Season shape-up - Spurs

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campaign

Last updated: 7th July 2008

ramos juande

Ramos: Work in progress

TOTTENHAM TRANSFER ACTIVITY

INS: Modric (Dinamo Zagreb - £15.8m), Giovani dos Santos (Barcelona - £4.7m), Mirko Ranieri (Perugia), Paul-Jose Mpoku (Standard Liege)

OUTS: Radek Cerny (QPR), Leigh Mills (Brentford - loan), Joe Martin (Blackpool), Simon Dawkins (Leyton Orient - loan)

Related links

News

Feature

Teams

Also see

Tottenham have long been touted as the side most capable of breaking the stranglehold of the 'big four' at the top of the Premier League and will be hoping that the 2008/09 campaign sees them begin to fulfil that potential. Chris Burton looks at what Juande Ramos needs to do to take Spurs on to that next level and the new faces which may be heading for White Hart Lane this summer.

What's happened so far

As is custom with Tottenham any player who displays an ounce of ability is automatically touted as the club's next big signing.

In reality, Juande Ramos is far too astute to fall into the trap which has accounted for so many of his predecessors and is resisting the temptation to splash the cash in a manner which has a tendency to produce more Darren Bents than Dimitar Berbatovs.

The Spaniard will be prepared to view last season as a stabilising period, where little could be done about Martin Jol's dismal start to the campaign and Carling Cup glory papered over the cracks of an otherwise disappointing campaign.

However, having seen what he has to work with Ramos will be keen to begin assembling a squad of his own, a close-knit group in the mould of the Sevilla side he led to back-to-back Uefa Cup successes prior to his move to North London.

His Latin roots should ensure that Spurs continue to follow the ethos of old, with attractive football at the heart of the club's principles.

With that in mind it should comes as no surprise that Croatian playmaker Luka Modric was the first arrival at the Lane this summer, a diminutive magician whose eye-catching displays at Euro 2008 should have the Spurs faithful salivating at the prospect of what may be in store come August.

While Modric will be expected to pull the strings in the middle of the park another new recruit, Giovani Dos Santos, will provide the creative influence on the flanks.

Hailed as the next Ronaldinho during his time in the youth ranks at Barcelona, the Mexican teenager may have failed to live up to that billing thus far, but at just 19 there remains every possibility that he could prove to be the long-awaited successor to David Ginola at Tottenham.

With a suitable amount of flair added to the squad, Ramos has also begun to address the problematic issue of who to play in goal.

Paul Robinson and the recently departed Radek Cerny shared keeping duties throughout last season, with neither doing enough to fill their manager with confidence.

As a result, PSV Eindhoven's Heurelho Gomes has been identified as the solution, with the Brazilian international expected to complete an £11million move in the coming weeks.

What they need

With the attack sharpened and the defensive unit set to be strengthened, Ramos would be advised to ship out the dead-wood lingering in his squad.

The likes of Younes Kaboul, Hossam Ghaly, Ricardo Rocha and Pascal Chimbonda are likely to be deemed surplus to requirements next term and should be disposed of in order to generate income which could be better used elsewhere.

With many of the players listed above being defenders it would be foolish not to find direct replacements for those shown the door, with West Ham's Anton Ferdinand seemingly the most likely option, although a fit-again Ledley King and the continued progression of Gareth Bale, Alan Hutton and Chris Gunter could help to fill the voids.

There will undoubtedly be sales this summer and Spurs' future dealings could well be determined by who heads for the exit.

With speculation continuing to suggest that Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Bent may not be around for much longer, combined with the sale of Jermain Defoe to Portsmouth in January, a striker would appear to be high on Ramos' wish list.

Bayern Munich's Lukas Podolski is a name which refuses to go away and the German international may welcome the opportunity to reignite his career in England having found first-team football hard to come by at Allianz Arena.

Diego Milito, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Mario Santana have also been mentioned as possible transfer targets, although Podolski would appear to be the more realistic option.

What they'll get

Gomes' arrival from PSV would seem to be a formality, although further arrivals are hard to call due to the nature of the seemingly endless list of names linked with the club.

A move for the unsettled Podolski seems feasible, while a second approach could be made for Sevilla winger Diego Capel.

Crystal Palace prodigy John Bostock will complete his protracted move from Selhurst Park, while a host of Primera Liga stars should expect to be linked with a switch to the Premier League over the next few weeks.

While the arrivals picture remains unclear, it is the departure lounge which could provide more intriguing viewing.

Ramos will be hoping that Liverpool's interest in Keane proves to be nothing more than paper talk, while Manchester United could resume their interest in Berbatov should the Cristiano Ronaldo saga end in tears for the Red Devils.

Of those whose days appear numbered, Kevin Prince Boateng looks set to join Bundesliga side Stuttgart and Lee Young-pyo could return to PSV.

Michael Dawson is reported to be interesting Newcastle, while Anthony Gardner has drawn admiring glances from ambitious Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

Fan's view - Chris Stout

I am happy with the progress so far. We want Champions League football and I think Ramos will take us there either this year or next. He seems to be attracting some top players to the club such as Modric, Dos Santos and Gomes, but we still need to strengthen certain areas to compete.

Modric can play anywhere across the midfield but looks most comfortable in the centre. I'm guessing Dos Santos will play left wing for us, as we've desperately lacked a left footed player on that side to provide balance. If he doesn't play left wing, we definitely need to sign someone or we will continue to have the same problems that hold England back.

I don't know why we signed Gomes as I don't think he's any improvement on Robinson. We more urgently need (aside from a left winger) a centre-back and a right winger. Woodgate and King are a first-class pairing, but apparently King won't be able to play regularly for fitness reasons, so we need a replacement. Dawson and Kaboul are good but nowhere near Ledley King. We need a right winger because Lennon just isn't good enough. He can't cross and doesn't score enough. Bentley would be perfect.

So, Gomes in goal, Hutton right-back, Woodgate & King centre-backs, Bale left-back, Bentley right-wing, Modric & Jenas/Huddlestone centre-mid, Dos Santos left-wing, Berbatov & Keane must stay, obviously, to play upfront!

Comments

Michael Jones (Arsenal fan) says...

I love it....this year is going to be the year, right?! Seriously Spurs fans, you have some very good players, and providing Modric doesn't turn out to be too lightweight you should have a good year. I think it will be interesting if yourselves, Villa and Everton can continue to push Liverpool for 4th place....don't expect to get anywhere near the Arsenal though, too many weak players!

Posted 22:16 6th July 2008

Luke Brobyn (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Yeah the deadwood needs to be set a drift, now. Other wise spurs might not get the players they want or for the price they want. I think dawson should stay. Good player, just had one bad season, he's scored some critical headers for spurs. Aaron Lennon needs to stay also to develope himself, i beleive him to be under rated. Need keane and berbs to stay. What a lethal pair they make to split them up would deny the footballing world, gluttons of amazingly skilled and worked goals. Reminds me of shades of Sheva(chelsea flop) and Rebrov(spurs flop) back at dynmo. I think the transfer market for spurs will be about who stays at the club, rather then comes in. The signings already have already been about strength to get into champions league and to lose key players after these signing would leave spurs on the ropes for that said dream. The new season holds great hope for me and the rest of whitehart lane. COYS.

Posted 20:03 6th July 2008

John Sullivan (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I agree Robinson has to go. Ramos has done well with the squad. Hope with the new signings and maybe a couple more we'll be up there challenging for the title and a champions leauge place

Posted 19:51 6th July 2008

Steven Lyon (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Agree with most things in article but I certainly wouldnt say Kaboul is good as I think he's been a complete disaster and waste of money, as have Bent (still cant figure that one), Rocha, Boatang and Taarabt. As for breaking into the top four, I dont think selling one of our best players,Robbie Keane to Liverpool would be a very good way to go about it. I'll be gutted if he goes and wish he'd come out and say he's staying or at least wants to. We've brought in Santos and Modric which should really help if we can keep Berbatov and Keane. Otherwise I cant see it. Think its a given Man U,Chelsea and Arsenal will finish top3 so that only leaves Liverpool and with Torres and Keane up front they'll def finish top 4. That said I cant see Rafa playing 442 especially in Champions league so Keane could find himself on the bench. Pretty sure it wont be Torres on the bench. Seems to me Liverpool are trying to buy players just to stop anyone else finishing fourth rather than to improve themselves. Cant see Barry getting on with Mascherrano or Gerrard sitting on bench. But if it ruins Villas and Spurs chances of progressing then they'll be seen as great buys. Come on Spurs. Prove we're serious about finishing in top 4 and dont sell our best players.

Posted 18:56 6th July 2008

Carl Atkinson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I can't see why we need Bentley - undoubtedly he has talent but he's arrogant, a bit hit or miss and will be expensive. I think concentrate on getting Lennon back to what he was developing into before his injuries. Also, investment into a striker to give Berba & Keane a rest is essential as unfortunately Bent appears to be the worst spent money in the transfer market last year. Finally, I am disappointed with the signing of Gomes - for me he is another hot-headed erratic keeper and we should have kept faith in Robbo. Modric and Dos Santos are quality additions.

Posted 17:42 6th July 2008

Jake Cantrill (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I agree with most of the above apart from the goalkeeping situation. Robinson only struggled last year because of one mistake! The Gary Neville back pass/own goal against Croatia has cost Robinson his career, he's an excellent goalkeeper when he has the full support of the management and fans. I hope he goes on to another premiership club, plays regular first team football and gets his form and confidence back. It's the same sort of thing with David James, made a couple of mistakes and he was England's "worst" goalkeeper. Now he's at a club where the management and fans are confident in him and he's playing at the top of his game and he's England's"best" goalkeeper and number one. Moving on.....I think Ramos has secured two of the hottest prospects in world football in Modric and Dos Santos. Modric looked high quality in the Euro's and from what I've seen of Dos Santos he's also high quality. I think with Ramos' spanish connections he should pounce on Valencia's money problems and bring in David Silva for extra class in the middle. I'm not a fan of Jermaine Jenas and think is over rated by many and Huddlestone is a much better player. The players that should go are; Dawson, Kaboul, Lee, Jenas, Tainio, Malbranque, Bent and also Berbatov. He has signalled his intentions to leave and Spurs shouldn't hold onto a player that doesn't want to be at the club. £23 million is a lot of money and that could bring in any class centre forward, someone such as; Milito, Guiza, Villa or even Santa Cruz. Spurs main transfer targets should be an extra centre half, added wide cover (Bentley, Capel, Silva) and a centre forward, not a goalkeeper! Hopefully Ramos makes the right decisions and the Spurs go marching into europe and bring some silverware back!!

Posted 16:53 6th July 2008

Kenny Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Good Article.I definately would not lose sleep over Berbatov leaving the Lane before the new term, we can replace him. I can't say the same about Robbie Keane though.We must keep him.Plain and Simple, a legend here who needs to be a priority to stay.Darren Bent can't possibly play any worse than he did last term, so there should be opportunities for him to redeem himself.Bale's back, definately an asset,Alan Hutton will only get better.Ledley's overall longegivity is questionable,eventhough I tend to agree that He and Woodgate are pure quality and the backbone of the side.I would really love to see Bentley at Spurs, Wenger's lose could well be Tottenham's gain.He would love the style of football played at the Lane and truly excel here with Modric and Dos Santos, they collectively will bring undoubted flair and creativity to Tottenham, and Robbie would love the openings,alongside him they would create. I was witness to Gomes and our demise from UEFA last term, again another sure quality buy for Ramos. Although I'm far to cute to make assumptions of our possible chances this coming season, looking at the gathering we now have here, I must be optimistic.Realisically breaking the strangehold of the Top 4 is nothing short of a big ask, but if Spurs are ever to achieve Ramos's and the Spurs Faithful's dream then surely now must be the time.In all honesty though we need Robbie Keane to be there fighting with us, for us. Then it certainly do able. COYS

Posted 16:40 6th July 2008

Gareth Palframan (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Although i agree with most of the above i really do think it,s time for Ledley King to quit, he,s obviously not going to stay fit for more than two matches at a time and the money could be used to pay for a top defender and by that i don,t mean Anton Ferdinand, he,s not a patch on his brother and no better than Dawson or Kaboul. We need to keep Robbie Keane as he appitomises what it means to be loyal and play for the shirt, Berba can go if man u stump up 30 mil otherwise tell them to sling it.I think it might just be time for us to step it up a gear and i beleive Juande Ramos is the man to take us there.

Posted 15:12 6th July 2008

Ben Celebrity grouse (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Some good points made. But Surely we need a defensive midfielder! Zokora doesn't fit the bill! And I cant see Jenus changing his ways or modric. Maybe the hud could get stuck in a bit, he's big enough! However I would like to see us sign someone solid and experianced like Albelda! With that covered we have all the attacking qualities to push for fourth. Oh and if Keane goes then that would be the most Unbelievably, catastrophic, ridiculous, moronic buisness I have ever seen!

Posted 14:47 6th July 2008

Jaimie Hepburn (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Great article. I also think we're missing width on the left. Capel seems like a good option or perhaps Podolski who did very well for Germany on the left and provides another option up front. I'm not so keen on Bently myself. I think he's over rated and isn't half the player he thinks he is. I'd be happier with a left winger and Malbranque pushing Lennon. Hopefully he'll have developed his game over the off season.

Posted 12:45 6th July 2008

James Coventry (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

A ball winner anyone? I just feel that with attacking fullbacks like Hutton and Bale and a midfield that includes Modric, Dos Santos and possibly Bentley needs a real holding player in there. Zokora just does not do it consistently enough for me. Someone like Senna getting his hands dirty in the middle would give us license to continue to play our attacking style but ease the pressure on the defence. We were a great attacking side last season but now we must learn how to become great defensively too.

Posted 12:45 6th July 2008

Ged Ando (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Agree with most of above. I would sell lennon as his end product isnt great , maybe offer him in part ex for bentley , A fit back four of Hutton , Bale , King and Woodgate would look very strong but how many times will that lot be fit and available at the same time. Dawson isnt too bad but ''not too bad'' doesn't get you champions league footy. Dos Santos looked pretty good in patches for Barca and Modric could become a spurs idol if he takes to the premier league. The back four mentioned above with Modric , Bentley , Jenas and Dos Santos and Berba and Keane up front looks a really strong team on paper. Hope it happens . Got to be looking to finish 5th this season with a slight shout of top four but we said that last season

Posted 12:10 6th July 2008

Greekos Yid (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Good article. Couple of things that I disagree with but still a good article. Priority is an experienced DM. We have Huddlestone to play that position but someone with more experience would be ideal to help bring his game along. Then our starting eleven would be top quality. After that we would need another experienced back up CB in case Ledley or Woody get injured or both get injured then there is still someone to lead the line to let Dawson to play his game. After that then we would need to increase the competition on the flanks then we would be ready to challenge for at least top 4 and all of the cups that we enter. Not meaning that we will win them all but we would definately be up their in the semis of finals. We wont get all the transfers we need in this summer and if all the players live up to their potential then we would be challenging for the league. Of course for this group to realize its potential would take at least 3 seasons so I'm not jumping the gun just contemplating the ifs. With Ramos in charge I think that we can definitely establish ourselves among the elite of English football. Most importantly of all we need to keep Ramos for at least 5-6 season for all of this to come together and the board need to back him to the hilt even if us the fans get on his back. That is the only way that Spurs can become the club that we all think and know it can be. In Ramos I trust.

Posted 11:48 6th July 2008

Stuart Jeffrey (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

OK so firstly there is no way Juande will let Keane go.......unless Liverpool come in with 25m plus. I think Berba will stay (probably against his will...) and we all know him a Keane are lethal up top. For me the key signings are two wingers and a GK. Not sure how good this Gomez is at PSV and I must admit to prefering a European keeper with less eccentricity....Foster/Carson could do a job. As for wingers I would love to see Bentley and Capel at the club. Then that leaves Modric and Jenas/Big Tom in the middle.....althought I still question how good they are. Jenas is just too inconsistent and Big Tom while great technically is really lacking the pace/stamina for the prem. See how he progresses this year now he isnt Very Big Tom anymore. Personally if we get top 6 I will be happy! Ramos is a great coach and I am glad he is not rushing in to make the signings straight away!

Posted 11:32 6th July 2008

Christopher Tanousis (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Good summary, however I disagree with the fan's view. Paul Robinson HAD to be replaced as anyone within 30 yards could rightly expect to score with a shot on target, which cost us far too many times. As for Aaron Lennon, I would agrue that-at 21- he is an asset and certain performances against Manchester United at home, Ar5ena1 in the famous semi-final and his second half at Wembley show that his problems can be resolved with dedicated training over the summer which Ramos is famed for putting in place, saying that Bentley's arrival would add a deadly new dimension (though I am unsure whether we have that already with Modric's eye for a pass). It promises to be a very interesting campaign. So long as captain Ledley King remains fit and Robbie Keane stays, we Spurs fans can allow ourselves to be slightly optimistic...well, maybe! COME ON YOU SPURS!

Posted 10:27 6th July 2008

Dane Hughes (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

spurs look ever more attacking this season but we must kep hold of keane he is the heart beat of our team gomes is a great signing while modric will run the mid field we do need a right winger tho hopefully we can get bentley, lennons fast but just carnt cross the ball but every player ramos brings in he has 100% backing from me

Posted 10:15 6th July 2008

Bob Redick (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

An excellent article but I think the inclusion of Diego Capel is an absolute must. Dos Santos is undoubtedly a superb talent but his versatility would suggest to me that he is the player to fill in either up front or anywhere accross midfield in the event of injury or tacticle requirements. He will need to be included as soon as possible to both avoid discontent and to keep the rest of the squad on their toes as he could and should be utilised in different positions. The inclusion of Capel would give Tottenham the superior width that all great attacking teams require and this coupled with the impending capture of Bentley would make all Spurs games a veritable goal fest, for Spurs of course. All in all the coming season bodes well for Tottenham Hotspur and the management of Mr Ramos should see Spurs attain a top four position in the premier league that has been eveding them for too long.

Posted 10:13 6th July 2008

Page 1 of 1

Add Comment*

All fields are required

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

Character Count : 0/1950

Please tick here if you wish to receive emails relating to Sky Sports.com or any other companies, services or products related to Sky Sports.com

Please send me the weekly Sky Sportszine - exclusive content, features and competitions to my inbox every Friday.

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private