Transfer watch (Summer 2018)

[Don Diaz]

Maybe we don’t need too many players? We had 9 in the World Cup semi finals, plus Son, Davies, Eriksen, Lamela, Wanyama, Sanchez, Winks......I mean if Mbappe, Modric, Perisic, Ronaldo, Silva, DeBruyne, Hazard, Neymar etc were available then fine, but we’re not in too bad shape if nothing happens? Are we?

 

[skiathospurs]

Maybe we don’t need too many players? We had 9 in the World Cup semi finals, plus Son, Davies, Eriksen, Lamela, Wanyama, Sanchez, Winks......I mean if Mbappe, Modric, Perisic, Ronaldo, Silva, DeBruyne, Hazard, Neymar etc were available then fine, but we’re not in too bad shape if nothing happens? Are we?

Really depends if you think we shouldnt upgrade sissoko,janssen,llorente,nkoudou,if toby&rose are on board after niggling over wages,if dembele can avoid injuries breaking him down,you cannot merely stand still,hasnt that been arsenals policy for half a decade?man u,city,liverpool,chelsea already improved their squads,if we stand still it gives a chance for others to pull ahead or some behind catch us.
It is true we have a healthy first 15 players quality wise,but we need better cover if we are to compete in the 3 cups and compete in the league.

We were told the stadium wouldnt impact on transfers,well 10 years of a flatline net spend hard to argue semantics with Levy over that changing!!but it is becoming an issue of trust with ENIC,ambition for THFC not THFC PLC.You cannot merely build a stadium and charge over 30% more just for being in a new stadium,no one goes to look at a stadium we go to look at the team on the pitch and I think it is fair if as quoted we are now the most expensive club in football to watch,that part of that is transferred into playing staff as well.I mean Levy is the highest paid chairman after all.

It isnt even so much about next season,i agree we can have a go next year keeping the status quo players wise,but dembele is then out of contract,toby has 1 year and release clause,we cant simply hope the academy provides us another king or kane quality player.If we lose the upwards momentum of the last 4 years,will we ever get it back?and that is why standing still wont help the club,we could all name 10 of the squad we would improve,replace without a thought,so surely 3 or 4 incomings isnt unreasonable with the tv money and huge ST price hikes??

 

[Yid]

Really depends if you think we shouldnt upgrade sissoko,janssen,llorente,nkoudou,if toby&rose are on board after niggling over wages,if dembele can avoid injuries breaking him down,you cannot merely stand still,hasnt that been arsenals policy for half a decade?man u,city,liverpool,chelsea already improved their squads,if we stand still it gives a chance for others to pull ahead or some behind catch us.
It is true we have a healthy first 15 players quality wise,but we need better cover if we are to compete in the 3 cups and compete in the league.

We were told the stadium wouldnt impact on transfers,well 10 years of a flatline net spend hard to argue semantics with Levy over that changing!!but it is becoming an issue of trust with ENIC,ambition for THFC not THFC PLC.You cannot merely build a stadium and charge over 30% more just for being in a new stadium,no one goes to look at a stadium we go to look at the team on the pitch and I think it is fair if as quoted we are now the most expensive club in football to watch,that part of that is transferred into playing staff as well.I mean Levy is the highest paid chairman after all.

It isnt even so much about next season,i agree we can have a go next year keeping the status quo players wise,but dembele is then out of contract,toby has 1 year and release clause,we cant simply hope the academy provides us another king or kane quality player.If we lose the upwards momentum of the last 4 years,will we ever get it back?and that is why standing still wont help the club,we could all name 10 of the squad we would improve,replace without a thought,so surely 3 or 4 incomings isnt unreasonable with the tv money and huge ST price hikes??

Agreed.... which is why when Poch made comments last year about us being brave and daring to do, I fear he would ultimately be let down again, as all others before him..... by Levy

The best predictor of the future is the past.

Levy seems to have Levy'd Poch. Poch's "we must have our players in and training by early June" has fallen on deaf ears it would seem. Yes we and the entire world have been distracted by a fantastic world cup, but Levys and the scouts jobs are to find and negotiate deals for Poch to build a team for the coming season. That doesn't stop because of the world cup.

There has to be things in the pipeline, but the lack of rumours for me is telling. We will get 2nd or 3rd options to fill some holes and have a net profit again making levys books look lovely and neat.

Will Poch stand for it, when he has so many offers..... I don't think he will for long and it'll be a fucking huge blow to our club, new shiny stadium or not.

 

[J.spurs]

I'm going to give it another week or so before I start to panic, but as @Yid says, the lack of even speculation is worrying. Looks like we'll probably get Jack Grealish, who seems exactly the kind of player Poch could sort out, but it's hard to see how he really makes us better. Given what the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal are doing, that's not good. Hope I'm wrong. Like I said, not panicking yet, and we still have a very very good squad, but to kick on, I think we need 2-3 established players (depending on departures, and everything seems to have gone quiet on that front as well.)

 

[Chavhater01]

I’m buzzing boys, thoroughly looking forward to seeing this chap called None, that I saw under Spurs' incoming transfer dealings this Summer on sky sports this morning, hopefully he's a new Brazilian wonder kid!!

Joking apart, i’m very confused by what’s going on, I thought the whole reason that Poch signed a new contract was off the back of Levy promising him a significant war chest. Maybe it’ll be like the whole London buses scenario, where one world class player will be followed by another couple but we need to get the fuck on with it. As @skiathospurs said,everyone else has improved their squads at the very least and we’re doing nothing about it. Also a little concerned at the prospect of having so many players going so deep in the wc and the effect it’ll have on them at the start of the season, so some fresh blood is essential.

 

[J.spurs]

Also a little concerned at the prospect of having so many players going so deep in the wc and the effect it’ll have on them at the start of the season, so some fresh blood is essential.

This is the thing I'm most worried about. Sonny will be away as well at the Asian Games through September possibly. I mean, as Don said above, we have a very good squad, but depth as well as some who can push for places is a must.

 

[skiathospurs]

This is the thing I'm most worried about. Sonny will be away as well at the Asian Games through September possibly. I mean, as Don said above, we have a very good squad, but depth as well as some who can push for places is a must.

we are kind of gambling that winks,foyth,KWP are ready to step up and into the match day squad,same would be of grealish too.Will Aurier and Moura be more in tune after a pre-season with Poch,lamela back with confidence after so long out with injuries and my biggest worry ......what does Poch see in sissoko that I clearly dont?its not like i am never wrong or more qualified but hell if I can see what he brings as he is so devoid of confidence (thats being kind!).

But as I said winks&lamela back,rose too,more experience for foyth,moura aurier,maybe we will be alright?but definatly we need to start sharp and with a whole 1st team away from most of pre-season,going to be kind of nervy how we kick off the season.

 

[Yid]

Whatthe actual fuck is happening at our club?

I wanna hear something.... even if it's made up horse shit...

 

[Liam]

For me the biggest problem with signing new payers isn't for once about Levy being tight but about player quota's. Last season we had to move players in and out of CL squad when Moura came in but wasn't an issue as was young players on low wages but with us being at the top of our quota for non home grown players it means we have to sign either young home grown players that will get better, established home grown players that will walk into the the team, or sell one of our foreigners before replacing them. I don't see many English players instantly improving us right now to be honest, and the one's that would are at top clubs already. If we go and sign players to improve Sissoko & Llorente for big money but still have Sissoko & Llorente on our wage bill it could be a big problem for us as Sissoko & Llorente would be dropped from the squads and their value (whats left of it) would drop hugely or even worse we will be stuck with foreign players not in our squads, not getting played, and on big wages. We have a new stadium but I don't think it's going to make a massive difference over night to how much we can spend but even if it does we need to get rid x amount of foreign players to be able to sign the same amount of foreign players. It's a right conundrum of sorts and is causing me some worry too but I don't want to see us spend loads on players who aren't guaranteed to walk in to the team and end up with two Sissoko's, two Jansen's, and two Llorente's. It's not just about the money but about those quota's. Davies and Dier not being considerd homegrown doesn't help either. Keeping Rose would be very helpful for our quota as we'd be in trouble if he were to as we'd need a better English left back than him to come in, fuck knows who that's gonna be..... If Toby went maybe Maguire would come in and help with the quota's, although wouldn't be an improvement on the players himself. Unfortunately it's not just about buying a layer to improve the team but about balancing the finances and squad quota's these days. We are struggling with it though.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Just an aside, but Dier should certainly count as homegrown. He's English and plays for the English national team! Umm, am I missing something? Yeah, Portugal and all, but so what? So he decided to train at a foreign club? Seems a pretty good idea actually. Is this up to the FA or UEFA? Seems illogical to me.

 

[Liam]

Just an aside, but Dier should certainly count as homegrown. He's English and plays for the English national team! Umm, am I missing something? Yeah, Portugal and all, but so what? So he decided to train at a foreign club? Seems a pretty good idea actually. Is this up to the FA or UEFA? Seems illogical to me.

I'm not sure who it is who decides these things it seems both logical and illogical at the same time to me, mainly because it's homegrown rather than home country. Even home country could be debatable with Dier as he didn't spend all of his childhood here. It's pretty fair to say as a youth player he did his development at the Lisbon youth academy though which is obviously under the Portuguese FA. I think it's generally good as 99% of the tine it's gonna be helpful to people who are trained under our FA who are mostly going to be English. Every now and then there is gonna be a Dier or Siggurdson situation but I think there should be a couple of loopholes to this rule as well, like country they play for with Dier playing for England should be able to be in the homegrown category and I also think passport they hold should be relevant too as Davies hold the same passport as the English lads but isn't homegrown... It's still a relatively newish rule and we are only now seeing players that this rule was relevant for as youths come to the best years of their careers but as with any rule after a bit of time you see the issues it can resolve but new issues it can create. The rule doesn't need wholesale changes but minor amendments to make it a bit more suitable for the way immigration and nationality works in the modern world.

 

[skiathospurs]

also big rumours lamela signed a new 4 year deal TBA soon,we never do 2 on the same day!

 

[skiathospurs]

also big rumours lamela signed a new 4 year deal TBA soon,we never do 2 on the same day!

even pics

 

[skiathospurs]

lol and then club sends out info

 

[Yid]

All I am seeing is Grealish.... and Zaha....

 

[J.spurs]

All I am seeing is Grealish.... and Zaha....

With Sissoko supposedly going the other way on the Zaha deal. That I could get excited about.

RE: the Son and Lamela signing pics--Poch doesn't do the arm around the shoulder for new contracts anymore? Worrying sign.

 

[Glenjamin]

With Sissoko supposedly going the other way on the Zaha deal. That I could get excited about.

RE: the Son and Lamela signing pics--Poch doesn't do the arm around the shoulder for new contracts anymore? Worrying sign.

He's arm wrestling Sissoko in the canteen. Big fella has got to be good at something!

 

[wilson]

Sorry for my absence chaps but to be honest there has quite literally been nothing to discuss aside from discussing that there is nothing to discuss!

My big concern of not bringing new players in is that you need to do it to give the current lads a bit of a lift and get the buzz going in training, etc! Especially with the English lads coming back knackered from the WC - drained both emotionally and physically.

Whether the big, expensive signings Liverpool have made will be flops or not, their arrival will undoubtedly have excited their current squad members, fans and backroom staff whilst creating fantastic competition for places.

Even the fans who want the classic homegrown approach can't deny that you need to keep the squad fresh and the best way to do that is buying some quality, hungry players. Whilst having a great youth setup producing talent to come through to the first team squad is fantastic, a total reliance on the setup to do that is barmy and can also ruin some young players who have to be 'ready' quicker than their natural growth allows.

I've not been overly concerned until now (WC fever, classic Spurs) but as others have mentioned, the lack of speculation and rumours is what is concerning me. For all our lack of activity till the end of the window in previous seasons, we've always been linked to people. Some times for ages. I'm still hoping that there is stuff going on in the background. There has to be. Surely. Please?

 

[Flump]

All I am seeing is Grealish.... and Zaha....

Mesmerising isn't it. Levy does it again.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

I am not that bothered to be honest. Yes, the odd signing or two in the right spots would be great but I think that there is more to be said for keeping what we have and playing them together as often as is practical with all of the competitions that we are involved in.

Often a new signing can be destabilising, particularly if they come in on silly wages compared to the other lads. And whilst healthy competition for spots is great (and the depth welcome) you also don't want to create an unnecessary threat to a valued players spot.

 

[Yid]

I am not that bothered to be honest. Yes, the odd signing or two in the right spots would be great but I think that there is more to be said for keeping what we have and playing them together as often as is practical with all of the competitions that we are involved in.

Often a new signing can be destabilising, particularly if they come in on silly wages compared to the other lads. And whilst healthy competition for spots is great (and the depth welcome) you also don't want to create an unnecessary threat to a valued players spot.

I can't agree. I don't think we have enough to cover all comps effectively. We don't have the strength in depth to compete on 4 fronts... which means we will inevitably have to choose to prioritise or potentially fail at them all. I have never clambered for marquee names, but you have to look at what Poch's ambitions were at the end of last season. We all follow and trust him and I personally agreed that what he said was spot on... we needed those players in and ready to absorb the Spurs/Poch philosophy.

I can't help but think this will come back later in the season when we have a blip or an injury crisis... Poch will pipe up and say he never got what he wanted ie players in certain positions early before the world cup, and then the tension between him and Dan will escalate.

This is the past repeating it's self, I've seen it too many times.

Negative as fuck for a beautiful Monday morning, and I hope to fuck I'm wrong.

 

[Flump]

I can't agree. I don't think we have enough to cover all comps effectively. We don't have the strength in depth to compete on 4 fronts... which means we will inevitably have to choose to prioritise or potentially fail at them all. I have never clambered for marquee names, but you have to look at what Poch's ambitions were at the end of last season. We all follow and trust him and I personally agreed that what he said was spot on... we needed those players in and ready to absorb the Spurs/Poch philosophy.

I can't help but think this will come back later in the season when we have a blip or an injury crisis... Poch will pipe up and say he never got what he wanted ie players in certain positions early before the world cup, and then the tension between him and Dan will escalate.

This is the past repeating it's self, I've seen it too many times.

Negative as fuck for a beautiful Monday morning, and I hope to fuck I'm wrong.

This 100%. And Poch will once again prioritise the 2 competitions we have the least chance of winning, leaving us potentially trophy less once again. Liverpool are having a real go(cunts),Arsenal are strengthening too. I fully expect us to miss out on top 4 this season if we don't strengthen. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Reportedly Malcom to Roma for 40 mil. Such a strange club, Roma. They lose players they have no business losing and sign players like they're Barcelona. Very odd.

 

[Chavhater01]

The only real bonus so far for this season, is that Erik & Lucas will have had a full preseason. Almost like having 2 new players...yeah I know, i’m seriously clutching!

 

[Style And Glory]

Reportedly Malcom to Roma for 40 mil. Such a strange club, Roma. They lose players they have no business losing and sign players like they're Barcelona. Very odd.

Ironically, Barcelona stepped in at the last minute & Bordeaux pulled the plug on the deal.

 

[Style And Glory]

Some talk of Henry being installed as Aston Villa manager by new owners.

Could affect Grealish deal.

 

[skiathospurs]

The only real bonus so far for this season, is that Erik & Lucas will have had a full preseason. Almost like having 2 new players...yeah I know, i’m seriously clutching!

I`ll clutch some more!!Wanyama and winks missed more than a season between them and they will be back too,if I`m really clutching not going to the WC, sissoko will be fresh and raring to go !!!

 

[skiathospurs]

 

[Chavhater01]

I`ll clutch some more!!Wanyama and winks missed more than a season between them and they will be back too,if I`m really clutching not going to the WC, sissoko will be fresh and raring to go !!!

We’re gonna win the league!!

 

[Yid]

if I`m really clutching not going to the WC, sissoko will be fresh and raring to go !!!

Now he has a full pre-season under him....... we will see the rea.....

Who the fuck am I kidding!