Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that the clubs have started operating much more strategically in the transfer market due to the stronger financial restrictions that have been imposed, but he insisted that we will have to wait and see if it lasts.
The Premier League have demonstrated recently a willingness to punish clubs who fall foul of the Profit and Sustainability rules, with Everton being hit with a ten-point deduction earlier this season.
As a result, there has been a noticeable drop in spending among English top-flight sides this month, with even big clubs being wary of not falling foul of the financial regulations.
That has perhaps levelled the playing field a bit and Postecoglou admitted that the signs are that clubs have become a lot more strategic in their transfer decisions and no longer make signings for the sake of it.
When asked if this is likely to be the new normal going forward, Postecoglou told Football.London: “It’s hard to say if this is the new world.
“Obviously, there are financial parameters dictating how these windows work. We might have to replace you guys [the media] with the finance section of your organisations. It may or may not, it may be that people are just looking for the summer to make significant moves rather than something short-term.
“But maybe the way clubs are working is sort of changing. I think there are more strategic decisions and less not panic buys but desperation just to bring anybody in, or just buy someone. I think clubs are being a little bit more strategic now in these moves.
“I also think there’s very little secrets out there. If you went through all the Premier League clubs and snatched their list of 18-21 targets I don’t think there would be a lot of difference between them all.
“There aren’t many out there now. That’s changed things a little bit. “Everyone’s a little bit more cagey and strategic. Will it last? Maybe. I don’t know but that’s certainly the indication I get at the moment.”
The stricter financial rules perhaps play into the hands of Tottenham, who have always maintained a modest wage bill and spent within their means.
When asked if Spurs have an advantage over their rivals, given the way they operate and due to the revenue-generating potential of a multi-use stadium, Postecoglou responded: “It helps, and it’s a credit to the club that we got ourselves in that position but that’s not what clubs are measured by. They’re measured by other things.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Tottenham are in a position to flex their financial muscles over the next couple of windows and make some big signings, knowing that the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, and Arsenal do not have much leeway to compete with them on players.