I read last week that Harry has called for the club to be bold this summer in their transfer dealings, which got the inner manager in me thinking – How would I change the squad? So here are my thoughts on the Tottenham squad starting from the back working my way forward.
Goalkeepers
Current Players
Brad Friedel
Carlo Cudicini
Heurelho Gomes
Ben Alnwick
To be honest I don’t know why I included Ben Alnwick, can someone explain to me why we ever signed a player who’s most notable appearance was in a sex tape? Sell him for whatever we can get; I’d take a Zat Knight esque exchange of player for tracksuits. One of the highlights of the season has been seeing Gomes sat on the bench, last season he was at fault for far too many goals, with his contract running out in the summer we’ll bid him a fond farewell. That leaves Friedel and Cudicini, with a combined age of one Judi Dench, their best years are behind them. With two safe pairs of hands at the club, I feel it’s a perfect time to sign a new ‘keeper in the summer, with the comfort that you can ease them in gently if required.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £0m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Tim Krul, Michel Vorm, Hugo Lloris
Defence
Right Back
Current Players
Kyle Walker
Vedran Corluka
Kyle Naughton
We currently have the PFA Young Player of the year at Right back, and what a player he’s going to be, he’ll hopefully usurp Stephen Carr in my Favourite Spurs XI and be a constant fixture in our side for years to come. So that leaves one place for a player who wants to play second fiddle. As we’ve seen, ‘Charlie’ wasn’t content and I would envisage him making a permanent move away from the Lane in the summer, which by default leaves Naughton. As far as back-up full-backs go I don’t think that’s too bad.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £40k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Left Back
Current Players
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Danny Rose
‘Benny’ is a man who divides opinion, some people love him, and some people, well, don’t. I’m a fan, he’s ultra consistent and his distribution from deep is one of the best in the league. If he irons out some of his erratic clearances then he’d improve further, he's a keeper. Danny Rose, oh Danny boy, there’s only so long you can live of ‘that’ goal, and with your dismissal at the weekend that time has got a little shorter. The issue I have is for the consistency of Benoit, the lack of rotation Harry offers and the cost of buying a new player I just don’t think it’s worth it, Therefore I’d stick with what we have in this position
Estimated Transfer Revenue = N/A
Estimated Wage bill reduction = N/A
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Centre Back
Current Players
Younes Kaboul
William Gallas
Ledley King
Michael Dawson
Ryan Nelsen
Bongani Khumalo
Sebastien Bassong
Steven Caulker
That’s eight centre backs, that’s as many times as we’ve won the FA Cup, one less than the amount of goals Andy Carroll has scored this season. We’ve got three players too many, the problem we also face is we’ve only got one player I’m really happy with, Younes. He’s been outstanding this season and he’s only going to get better. Straight out the door are Ryan Nelsen, Bongani Khumalo and Sebastien Bassong they aren’t good enough and are taking up valuable space. That leaves Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Caulker and...King. Oh Ledley, Ledley, you’re going to the glue factory. My favourite player of all time could have been an all-time great. That’s why I want him to bow out at the top, have an ambassador role, a coaching role, just not a role on the pitch, sorry Ledley love you really. That leaves only four centre backs left, so one place for a new signing.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £150k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Javi Martinez
Midfield
Right Midfield
Current Players
Aaron Lennon
David Bentley
If we can get any money whatsoever for David Bentley then Daniel Levy is truly a Jedi master of negotiations, he’s been a complete and utter flop and is never ever going to make it for Spurs, he needs a fresh start. That leaves us with just ‘Azza’, whom I’m happy with; as second choice. He can win games on his own, and adds a lovely balance to our side when he plays, but I can’t help but feel we can do better. This is one position I think we really need buy big, Eden Hazard big.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £4m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Mario Gotze, Iker Muniain
Left Midfield
Current Players
Gareth Bale
Niko Kranjcar
Steven Pienaar
With Gareth Bale *crosses fingers* at the club we only need one back-up player here, with Kranjcar and Pienaar we have two (I’m an accountant don’t you know). Pienaar’s Spurs career seems to be going the same way as David Bentley’s. It faltered, stuttered, stalled; it’s been shit. He looks a different player for Everton and I think that’s where he belongs, au revoir Mr Pienaar.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £3m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Central Midfield
Current Players
Luka Modric
Goalkeepers
Current Players
Brad Friedel
Carlo Cudicini
Heurelho Gomes
Ben Alnwick
To be honest I don’t know why I included Ben Alnwick, can someone explain to me why we ever signed a player who’s most notable appearance was in a sex tape? Sell him for whatever we can get; I’d take a Zat Knight esque exchange of player for tracksuits. One of the highlights of the season has been seeing Gomes sat on the bench, last season he was at fault for far too many goals, with his contract running out in the summer we’ll bid him a fond farewell. That leaves Friedel and Cudicini, with a combined age of one Judi Dench, their best years are behind them. With two safe pairs of hands at the club, I feel it’s a perfect time to sign a new ‘keeper in the summer, with the comfort that you can ease them in gently if required.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £0m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Tim Krul, Michel Vorm, Hugo Lloris
 |
| Alnwick playing a game for Spurs, I'm as surprised as you. |
Defence
Right Back
Current Players
Kyle Walker
Vedran Corluka
Kyle Naughton
We currently have the PFA Young Player of the year at Right back, and what a player he’s going to be, he’ll hopefully usurp Stephen Carr in my Favourite Spurs XI and be a constant fixture in our side for years to come. So that leaves one place for a player who wants to play second fiddle. As we’ve seen, ‘Charlie’ wasn’t content and I would envisage him making a permanent move away from the Lane in the summer, which by default leaves Naughton. As far as back-up full-backs go I don’t think that’s too bad.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £40k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Left Back
Current Players
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Danny Rose
‘Benny’ is a man who divides opinion, some people love him, and some people, well, don’t. I’m a fan, he’s ultra consistent and his distribution from deep is one of the best in the league. If he irons out some of his erratic clearances then he’d improve further, he's a keeper. Danny Rose, oh Danny boy, there’s only so long you can live of ‘that’ goal, and with your dismissal at the weekend that time has got a little shorter. The issue I have is for the consistency of Benoit, the lack of rotation Harry offers and the cost of buying a new player I just don’t think it’s worth it, Therefore I’d stick with what we have in this position
Estimated Transfer Revenue = N/A
Estimated Wage bill reduction = N/A
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Centre Back
Current Players
Younes Kaboul
William Gallas
Ledley King
Michael Dawson
Ryan Nelsen
Bongani Khumalo
Sebastien Bassong
Steven Caulker
That’s eight centre backs, that’s as many times as we’ve won the FA Cup, one less than the amount of goals Andy Carroll has scored this season. We’ve got three players too many, the problem we also face is we’ve only got one player I’m really happy with, Younes. He’s been outstanding this season and he’s only going to get better. Straight out the door are Ryan Nelsen, Bongani Khumalo and Sebastien Bassong they aren’t good enough and are taking up valuable space. That leaves Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Caulker and...King. Oh Ledley, Ledley, you’re going to the glue factory. My favourite player of all time could have been an all-time great. That’s why I want him to bow out at the top, have an ambassador role, a coaching role, just not a role on the pitch, sorry Ledley love you really. That leaves only four centre backs left, so one place for a new signing.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £150k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Javi Martinez
 |
| A King amongst men, legend. |
Midfield
Right Midfield
Current Players
Aaron Lennon
David Bentley
If we can get any money whatsoever for David Bentley then Daniel Levy is truly a Jedi master of negotiations, he’s been a complete and utter flop and is never ever going to make it for Spurs, he needs a fresh start. That leaves us with just ‘Azza’, whom I’m happy with; as second choice. He can win games on his own, and adds a lovely balance to our side when he plays, but I can’t help but feel we can do better. This is one position I think we really need buy big, Eden Hazard big.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £4m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Mario Gotze, Iker Muniain
Left Midfield
Current Players
Gareth Bale
Niko Kranjcar
Steven Pienaar
With Gareth Bale *crosses fingers* at the club we only need one back-up player here, with Kranjcar and Pienaar we have two (I’m an accountant don’t you know). Pienaar’s Spurs career seems to be going the same way as David Bentley’s. It faltered, stuttered, stalled; it’s been shit. He looks a different player for Everton and I think that’s where he belongs, au revoir Mr Pienaar.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £3m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £50k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Central Midfield
Current Players
Luka Modric
Sandro
Tom Huddlestone
Scott Parker
Jake Livermore
Jermaine Jenas
Yes, we still own Jermaine Jenas unfortunate I know but it won’t be for long, hopefully. We have a fantastic midfield; the variety in there is what makes it so good. The exquisite class of Modric, the power and finesse in the tackle of Sandro, the range of passing from Huddlestone (how many of you missed those 60yrd passes this year), the tenacity and blocks of Parker and the, the, theee surprising ability of Jake Livermore, one of the surprise packages this season. So with all that, after selling Jenas our central midfield is complete.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £40k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Forwards
Support Striker
Tom Huddlestone
Scott Parker
Jake Livermore
Jermaine Jenas
Yes, we still own Jermaine Jenas unfortunate I know but it won’t be for long, hopefully. We have a fantastic midfield; the variety in there is what makes it so good. The exquisite class of Modric, the power and finesse in the tackle of Sandro, the range of passing from Huddlestone (how many of you missed those 60yrd passes this year), the tenacity and blocks of Parker and the, the, theee surprising ability of Jake Livermore, one of the surprise packages this season. So with all that, after selling Jenas our central midfield is complete.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £5m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £40k
Transfer Required = No
Transfer suggestions = N/A
Forwards
Support Striker
Current Players
Rafael van der Vaart
Giovani dos Santos
I feel almost guilty for putting ‘Gio’ beneath a title of ‘current players’, the man the myth the never to be legend. We all wanted him to succeed, and who knows if he’d been played for more than 5min here and there he may have been, but he hasn’t, so he won’t be a success, bye Gio it was arduous and forgetful. That leaves ‘Rafa’, I love this man, the best technique in the team, an eye for goal, and a football brain as the men in the know always say. As a backup I’d like to see someone a bit more raw, some potential, a crowd pleaser.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £6m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £40k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions = Junior Hoilett, Younes Belhanda, Georginio Wijnaldum
Striker
Current Players
Emmanuel Adebayor
Jermain Defoe
Louis Saha
Well that’s a formidable trio. In truth I’m thankful for Adebayor, he’s been good for us this season. But I don’t think I’m alone in saying – Did you not think he’d be more clinical? He’s missed a lot, but he’s scored and setup a fair few so he’s partly forgiven. I really don’t think we’ll be able to afford to retain him next year, so goodbye Ade. Louis Saha, why did we sign you? I hated Pavlyuchenko so at least you’ve stopped me screaming at him, but now I just scream at you, bye. Jermain Defoe, what can I say that hasn’t already been said? A scorer of great goals, rather than a great scorer of goals, I still don’t forgive you for that miss at Eastlands; RUN YOU LAZY MIDGET. Ok now that’s out in the open, I’m going to implore Spurs to sell him, he’s had his time, he can’t score goals regularly, he can’t link up play, he can’t play up top on his own, he can’t be at our club anymore. The problem that this now creates is that there are no strikers left. Ever since Keane and Berbatov left we’ve struggled up front and it needs to change, we need to invest heavily in two or three strikers.
Estimated Transfer Revenue = £12m
Estimated Wage bill reduction = £150k
Transfer Required = Yes
Transfer suggestions -
Expensive = Fernando Llorente, Seydou Doumbia, Gonzalo Higuain, Edinson Cavani, Leandro Damiao, Loic Remy, Olivier Giroud
Cheaper = Didier Drogba, Hugo Rodallega, Dimitar Berbatov, Jefferson Farfan, Demba Ba
So having rid the club of 13 players, raked in an estimated £40m and freed up almost 600k on the wage bill it’s now time to spend that money wisely. From our 2011-12 transfer dealings I would also estimate that we earned nigh on £50m, so I’ll add that to the war chest making £90m in total.
Goalkeeper = Hugo Lloris £15m
Centre Back = Jan Vertonghen £8m
Right Midfield = Eden Hazard £25m
Support Striker = Junior Hoilett £0m
Striker = Gonzalo Higuain £20m
Striker = Demba Ba £6m
Total Spend - £74m
Now obviously we aren’t going to get these players, in the four years that Harry has been at the club I can only think of one or two players that weren’t sourced from within the Premier league. But that doesn’t stop a man from dreaming. One thing that I would appreciate though is if we got our transfer dealings done early one, as much as I love a transfer deadline day, I'd rather not have to wait until then to see players come in. One final point worthy of a mention is the manager, I've got £16m left over there, more than enough to give Harry a nice pay off and bring a new manager in, suggestions anyone?
Cheaper = Didier Drogba, Hugo Rodallega, Dimitar Berbatov, Jefferson Farfan, Demba Ba
 |
| Can you hear the drums Fernando? |
So having rid the club of 13 players, raked in an estimated £40m and freed up almost 600k on the wage bill it’s now time to spend that money wisely. From our 2011-12 transfer dealings I would also estimate that we earned nigh on £50m, so I’ll add that to the war chest making £90m in total.
Goalkeeper = Hugo Lloris £15m
Centre Back = Jan Vertonghen £8m
Right Midfield = Eden Hazard £25m
Support Striker = Junior Hoilett £0m
Striker = Gonzalo Higuain £20m
Striker = Demba Ba £6m
Total Spend - £74m
Now obviously we aren’t going to get these players, in the four years that Harry has been at the club I can only think of one or two players that weren’t sourced from within the Premier league. But that doesn’t stop a man from dreaming. One thing that I would appreciate though is if we got our transfer dealings done early one, as much as I love a transfer deadline day, I'd rather not have to wait until then to see players come in. One final point worthy of a mention is the manager, I've got £16m left over there, more than enough to give Harry a nice pay off and bring a new manager in, suggestions anyone?
Josh
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