As the dramatic events of the Champions League Final in Munich unfolded, many football fans would have been excused when overlooking the importance of the match for Tottenham Hotspur. Relying on a German victory to reclaim a Champions League place next season, every Spurs fan was cheering for the team in Red at the Allianz Arena. 120 minutes and 10 penalties later and without kicking a football, Tottenham were out of the Champions League. Once again, a season that started with so much promise had tumbled into the disappointment of Europa League qualification next season.
Every footballer’s desire is to play in the Champions League. The Promised Land for countless professionals, clubs transfer policies rely on European qualification to secure the more gifted individuals. With 6 clubs realistically chasing the 4 Champions League places that are on offer in the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League, every season ends in anti-climax for the 5th and 6th placed clubs. The crazy season that was 2011/2012, saw Spurs finish in 4th, usually enough to see a club enter the Champions League. However, Chelsea’s implausible victory against Bayern Munich on Saturday saw the men from Stamford Bridge take the final spot, knocking Spurs off their perch. With no Champions League football next season, can Tottenham make quality signings and more significantly, can they hang on to their star performers?
Tottenham is a desirable club for many foreign players. Based in the Capital, a great young team, an astute manager in Harry Redknapp and the ambition of an elite club. It is no surprise that when opening the morning papers and flicking to the sports pages, you come across a vast array of rumours surrounding the clubs transfer targets. Jan Vertonghen is the name currently circulating around White Hart Lane. The Belgian has had the routine tour of the ground, discussions with the manager and chairman and stated his desire to play for the club. And yet the transfer still hangs in the balance. If Daniel Levy and Co. are able to sort the Defenders contract out and present him as a Tottenham player in the approaching weeks, the floodgates can then open and players will appreciate that the North London club are making audacious moves very early on in the transfer window. With an exciting list of talented players being linked with Spurs, the early movement of the club would falter any bids from opposing teams in the hunt for the next astute signing. Along with Vertonghen, Kwadwo Asamoah, Leandro Damiao, Guiseppe Rossi, Milos Krasic, Junior Hoilett, Lassana Diarra and Alessandro Del Piero are just a handful of names that have been linked with the North London club, even with no Champions League at White Hart Lane next season. However, the financial implications of not competing in Europe’s most desired competition could falter Spurs’ transfer movements. The club do not have the wage budget to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Man City. By entering into early discussions, the fear of losing transfer targets to rival clubs who can offer superior wages could be eradicated.
As much as Spurs fans will want to see new blood take to the field at White Hart Lane, the club must keep hold of their star players. It can’t be stressed enough that the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric need to commit their futures to Spurs, otherwise a merry-go-round of rumours that last the entire summer will ensue. It wasn’t 12 months ago that Luka Modric detailed his desire to leave for a ‘bigger’ club, generating a whirlwind of rumours that did not falter until August 31st. These issues need to be ironed out early if Tottenham want to side-step another summer of approaches from other clubs toward their main men. This will be a challenge considering the lack of Champions League football that is so desired at Spurs. Lessons learnt from last year suggest that Modric is not a player to rest on his laurels and could seek a move elsewhere should one become available. Gareth Bale is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best midfielders and approaches from the Elites would indisputably be considered by the Welshman. Emmanuel Adebayor has been a revelation for Spurs this season. Redknapp has already stated that the Togo International’s wages are way too high for Spurs to keep him on a permanent deal. However, Adebayor took to Twitter this week to explain that he wants to stay at the club and he is working with Levy to achieve this. Confirming the futures of current players whilst bringing in fresh talent as early as possible will only assist Tottenham in their pursuit to return to the Champions League next season. Rather than speculating which of his players he is going to be without come the start of the new season, Redknapp can focus on building his squad, moulding a team that is capable of challenging not just for European places but for the domestic title. If Harry follows Spurs’ motto and DARE’s to make bold transfer decisions over the summer, Spurs might just DO what everyone at the club desires; bring Champions League Football back to White Hart Lane.
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