I admire Tottenham’s stance in the Emmanuel Adebayor transfer story, which hasn’t yet built up the reputation to be called a “saga.” In the wake of these difficult negotiations, is it worth it for Spurs just to avoid high-profile signings are pursue relative unknowns?
The Togo international is making life increasingly difficult for himself, while not really acknowledging that there isn’t much of a queue for his services. He’ll never reach the heights he set with Arsenal in the 2007/08 season, and his contribution for Spurs last season, while good, was not spectacular.
In fact, what are Tottenham getting from Adebayor to warrant compensating for his inflated Manchester City wages, as well a chunk of the transfer fee? I’ve been over this one before and stated that Tottenham were wasting their time with a player who was more mercenary than consistent 20-goal-a-season striker. He’s seen his value increased only due to previous interest from AC Milan and Barcelona, and Manchester City were the only team willing to throw all that cash at him when they did. Everyone else could see that here is not a player worth £32 million in the transfer market—a fee that Arsenal initially set.
But I’m not really convinced that Spurs should be soured by this experience with Adebayor and steer clear of big names altogether. I also believe it’s a myth that you need established superstars to really convince everyone else you’re an ambitious club. If a player is good, then he’s a good addition.
Jan Vertonghen wasn’t chased by Barcelona or AC Milan, two clubs who need another centre-back, and yet people may ask the question if he’s really that good. Can we consider Tottenham a title challenging side, despite what happened last season? If not, then why is a highly thought of defender from Ajax moving to them? I’m not having it, Vertonghen is a well-known player in Europe, who has shown that he’ll be an excellent buy for Spurs. Instead of the player bettering himself by going to Manchester United or Barcelona, why not look at it as Spurs greatly upgrading their defensive unit with a fantastic signing ahead of everyone else.
The deal took some time to finalise but it was nowhere near the headache Spurs are getting from Adebayor. A respectable fee and wages that aren’t going to send the club spiralling into oblivion over the course of the contract. Vertonghen is a good example that well-known players can be successfully pursued by Spurs.
Rafael van der Vaart is another who arrived with little fuss and little spent on the transfer. An extremely well-known player who commanded a lot of attention prior to his surprise move to Hamburg. Tottenham were fortunate to get him when they did, although he is arguably more of a luxury player now.
I’ll go back to the Adebayor situation and say that he’d give Real Madrid a tough time if they decided to re-new their interest in him. And maybe that’s all Spurs need; the player is not good enough for Manchester City or Real Madrid, so why bother.
It’s always easy to pick up players like Dimitar Berbatov due to them not being too prominent on the European stage, and there’s certainly a level of satisfaction in knowing that your club has landed a player like that from under the noses of the bigger clubs. But it shouldn’t mark the trend for the foreseeable future, especially if Spurs really want to raise some eyebrows.
Perhaps it’s also a better statement of a club’s scouting network if the club can snap up highly talented players ahead of much bigger or better clubs. Newcastle have done a fantastic job of doing so, and none of their targets gave them a headache prior to a move to the Premier League.
Adebayor is and should be viewed as an isolated problem. I’m not impressed by his lack of interest to get back on the pitch and earn a decent stay and at top club. His motivations seem to be beyond titles and doing well for his club, and Tottenham should not be deterred by a player who simply is not worth it.
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