Tottenham must look at completing their transfer business earlier during the window.
On the summer deadline day in the 2016-17 season, Tottenham secured the signature of former Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko for a then club record fee of £30 million (according to the BBC). What was more interesting though, was on the same day, Daniel Levy had offered £16 million for the same player.
However, Everton decided to match Newcastle’s valuation for the midfielder (which was £30 million), prompting Levy to up his bid by £14 million on deadline day.
Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham Hotspur and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur shake hands
During the same window, Liverpool paid £25 million for Georginio Wijnaldum a player Tottenham were actively interested in before Liverpool swooped in for the Dutchman (as he revealed in an interview with the Sun).
Wijnaldum had 9 assists and 6 goals to his name last season, where as Sissoko has just the two assists.
Fast-forward 12 months and Spurs officially signed Davinson Sanchez, their first incoming transfer this season on 23rd August (according to the BBC), seven days before the end of the transfer window.
Jesse Lingard of Manchester United is tackled by Davinson Sánchez
Manager Mauricio Pochettino in a press conference (reported by the Sun) last week, admitted that he would like four players to join before the window ends. Tottenham, so far have confirmed just the two.
It is safe to say that it is not ideal for managers to have an incomplete squad. Harry Kane, in an interview with the Independent, admitted he would like the transfer window closed before the start of the season, “Me personally I think that would be good (closing the window before the start of the season). I think when the season starts it would be good if everyone is where they are at. You get on with the season”.
Why then does Daniel Levy leave Spurs transfer business until the end? Being an astute businessman as he is, he might save the odd quid, but it does hamper the squad in the first month of the campaign. Last season, Tottenham won just one of their three games in August, and Sissoko’s move proves that it doesn’t always save the club money.
Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur
Jose Mourinho, notoriously a fast starter in the League, historically finishes his transfer business early. Although, it might not be possible for all clubs to replicate the blueprint, leaving it as late as Tottenham tend to do every year is definitely not a good idea.
Spurs must revisit their long term transfer strategy and must look to complete their transfer business early.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
