Filed under: Tottenham, Premier League, Football
Harry Redknapp made it clear at the end of last season that he was looking for one or two signings to make the difference and get Tottenham back into the top four of the Premier League.The search for a big-name arrival looks likely to drag beyond the start of the campaign, with Brad Friedel's arrival on a free transfer being the only high-profile transfer and the rest of the club's purchases being for players with potential for the future.
Instead, the focus has been on whether Spurs will keep their best players. Luka Modric has made it clear he wants to leave White Hart Lane for Chelsea but chairman Daniel Levy has insisted the Croatia midfielder is not for sale at any price.
Chelsea are still interested in Modric but Spurs will be seen as weak if they cave in and accept a bid. It would be a similar situation if a club made an appropriately large approach for Wales winger Gareth Bale following his dazzling campaign in the Champions League.
Tottenham 2010-11 Season Match Log: Previews, Live Commentaries and Reports
Despite holding onto these key players, the omens are not good for Spurs as Redknapp has been frustrated in the transfer market and will start with more or less the same team that finished the last season, aside from Friedel competing with Heurelho Gomes in goal.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have invested heavily, Chelsea opted for exciting young talent, while Spurs look likely to be negotiating close to the transfer deadline again.
It backfired for them dramatically in January when they were poised to sign Charlie Adam from Liverpool but failed to get the paperwork completed in time. They also failed in a bid for Everton's Phil Neville.
But Spurs also have an existing team good enough to finish fifth last season after a title challenge tailed off, and a path back into the Champions League places could be a straight fight between them and rivals Arsenal. It could rest on which club can keep their key players.
Tottenham 2010-11 Season Match Log: Previews, Live Commentaries and Reports
THE NEW (AND OLD) MEN:
Ins: Brad Friedel (Aston Villa) free; Souleymane Coulibaly (AC Siena) undisclosed; Cristian Ceballos (Barcelona) undisclosed.
Outs: Jamie O'Hara (Wolves) £5 million; Jonathan Woodgate (Stoke) free; Steven Caulker (Swansea) loan; Bongani Khumalo (Reading) loan; Kyle Naughton (Norwich) loan; Paul-Jose M'Poku (Standard Liege) undisclosed; Ryan Mason (Doncaster) loan; Jon Obika (Yeovil) loan.
Summary: Surprisingly quiet time at Spurs since the season ended. Even players who were expected to leave - such as David Bentley, Giovani dos Santos and Alan Hutton - are still at the club and will be looking for moves before the transfer window closes.
Expect a frantic finale to the window for Spurs. They tend to leave it late, as they did last season when Rafael van der Vaart arrived at the last minute. That deal proved there is value in late moves.
THE MAIN MEN:
Goalkeepers: Competition has increased following Friedel's arrival. It will put pressure on Gomes after a series of high-profile blunders last season. By the end of the campaign, Carlo Cudicini was given his chance and Gomes was on the bench. B
Defence: Ledley King's fitness is always a concern so Redknapp may need an extra central defender to support Michael Dawson and William Gallas. Kyle Walker returns from his loans last season and will compete for a place at full back after forcing his way into the England squad. B
Midfield: Plenty of pace down the flanks with Aaron Lennon and Bale, plus Modric pulling the strings centrally providing he stays at the club. Sandro has emerged as a player of potential and will compete with Tom Huddlestone for a starting place when he returns from injury. Van der Vaart supports a lone striker. A-
Attack: Not enough goals last season and Redknapp has not freshened up his attack. Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko have been linked with moves away, while Robbie Keane expects to leave. C+
THE GAMES:
Start With: Everton, home, August 13: There have been violent disturbances in the Tottenham area and police need to confirm the match will go ahead.
End With: Fulham, home, May 13: Comes at the end of a favourable run-in. Spurs' final league game against one of the league's traditional heavyweights comes in March.
The Big One in Between: Arsenal, home, October 2: First clash of the season for the north London rivals. Both league matches were thrilling in the last campaign.
THE FANS:
Most likely to say: "We can overtake Arsenal with a couple of signings."
Least likely to say: "We don't need Modric or Bale."
Expectation rating: **** Spurs have had a taste of Champions League football and there is an expectation for it to become regular, even if other clubs are spending more than them ahead of the season.
Reality check: ** As well as a lack of signings, there is the looming prospect of Redknapp leaving to take the England job at the end of the season.
THE NUMBERS:
Title Odds: 50/1
Relegation Odds: 250/1
Fanhouse Predition: 4th
Last season's form:
League: 5th
FA Cup: 4th round
League Cup: 3rd round
Top League Scorers: Van der Vaart 13, Pavlyuchenko 10, Bale 7
Discipline: Yellow 51, Red 2
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