With Harry Kane to Bayern Munich looking more and more likely with every passing second, Levy must not waste the hundred-plus million pounds we receive.
10 years ago, we sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for 86 million pounds. With that money, we signed 7 players. Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela, Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Nacer Chadli.
The fact Christian Eriksen was the only good bit of business on that list is an absolute disgrace. Yes, the argument is there that Lamela and Chadli were good bit part players for the club, but for the price tag of Lamela especially, it was disappointing. As for the other names in the list, they are better to not be mentioned at all.
The only good thing that came out of that season was the HP kits.
Unlike then, now we have a side that does have talent (in areas). We have several exceptional players but then that is countered by our lack of good-quality defenders.
Should Kane go, and it is worth noting that it isn’t a dead certain he’s leaving this window at the time of writing, here is a simple way of using the money…
Sign two central defenders
The saga that has felt like it’s dragged on for years now, our hapless pursuit of a partner for Cuti Romero. Fabrizio Romano has tweeted the exact same thing about our efforts to sign Edmond Tapsoba or Micky Van De Ven for the past month. Always mentioning the deal “isn’t easy and Spurs are actively working on it” (Fabrizio Romano).
There was a depressing tweet doing the rounds the other day that said we had only permanently signed 3 centre-backs since the arrival of Toby Alderweireld in 2015, two of those being Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon. Enough said. Unacceptable for a club with aspirations of a top 4 place or winning a piece of silverware.
With the influx of funds hopefully being made available if Kane goes, there will be no excuse to not get a Tapsoba + another or Van De Ven + another, or if Levy is feeling adventurous, both of them.
Sign another striker or trust Richy?
After a sub-par first season in North London, our record transfer might finally be given a run of games in his proper position.
Last season Richarlison scored 1 goal in the Premier League and 2 goals in the Champions League (TransferMarkt). Hardly impressive numbers considering he got booked more times for taking his top off celebrating a disallowed goal than actual goals being scored.
However, after playing all but one of his games in his unnatural position on the wings and struggling with persistent injuries whenever he has had a run of games in the team, as well as playing in a dysfunctional team that had 3 managers, it is harsh to make an overall judgement on that season.
After his second-half hat trick against Lion City Sailors, the Brazilian was all smiles and looked finally happy to wear the Lilywhite shirt. In this match and against West Ham it was quite clear to see the difference in playing style between him and Kane, with Richy having much more success.
Richarlison is exactly the type of player that works effectively in an Ange Postecoglou system, where he keeps the defenders on their toes and is willing to make the runs in between the defenders, unlike Kane where he drops deep into midfield positions.
Alternatives
Now, if we were to have money left over, another striker to provide competition for our number nine wouldn’t go a miss. I’m sure Sonny would thrive in this position, but another acquisition in the centre forward department would be smart.
One name linked is Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani (RMC Sport). The 24-year-old Frenchman scored 15 goals and got 11 assists in 32 Bundesliga matches last term and fits the criteria of a quick, competent striker who can carry the ball extremely well and break through the defensive lines. He is to command a lofty price tag though, should they be willing to sell.
Although there is no replacing Harry, and it will be a bitterly sad day if he goes, Ange is the best manager we have had in recent times to lead us into a post-Kane era and move on to an exciting era of front foot, attacking football. It certainly isn’t all doom and gloom as long as Levy handles this correctly…
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