Transfer window reinforces huge gulf between Tottenham and competition
By Gary Pearson
In case you forgot, the current transfer window reinforces the massive gulf between Tottenham and its direct Premier League rivals.
The sky-high ambition of England’s most financially flush clubs, those usually hunting for top-four spots, is irrefutable.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and newcomers on the prestigious block, Newcastle, purchase players they require (or, in Chelsea’s case, have no need for whatsoever), often regardless of cost, to compete for the Premier League title.
I’ll exclude Manchester City for this piece, as they’re not really in direct competition with Spurs on and are on an unparalleled level of their own. Considering how much the others are splashing out to strengthen their squads, they might not be on their own level for long.
Each of those teams ensures they match their rivals’ spending behaviours efficiently and effectively, knowing one poor or inactive transfer window can mean the difference between competing for the title or falling outside of the all-coveted top four.
Tottenham, the ninth-wealthiest club in the world, is the one exception, lagging desperately and infuriatingly behind the leading pack.
Despite earning more yearly revenue than Arsenal and trailing Chelsea marginally, Tottenham, aside from a few higher-price transfers that haven’t panned out particularly well, penny-pinches and settles for cheaper, second-choice options that negatively impact the club’s ability to compete atop the table.
The current transfer window is yet another glaring example of how the club’s transfer policy hamstring the team’s ability to challenge for a top-four spot, let alone an all-elusive Premier League crown.
Aside from not spending the amount required to secure their top choice at each position, Tottenham’s transfer policy has other damaging implications.
Harry Kane will leave for Germany if Bayern Munich ever takes its collective finger out of its crevice where the sun doesn’t shine.
If that outcome occurs, it will be caused by the top brass’ refusal over a long period of time to provide Kane the on-field support in various positions he required to win.
The start of the transfer period saw Spurs purchase their second-choice goalkeeper after refusing to pay £40 million for David Raya.
The Brentford keeper is now probably destined for Arsenal or Chelsea, maybe even Bayern, who are in with an outside chance of securing his services.
Next was James Maddison. And don’t get me wrong, he was a superb signing, a brilliant bit of business. But Spurs were only able to get him at a diminished cost due to Leicester’s relegation.
Manor Solomon, another exceedingly good bit of business, arrived on a free transfer.
Surely, after spending only £57 million on three players, Tottenham has more than enough cash to purchase Edmond Tapsoba, a £50 million centre-back who would significantly improve their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, not just next season but for the foreseeable future.
To underline my point, here’s what the other clubs vying for the top four have done in the transfer window thus far: