Though I do welcome the acquisition of Brad Friedel, I had been hoping to welcome maybe one or two other faces when the pictures went up onthe Spurs official site yesterday. At that, I had hoped to see a smiling Luka Modric back in training, but that’s for another entry.
First things first, this summer has been one rife with rumours of players both going in and out. So far none have come to fruition, leading to fans and even players questioning the ambition and determination of the club going forward.
The rumours that seem to never cease have included the talents of Leandro Damiao, Giuseppe Rossi, the FC Porto duo Falcao and Hulk, Mirko Vucinic, and even a little known Mexican-English striker with the almost comical name of Antonio Pedroza-Whitman. What can easily be inferred from this laundry list of names is that Tottenham are definitely in the market for a ‘top, top’ striker.
Realistically at this stage in the summer, I can only see us bringing in one of those first class names (Pedroza-Whitman not included).
Tottenham’s striking flaws have been well documented since the end of the season and both Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy should be aware of the need for change. Redknapp recently made his case for Levy to pursue Rossi on Sky Sports News, but the American-born Italian was the only player mentioned during the interview.
Though I do believe Rossi is a strong player and someone who could provide Spurs a legitimate goalscoring threat, I do not think he is the right striker for the current Tottenham system.
Because there is always an assured place for Rafael van der Vaart in the squad, Harry has generally converted Spurs to a 4-4-1-1 squad, placing VDV behind a lone striker. From what I have seen and can remember of Rossi and Villareal, they play a 4-5-1 with Nilmar and Cani providing with and incisive runs from the touchlines.
Rossi’s stature (1.73m) does not lead me to believe he is capable of being that 20-goal/year striker Spurs need. Instead, I would rather Spurs push all of their thought, and money, towards acquiring one, if not both, of the Porto duo Falcao and Hulk.
Both strikers are tough, great in the air, and have a strong sense for the back of the net, scoring 75 goals in 93 appearances between the two in their treble-winning season. They would provide the firepower Spurs desperately need from the frontline next season.
Sadly, with former Porto boss Villas-Boas becoming the newest manager at Stamford Bridge, both he and Abramovich may be keen on bringing the two strikers to Chelsea this summer. For Spurs, without Champion’s League football to offer, only a bid in excess of what will probably be £30m each and a serious break in the wage structure will lure the players to the Lane.
As for the Internacional striker Damiao, the transfer saga seems to never end. At the beginning of the summer, it seemed the Brazilian would be the first big, though relatively unknown, name arriving to North London. Since the beginning of June, rumours of negotiations between Inter and Tottenham have died down and it seems there could be a bevy of clubs in for the striker. Considering our ties with the Brazilian club though and the past successful of Sandro to Spurs, I have all the confidence Damiao will be joining Spurs, if not by the end of the summer then around Boxing Day after the Brazilian league concludes.
Looking back on those bright striking options on the market, I’d have to say I would be happy with any one, or a few of them, but that is very wishful thinking at this point. Falcao and Hulk could be instant heroes at the Lane and become PL leading goalscorers in their own right. Rossi has potential as well, but could take time to adapt to the fast-paced and rough style of English football. The same could be said with Damiao, but if he finds his stride as Sandro did last season, £12.5m will have been well spent for the 21-year-old.
In the end, no Tottenham supporter will be happy if come kickoff time against Everton we line up 3MP alongside VDV. Though they both have solid three-letter nicknames, I’d rather Spurs stick a brand name in there alongside the Dutchman that can ignite both White Hart Lane and the Premier League.