motion. The anticipated Lee Westwood collapse has started. I just know how this is going to end and I can’t bring myself to watch. He has started to blow his 3 shot lead. It’s like Groundhog Day. Not only has he plonked it right into a steep sided bunker, he then steps up to it, whacks it into the side of the bunker and it ends up back at his feet. He is in an identical position but then hits a fine chip out onto the fairway. The point is, he could and should have done that at the first attempt but he blew it. It’s easy for a talentless observer like me to say but it’s as plain as the nose on your face. That’s the difference between a real champion and a nearly man. He is a really, really good golfer, we so want him to do well but until he can cut it in these situations, he will remain a Tim Henman rather than an Andy Murray.  He was so bullish in his press conference last night but there is something inside that gives in the final stages of a major. He is now back on 1 under with three others. Perhaps if I switch away and watch the Ashes it will change but I can’t see all three of the guys around him passing up the opportunity he has given them.

Cricket

Great to see Jo Root nearly get a double century and then take 2 wickets. Seems like a nice young man, as my old Mum would have said. Looks like a cricketing great in the making. Keep your feet on the ground lad.

5.40pm. Just checked back. Phil Mickelson in the clubhouse at 3 under. Lee Westwood at one over after 16. No problem then, all he needs to do is make 2 successive eagles for a play-off. Yeah right.

Nacer Chadli – Why?

We have signed Nacer Chadli a Belgian international winger who has been sending out “come and get me” signals. I have no problem with that per se but everyone knows that what we really need is a world class striker. Why would we sign a winger unless we knew that we were going to sell a winger that we already have? You know who I am talking about. I have that sinking feeling and am beginning to wonder if a deal has been done somewhere that we will soon find out about. I hope not.

Tue 23 July.

Sky Sports News reports that the Spanish media are saying that Real Madrid have done a 6 year deal for Gareth. He has now missed our last two friendlies with a minor injury but AVB still says he is not for sale in comments reported on the BBC website.

"“He’s a Tottenham player, he’s one of the most fantastic players in the world at the moment and we are counting on him for the future. He’s a player that we are willing to continue to have.”"

One way of the other, the truth will come out soon.