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Should Harry Redknapp go shopping or are Tottenham's players Champions League class?
Manager claims he doesn't need to spend - but is that wise?
26 Aug 2010 10:00:00
DEBATE
By Matt Monaghan
Champions League qualification has swelled Tottenham Hotspur's coffers, but manager Harry Redknapp is in no rush to spend the winnings.
The Spurs manager pulled a surprise after the 6-3 aggregate thumping of Young Boys when he said he wouldn't be banging on chairman Daniel Levy's door to bring in new faces.
Progression was meant to see expected moves for Luis Fabiano, Scott Parker and Stipe Pletikosa come to fruition rather than a new era of austerity sweep in.
Coming from football's original 'wheeler dealer', the statement seemed far-fetched. A look at the club's playing staff shows a mixed bag of top level performers, solid professionals and Premier League passengers.
Goal.com UK looked at whether 'Arry was being honest when he claimed to be content with his squad, or merely trying to stop teams holding the newly minted outfit to ransom.
GOALKEEPERBy Matt Monaghan
Champions League qualification has swelled Tottenham Hotspur's coffers, but manager Harry Redknapp is in no rush to spend the winnings.
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The Spurs manager pulled a surprise after the 6-3 aggregate thumping of Young Boys when he said he wouldn't be banging on chairman Daniel Levy's door to bring in new faces.
Progression was meant to see expected moves for Luis Fabiano, Scott Parker and Stipe Pletikosa come to fruition rather than a new era of austerity sweep in.
Coming from football's original 'wheeler dealer', the statement seemed far-fetched. A look at the club's playing staff shows a mixed bag of top level performers, solid professionals and Premier League passengers.
Goal.com UK looked at whether 'Arry was being honest when he claimed to be content with his squad, or merely trying to stop teams holding the newly minted outfit to ransom.
Samba stopper | Gomes has got over a rough start to prove his class
Champions League class: Heurelho Gomes
Europa League class: Carlo Cudicini
Premier League class: Ben Alnwick
Spurs' goalkeeping department looks strong on paper, though repeated rumours of a move for Stipe Pletikosa suggest Redknapp is not content.
After an abysmal start to his career in England, Gomes' rise to being one of the best in the division is unquestionable. His stunning saves against Arsenal at White Hart Lane at the tail-end of last season were as key to Spurs' Champions League odyssey as Peter Crouch's winner against Manchester City.
Gomes' pedigree in the Champions League with PSV Eindhoven - which includes a run to the semi-final stage in 2005 - shows that they have the man in place to keep out Europe's finest.
Behind the Brazilian, questions arise. Second choice Cudicini appeared for the second half against Young Boys, but only after a prolonged debate between Redknapp and Gomes as to whether the No.1 could play on with a leg injury - hardly a ringing-endorsement of faith in the Italian back-up.
With Alnwick also not seizing his chance on the rare occasion he gets a first-team start, a move to secure the Spartak Moscow shot stopper should not be a surprise.
Spurs' goalkeeping department looks strong on paper, though repeated rumours of a move for Stipe Pletikosa suggest Redknapp is not content.
After an abysmal start to his career in England, Gomes' rise to being one of the best in the division is unquestionable. His stunning saves against Arsenal at White Hart Lane at the tail-end of last season were as key to Spurs' Champions League odyssey as Peter Crouch's winner against Manchester City.
Gomes' pedigree in the Champions League with PSV Eindhoven - which includes a run to the semi-final stage in 2005 - shows that they have the man in place to keep out Europe's finest.
Behind the Brazilian, questions arise. Second choice Cudicini appeared for the second half against Young Boys, but only after a prolonged debate between Redknapp and Gomes as to whether the No.1 could play on with a leg injury - hardly a ringing-endorsement of faith in the Italian back-up.
With Alnwick also not seizing his chance on the rare occasion he gets a first-team start, a move to secure the Spartak Moscow shot stopper should not be a surprise.
DEFENCE
Sick note skipper | King's chronic knee injury has sidetracked his career
Sick note skipper | King's chronic knee injury has sidetracked his career
Champions League class: Ledley King, William Gallas
Europa League class: Michael Dawson, Vedran Corluka, Jonathan Woodgate
Premier League class: Alan Hutton, Sebastien Bassong, Younes Kaboul, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Benoit Assou-Ekotto
An emphatic 6-3 aggregate win over Young Boys may look good, but anyone who saw the first leg, particularly the first half-hour, would have been alarmed by the naivety in the Spurs rearguard.
Spurs seemed on the cusp of an ignominious exit when Young Boys raced into a 3-0 lead before being pegged back. The back line was cut through with impunity as Dawson and Bassong struggled to hold the fort, and Assou-Ekotto was subbed after only 35 minutes.
An instant remedy has come in the shape of Champions League veteran Gallas. Redknapp must balance his squad to have the fragile King available for the big European nights to partner the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star.
At full-back, Corluka is a steady but uninspiring choice while Assou-Ekotto splits opinion. The emergence of one of Naughton or Walker could add some much needed pace at right-back, while Kaboul can provide no-nonsense cover when called upon on the opposite flank.
Gallas' arrival is probably the last in that department as Redknapp concentrates on other areas. The signing of a stellar full-back to mirror his options at centre-back wouldn't go amiss, however.
An emphatic 6-3 aggregate win over Young Boys may look good, but anyone who saw the first leg, particularly the first half-hour, would have been alarmed by the naivety in the Spurs rearguard.
Spurs seemed on the cusp of an ignominious exit when Young Boys raced into a 3-0 lead before being pegged back. The back line was cut through with impunity as Dawson and Bassong struggled to hold the fort, and Assou-Ekotto was subbed after only 35 minutes.
An instant remedy has come in the shape of Champions League veteran Gallas. Redknapp must balance his squad to have the fragile King available for the big European nights to partner the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star.
At full-back, Corluka is a steady but uninspiring choice while Assou-Ekotto splits opinion. The emergence of one of Naughton or Walker could add some much needed pace at right-back, while Kaboul can provide no-nonsense cover when called upon on the opposite flank.
Gallas' arrival is probably the last in that department as Redknapp concentrates on other areas. The signing of a stellar full-back to mirror his options at centre-back wouldn't go amiss, however.
MIDFIELD
Welsh wonder | Bale has been transformed since being moved to left wing
ATTACK
Welsh wonder | Bale has been transformed since being moved to left wing
Champions League class: Gareth Bale, Luka Modric
Europa League class: Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone
Premier League class: Niko Kranjcar, Wilson Palacios, David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Jamie O'Hara, Danny Rose, Sandro
In the area where most elite matches are ultimately won and lost, Tottenham boast some talented but inexperienced performers.
With Bale and Modric, White Hart Lane is graced by two of the finest players in their position in the competition. The Welshman's emergence as a top drawer left winger has been nothing short of breathtaking in its speed, while Modric has shone at the heart of the Croatia setup for several years.
An improvement in decision making could yet see Lennon and Huddlestone reach a level of comfort in Europe. Unknown package Sandro also arrives after victory in South America's equivalent, the Copa Libertadores.
True quality is harder to find behind them, with Kranjcar's inconsistency and a drop in form for Palacios harming their case for inclusion. Redknapp has sought to correct this with a move to bring Scott Parker's know-how into the Spurs ranks.
In truth, this is the real problem for Spurs, as all bar back-up Jenas have never featured in the Champions League group stages before. Wise heads are needed to succeed.
With Bale and Modric, White Hart Lane is graced by two of the finest players in their position in the competition. The Welshman's emergence as a top drawer left winger has been nothing short of breathtaking in its speed, while Modric has shone at the heart of the Croatia setup for several years.
An improvement in decision making could yet see Lennon and Huddlestone reach a level of comfort in Europe. Unknown package Sandro also arrives after victory in South America's equivalent, the Copa Libertadores.
True quality is harder to find behind them, with Kranjcar's inconsistency and a drop in form for Palacios harming their case for inclusion. Redknapp has sought to correct this with a move to bring Scott Parker's know-how into the Spurs ranks.
In truth, this is the real problem for Spurs, as all bar back-up Jenas have never featured in the Champions League group stages before. Wise heads are needed to succeed.
ATTACK
Boys to men | Crouch towered over the Swiss side and claimed a vital hat-trick
Champions League class: Peter Crouch
Europa League class: Jermain Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Giovani dos Santos
Premier League class: Robbie Keane
Goalscoring has rarely been a problem at White Hart Lane and this shouldn't be any different in the Champions League.
Redknapp boasts a squad that will cause damage at this level if provided with chances. Crouch's hat-trick in the second leg against Young Boys took his goalscoring record in Europe's elite club competition to 11 goals in his last 16 starts.
Providing a nagging groin injury is fully resolved, Defoe's status as a natural finisher should also be of benefit even though he has endured a relative drought in 2010. Similarly, Pavlyuchenko's eye for the unexpected, dos Santos' guile honed at Barcelona and Keane - if he isn't sold - is a solid campaigner and record marksman for the Republic of Ireland.
Despite this competency, a lack of a world-class talent up top is a glaring omission. With Spurs' hard-won place in Europe's elite now in their favour, a deal to bring in someone of real quality would be hard to turn down, although Sevilla's Luis Fabiano is not that man as he is cup-tied.
Goalscoring has rarely been a problem at White Hart Lane and this shouldn't be any different in the Champions League.
Redknapp boasts a squad that will cause damage at this level if provided with chances. Crouch's hat-trick in the second leg against Young Boys took his goalscoring record in Europe's elite club competition to 11 goals in his last 16 starts.
Providing a nagging groin injury is fully resolved, Defoe's status as a natural finisher should also be of benefit even though he has endured a relative drought in 2010. Similarly, Pavlyuchenko's eye for the unexpected, dos Santos' guile honed at Barcelona and Keane - if he isn't sold - is a solid campaigner and record marksman for the Republic of Ireland.
Despite this competency, a lack of a world-class talent up top is a glaring omission. With Spurs' hard-won place in Europe's elite now in their favour, a deal to bring in someone of real quality would be hard to turn down, although Sevilla's Luis Fabiano is not that man as he is cup-tied.
VERDICT
Ignoring his words to the contrary, it is impossible to expect Redknapp not to add to his squad. A desire for a few smart additions at the right price was on Redknapp's mind when he sought to dampen the enthusiasm of expectant chairmen eager to cash in on Spurs' success with a well-timed quote.
The ex-Portsmouth boss has developed a capable group to get this far, but extra quality is needed. Pletikosa's arrival would keep Gomes on his toes, though Redknapp can probably make do and mend at the back having added Gallas.
In midfield, an extra ball winner like Parker would be an asset. Redknapp is also aware that goals are hard to come by in the upper echelons and will be demanding behind the scenes that Levy makes the funds available to bring in a predator.
Do you agree? Vote in our poll and don't forget to leave a comment and suggest who you think Spurs should go after before the transfer window closes.
The ex-Portsmouth boss has developed a capable group to get this far, but extra quality is needed. Pletikosa's arrival would keep Gomes on his toes, though Redknapp can probably make do and mend at the back having added Gallas.
In midfield, an extra ball winner like Parker would be an asset. Redknapp is also aware that goals are hard to come by in the upper echelons and will be demanding behind the scenes that Levy makes the funds available to bring in a predator.
Do you agree? Vote in our poll and don't forget to leave a comment and suggest who you think Spurs should go after before the transfer window closes.
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 26 Aug 2010 to 27 Aug 2010
Poll runs from 26 Aug 2010 to 27 Aug 2010
What position should Harry Redknapp prioritise in the transfer market to make Tottenham ready for the Champions League?
Attack
55.76%
Defence
17.17%
Midfield
16.16%
None - their squad is good enough already
9.7%
Goalkeeper
1.21%
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