Paul Robinson believes Spurs’ transfer failure came back to haunt them against Chelsea

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Tottenham will be left ruing their failure to land Chelsea striker Oliver Giroud in the January transfer window after the striker helped the Blues down Spurs 2-1 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Tottenham were heavily linked with a move for Giroud in the final days of the transfer window (Daily Mail) but the Frenchman ended up staying put at Chelsea as Spurs failed to sign a striker before the transfer deadline.

With Tammy Abraham not being fit enough to start for the home side, Frank Lampard handed Giroud a rare start against Spurs this afternoon and the striker put in a typically industrious display up front, keeping the Spurs centre-halves busy.

He got in-behind the Spurs rearguard in the 15th minute and, after seeing his initial shot saved by his compatriot Hugo Lloris, the ball came back to the striker after a scramble and he put it away expertly.

He continued to be a handful for Tottenham’s three central defenders until he was replaced by Abraham towards the end of the game.

Robinson believes Spurs’ failure to land Giroud has ended up costing them due to their lack of options up front, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min both out with long term injuries.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former England number 1 said: “It was widely spoken about that they tried to get a striker in the window, tried to get Giroud.

“I think he would have been the perfect fit with the way that he plays and the way that he plays for France. He leads the line and allows three behind him – Mbappe, Griezmann and whoever else it is – to do the damage.

“He occupies the central defenders, it’s the same system as what Jose plays. With Harry Kane out, it showed the lack of attacking options.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While I’m sure Jose would have liked to get Giroud in, Chelsea clearly weren’t willing to sell him unless they themselves signed a striker. We are certainly in an extremely difficult situation for the rest of the season without a recognised forward. I just don’t see where the goals are going to come from to get us top four.

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