Spurs could regret the summer spending spree

Tottenham Hotspurs has been very busy this summer strengthening their squad with new players. And the impending departure of star player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid has been perceived as a huge setback at White Hart Lane.

Saturday, August 31, 2013
Dr Joseph Kamugisha

Tottenham Hotspurs has been very busy this summer strengthening their squad with new players. And the impending departure of star player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid has been perceived as a huge setback at White Hart Lane.Bale is on the verge of joining Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of 100 million Euros making him the most expensive player on the planet. However, manager Andreas Villas Boas seem not to be doing the right business to replace the Welshman.Though Spurs have signed good players in striker Roberto Soldado, winger Nacer Chadli, midfielder Paulinho, Erik Lamela among others, they still need a high profile player, who will make an immediate impact.The London side needs to sign a high profile creative midfielder, who will set-up goals for the forwards. We saw last season that Bale won many games almost single handedly. He was very imaginative and with immense power and pace. Argentine Lamela signed from As Roma for 30 million Euros is a good player but not the right man for immediate impact. White Hartlane needs a player who can make an immediate impact in performance at the club to erase memories of their departing star performer, Bale.Real Madrid attacking midfielder Angelo Di Maria has been valued at 30 million Euros, and Tottenham should make a move for him with the money that Real Madrid are willing to offer or propose that the Argentina international be a make-weight in the Bale deal.Di Maria is not very far from Bale, the Argentine winger has good pace, dribbling skills and drops balls so quickly in the penalty area. He is the right man to link up with Aaron Lennon at the wings and with combination of Paulinho; Dembele could make Spurs tough customers for any opposition.However, it is also very difficult to anticipate Di Maria involvement because of the Bale deal. But the fact is that AVB has not signed a better player than Di Maria.To finish in top four and qualify for the Champions League is going be very competitive in England. Spurs need to replicate their last season’s form or do even a lot better if they are to have chance.Tottenham has been very busy in transfer market and have funds to strengthen their squad, however, having the money and signing the right players are two different things.I’m sure AVB will regret if his pocket dries up without any trophy by end of the season. They have had good signings but need players who can make immediate impact.Big summer signings does not guarantee trophy as money does not buy success especially in the world football. Fans might be backing their clubs to sign players, but a look back through Premier League history typically reveals a pattern of delayed success after big summer spending. Manchester city and Chelsea serve as an example to all clubs. Though they have achieved a lot in recent years, they had to wait patiently for their new signings to acclimatize. For example after spending a hefty £153million in the 2003/04 season, Chelsea went on to finish second in the league and a year later they bettered this achievement and famously won their first Premier League title, despite spending the smaller sum of £50million that year.Manchester City’s silverware came in the same scenario after they spent £400million over the course of three years, and they started to win trophies in their fourth year. Two years ago, we saw the City squad that won Premier League had played together.We could see AVB in the similar situation though Spurs’ spending this summer is nowhere near that of Man City and Chelsea.Money spending at White Hartlane is measured, with more money coming in than going out at the club, and the concern for Spurs fans is that AVB  could struggle in the coming seasons if he cannot sell a big cash player.If he finds himself in a position next season where he needs to strengthen the squad, then that could be a concern. He has splashed money as if there is no tomorrow.