Blessing in Disguise

Why PSG’s interest in AVB will benefit us in the long run.

Daniel Levy is an enigma.

There is no doubt that his shrewd negotiating and eye for a bargain has served Tottenham very well at times over the past few seasons in helping to secure cracking signings and provide us all with our fair share of deadline day drama, particularly in the case of Rafa van der Vaart.

However there is no denying that his brinksmanship and sometimes unwavering reluctance to budge from what he perceives as “the right price” has hurt our cause to consistently claim a seat at Europe’s top table. For the last few seasons, we as spurs fans have been waiting for our side to push on and become one of the big boys. And for us do that, Levy must be prepared to pay the big boy money.

This is where PSG and their ridiculous transfer fund come in. I don’t think any of us take their advances for the services of our manager seriously and I think we’re all convinced that AVB’s head remains well and truly unturned.

But. It would be good to see the Portuguese use this PSG approach as a way of forcing Levy’s hand.

Levy loves Villas-Boas. He gave AVB another chance at a top club despite his short-lived and much maligned tenure at Chavski and for that Daniel Levy was rewarded with our highest ever points total (a total that would usually see us finish 3rd) and a clear showing of AVBs ability to turn good players into great ones despite inheriting a squad that had just been gutted.
AVB would get the money to launch an assault on Europe if he were to take the PSG job. He needs to make it clear to Levy that if he is to stay as Tottenham boss then Levy needs to back him in the transfer market.

Appointing Baldini into the role of sporting director is a positive move. It brings to the forefront a system of management that AVB is far more used to and one that the Portuguese had been clamouring for throughout the previous season.

Baldini should give us an extra “oomph!” in the transfer market and should kick-start our dealings this summer but this is only the beginning. Levy still has work to do to convert this “promising intent” into results.

The key step/demand is short, simple and obvious: Keep hold of Bale irrespective of offer. We’ll never be able to secure a player of his calibre again.

Secondly, no more holding out. Levy needs to bite the bullet and get the cheque book out before Villas-Boas gets even more frustrated (particularly after missing on Moutinho.)

The persistent rumours of imminent bids for Brazilians Paulinho and Bernard bode well, but on top of this Levy needs a consistent goal and should look to make this his first priority.

The threat of losing his beloved manager should SPUR (see what I did there) the chairman into making a move for at least one of (and hopefully two of) Leandro Damiao, Erik Lamela, David Villa and Roberto Soldado and convince him from doing the Levy-esque thing i.e. a deadline day, panic-induced, smacking-of-desperation splurge for Gareth Barry.