Tottenham Summer Transfer Window Recap
A slow, but rewarding transfer window was the result of Tottenham’s summer 2017 business. The club were able to do intelligent business in an over-inflated market while not destroying the squad that saw so much success last year. Key players were added to take them to the next level, and surely the club is a ripe position to launch a formidable title challenge this year.
Transfers Out
Kyle Walker and Kevin Wimmer saw their way out of Tottenham this summer, signing for Manchester City and Stoke City respectively. Walker was a big loss, as well as losing depth in Kevin Wimmer. Frederico Fazio, Clinton N’Jie, Luke McGee, and Will Miller also left on permanent deals, as well as loan moves for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josh Onomah, and Tom Glover. It was going to be a hard task to replace everyone who had left the club, but Tottenham did just that and strengthened the side in the process.
New Additions
Levy & Co. took their time to bring in the first player of the summer, waiting until August 18th to reach an agreement with Ajax regarding the transfer of Davinson Sanchez. A young, sharp, and talented prospect indeed, Sanchez helped Ajax reach the Europa League final and was a key role in defense.
After that, Spurs signed Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton and Juan Foyth from Estudiantes. These signings were building up to what many Spurs fans would be a “Levy-esque,” or magical deadline day. As deadline day rolled around, Spurs were linked with virtually anyone and everyone. This included: Angel Di Maria, Andre Gomes, Demarai Gray, Glenson Martins, Ross Barkley (you get the point). However, the two additions that Levy brought to the club on deadline day ended was Serge Aurier and Fernando Llorente. This left plenty of Tottenham supporters fuming, thinking the club would’ve brought in at least 3-4 deadline day signings. Many hoped for one pacey, wide player and a big name signing. Many people on Twitter have labelled this transfer window a failure. But, a close analysis of the new players and the roles they will play says otherwise.
How the Squad Looks Now
The marquee additions of Sanchez and Aurier are two that are going to take an already thriving Spurs team to the next level. A back three of Vertonghen, Alderwerield, and Sanchez has the potential to be one of the best in Europe and will add even more to our defensive reputation from the past two seasons. Throw in a Serge Aurier on the right and a healthy Danny Rose on the left and that will be a world-beater back five. Tottenham fans will forget the Kyle Walker – Danny Rose partnership in no time.
Make no mistake, the additions of Llorente and Foyth won’t go unnoticed. Having Fernando Llorente, a striker who scored 15 times in 33 appearances for a relegation battling Swansea last season, on the bench adds so much to the Tottenham Hotspur project. A Premier League proven striker with loads of experience, multiple trophies in his cabinet at the club and international level, and goal scoring ability still in his locker is exactly what Spurs need to take them to the next level. On the other end of the spectrum, Juan Foyth has the opportunity to prove the label he’s been given. With a playing style very similar to that of Toby Alderwerield, Foyth can learn a lot from the rock-solid Belgian. Having Foyth on the bench for cameos against weaker sides or cup games is a gift for Tottenham.
The depth that these players offer will allow Spurs to put together a serious bench and a strong rotation squad. This is something that they seriously lacked last season. This added depth could be the edge that Spurs need to finally capture the coveted Premiere League title they inch closer to each season.
Recap
Obviously Spurs missed out on a pacey winger, something the fans have been wanting for seasons. The club also missed out on signing a huge name player that a lot of the fans hoped to see during this window. However, the return of Erik Lamela and Danny Rose, a potential clean slate for Moussa Sissoko, and the emerging Kyle Walker-Peters could all feel like new signings for Tottenham Hotspur, bolstering the squad that they already have put together.
Conclusively, Tottenham may have had an (and I’m using this term VERY lightly) underwhelming summer transfer window to many fans. When, in reality, Levy and Pochettino have bolstered together a squad that should be able hold it’s own. The additions Spurs have made are intelligent, capable, and confident. Most of all, they’re genuinely excited and happy to be a part of Pochettino’s project at Spurs.
These additions have only made me more confident in Spurs ability to succeed as a unit. Only time will tell, but I for one, am confident that the result of this window will only benefit Spurs. It has the potential to take them to the next level and give them the edge that the fans have desired in the past few years.
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