Dharmabum
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Spurs used to go for the full English... so, why have they now lost their homegrown appetite?
By Neil Ashton
PUBLISHED: 23:00 GMT, 2 July 2013 | UPDATED: 07:34 GMT, 3 July 2013
This is a sequence of Tottenham’s incoming transfers of English players over the past decade: 5, 3, 5, 2, 3, 4, 4, 0, 1, 1.
There was a time when Tottenham were considered to be the vanguard for buying young, English talent. It was a deliberate strategy by chairman Daniel Levy.
Everyone, from agents to players and managers of other clubs, were aware that Tottenham were in the market for young English players. Levy earmarked potential and then hoped that their re-sale value would soar as they flourished at White Hart Lane.
The trend was obvious, but there must be something wrong with the development of young players in this country when Spurs are turning their back on English talent.
In 2003-04, Spurs signed Bobby Zamora, Michael Brown, Jermain Defoe, Paul Robinson and Sean Davis. A year later they signed three more English stars: Michael Carrick, Calum Davenport and Michael Dawson.
Five more, Wayne Routledge, Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas and Danny Murphy, arrived the following season. In 2006-07 Ben Alnwick and Darren Bent signed; Danny Rose, Dean Parrett and Jonathan Woodgate a year later.
John Bostock, David Bentley, Jake Livermore and Defoe, for a second time, arrived at White Hart Lane in 2008-09. They continued their buying policy in 2009-10 with the purchase of Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Peter Crouch and back-up keeper Jimmy Walker.
And then the well dried up.
In the past three seasons Spurs have signed 18 players and only two of them – Scott Parker and Grant Hall – have been English. Parker was an established England international when he arrived from West Ham after they were relegated. Hall, who was signed from Brighton, is yet to make an impact at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham are going elsewhere for their players and it’s a reflection of a diminishing talent pool in England. Many of the players Levy signed, particularly in the early phase of his strategy, went on to become England internationals.
Carrick, Defoe, Robinson, Huddlestone, Jenas, Lennon and Dawson have all represented their country over the past decade, with varying degrees of success. Carrick, who was named Manchester United’s player of the year last season, still isn’t even first choice for his country.
Defoe is always around the England squad, but the international careers of Robinson, Huddlestone and Jenas are probably over. With the decline of the national team, being an England player is no longer guaranteed to get them a place in a top Premier League team.
Some of the young talent, such as Bentley and Bostock, have been cast adrift after failing to fulfil their potential. Bentley is notable for only two things as a Spurs player: his 30-yard strike against his former club Arsenal in 2008 and pouring a bucket of water over Harry Redknapp when they qualified for the Champions League.
Bostock, who joined from Crystal Palace shortly after his 16th birthday, was released at the end of the season following five unproductive years at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham remain in the market for English players, but they are not willing to take a risk on them. Last season head coach Andre Villas-Boas wanted to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. Technical co-ordinator Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand became regulars at Palace’s games in the Championship, but they weren’t convinced.
They know he has talent, enough to persuade Manchester United to pay £15m for him, but Zaha offered no guarantees.
It’s the reason Spurs are turning their attentions elsewhere, focusing on foreign players as they prepare for another challenge on the top four. This summer they are signing Paulinho from Corinthians and he is expected to take Parker’s place in the central midfield next season. He’s another foreign import and the Brazilian midfielder will be surrounded by players of all nationalities next season.
Parker can leave this summer and Huddlestone is also vulnerable as Villas-Boas makes changes before the start of the season. They have had good careers at Spurs and have also made the transition to play for their country at various times. Sadly, being good enough for England no longer comes with any guarantees.
