Spurs summer transfers could cost more than money
May 26, 2010
As a man, coach and personality I am a massive fan of Harry Redknapp. He has a great record of success with the clubs he takes on. Unfortunately though the clubs Harry takes on are often left in a financial mess on his departure.
Harry likes to spend when he is in charge and if the teams can’t get enough success to help balance the books then I worry that it could all end in tears for Spurs within 3 years.
Despite Harry saying Spurs would not spend big to get a quick road to success they have splashed cash and some would say it’s paid off. Tottenham finished fourth this season and can look forward to European football next season. Something that, despite the money it brings, could see the Spurs soccer machine creak and stall.
At this moment in time every Football Rumours column is rife with talk about Harry signing this and Harry signing that. Micah Richards, Steven Pienaar and Curtis Davies are just 3 names being linked with Spurs in today’s papers, their combined cost would likely be approx £30 m.
There’s no doubt that Spurs will need to strengthen if they want to repeat a top 4 spot next year and have a lucrative run in Europe, but unfortunately I can’t see it happening. Spurs got their top 4 spot secured on the last day of the season and they don’t have the spending power of Man City. Liverpool are likely to spend big. Rafa will see it vital, if he stays, to push back into the top 4 and that means more support is required for Torres and Gerrard. Don’t be surprised to see the reds spend big this year, they need it.
If City and Liverpool can get the funds I am sure they’ll leapfrog Spurs next year, even Birmingham could be given a handsome transfer kitty to help them kick on from their 9th spot this year. With the extra games that European competition brings I really think that Tottenham could struggle to make top 6 next year and that could cause financial melt down.
If their run in Europe ends quickly and their spending hits £40 million, which is more than their profits this year, Spurs could be on the slippery slope to ruin quicker than they’d like.
I hope for Redknapps sake and for Spurs sake that it doesn’t happen but Portsmouth and West Ham fans had Harry in charge once and despite periods of success are now both broken clubs. I’m not saying Harry’s to blame but I do say Harry needs a strong chairman to govern his spending.
