Strengthening for next season.

[mill]

I'm wondering should we try raid liverpool for any potential signings? Even though they flopped a bit this year they've still got some good players who might be tempted to jump ship.

Only Torres and Gerrard would be guaranteed starters, Johnson maybe, Reina's quality but we've got Gomes, mascherano maybe definitely good enough for our squad, Agger if Woody's finished, Carragher's dropped off, thats about it

 

[StartingPrice]

I'm wondering should we try raid liverpool for any potential signings? Even though they flopped a bit this year they've still got some good players who might be tempted to jump ship.

Already been linked with Benayoun - always liked the little fella, not sure he would improve us or get any more game time:shrug:

 

[mill]

I think Torres is the only one I'd be interested in.

I always rated Alonso, but he ain't there any more. And if he was, they wouldn't be in the position they're in imo.

Totally agreed, Alonso said he only left cos benitez tried to sell him to Juventus to replace him with Barry the year before he left, biggest mistake of benitez's career and the start of his downfall. Alonso is one of the best CM's in the world, good enough to be 1st team in any team in the world including Barca, would walk into any premier league team

 

[Mr-T]

If Pav, Keane and Gudj go I think Kuyt maybe worth a punt. We should definitely go for Johnson.

Reina, Gerrard and Torres would be very nice but not going to happen.

Mascherano is the only other one I'd rate.

 

[stemark44]

Just thinking of midfielders and looking at the French Ligue,there are a few teams there that have performed pretty poorly and may be in a weak position now to keep their star players.
Toulouse have Moussa Sissoko who is a powerful midfielder and their top goalscorer with 7 goals.
Boudeaux are in the top 6 but their top scorer Chamakh is definitely leaving this summer and Yoann Gourcuff might be persuaded to go too.
I would suggest that any bids for him should be made before the World Cup kicks off.

 

[shelfsideyid]

If Pav, Keane and Gudj go I think Kuyt maybe worth a punt. We should definitely go for Johnson.

Reina, Gerrard and Torres would be very nice but not going to happen.

Mascherano is the only other one I'd rate.

Can't see a 'fire sale' at Anfield whether Rafa goes or not.

Would be nice to think we could attract Gerrard but can't see it.

Just not sure we could get a 'marquee' type player even with CL football.

Easy to fall into the trap & believe we can become true title contenders in the next season or two, but it's one thing to crack the top 4 in a season where the biggest sides have all been less dominant than usual, but to go up another level is highly unlikely at best.

 

[Mr-T]

Can't see a 'fire sale' at Anfield whether Rafa goes or not.

Would be nice to think we could attract Gerrard but can't see it.

Just not sure we could get a 'marquee' type player even with CL football.

Easy to fall into the trap & believe we can become true title contenders in the next season or two, but it's one thing to crack the top 4 in a season where the biggest sides have all been less dominant than usual, but to go up another level is highly unlikely at best.

Agreed, we need to consolidate what we've got before trying to go further - but at the same time we do need top quality additions in order to reinforce for the extra games the CL will hopefully bring.

I do think we might have a chance of buying a real superstar this summer but I dont think they'll come from pool.

 

[DC_Boy]

i don't think i'd want anyone from pool - because they wouldn't be value for money

 

[spurs_viola]

Said it before and agree with those who think we only really need:

a) an upgrade in attack - a mobile forward who actually scores goals regularly; would like to eventually replace Crouch for a modern, CL quality player. Pav to be a back-up striker as he offers more than Crouch in terms of movement, passing, linking up on the ground, getting into good positions/open spaces and has a better scoring ratio per time played.

b) a dynamic, goalscoring midfielder. Someone like Ozil, as has been mentioned already, would have been a great acquisition. Young (will be 22 in Oct 2010) German international, scoring regularly for club and country (playing a big role in making Germany U-21 European Champions last year), played very well scoring and assisting in goals against England in the U-21 Euro Championships Final, perhaps showing he can cope well with British opposition. Werder Bremen would not sell him unless he demands a move, though.

c) an upgrade on the back-up GK;

For the RB position, Kaboul, Corluka and hopefully Naughton should be quite enough to cover that. Micah Richards is not an upgrade on Kaboul at the moment and seems to be a first season wonder who has become complacent while enjoying the spoils.

For the RW/LW positions, Bale and Modric are doing well on the left and Lennon is the first choice RW. I would still like to remind people that GDS can be a good option as a back-up RM or LM, especially with more European football experience now and being under 21 does not have to be registered for the purposes of quota. Remember, he was good enough to play in the Champions League for Barca v teams like Bayern when they had Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Xavi, Iniesta there.
I believe we have not seen even close to his full potential at Spurs yet, and investing patience and belief in him would pay off in saving 8-10 mil extra spend while developing an undoubted talent into a first team regular.

 

[Knarf44]

When talking about backups for LB, most seem to forget about Kyle Walker. Having read the thread about the new squad rules that come into effect next season I now understand the logic in why we signed the two Kyles.

 

[striebs]

If Pav, Keane and Gudj go I think Kuyt maybe worth a punt. We should definitely go for Johnson.

Reina, Gerrard and Torres would be very nice but not going to happen.

Mascherano is the only other one I'd rate.

Not sure if I'd take anyone from Liverpool .

Even if we could get Gerrard I think he could be a bit of a prima-donna so is not what we really want .

Kuyt on the other hand works his nuts off and pops up with some good goals .

Did you forget about Benayoun or would not want him ?

 

[B0NZ0]

Having watched the game again Kabouls performance has convinced me we don't need richards, he was faultless at the back, and superb going forward. I've not seen many better full back performances over the past couple of games other than Bales!

There are two areas I'm looking for improvements in - 1 x striker in the drogba, rooney, torres, van persie mould. No ideas who, but these are the players that make their team great rather than ordinary.

Secondly I want more goals from the CM's, I love Modric and Hudd but will they score more than 10 goals? I'm not sure. Gerrad would be nice but highly unlikely.

Other than that, I still think a number of youngsters will come to the fore next year, Ryan Mason looks like a potential midfield goal scorer.

 

[thetallaghttiger]

In's:
1 quality midfielder (probably has to be from outside Premier League, though yes to Pienaar if possible)
1 quality forward (again, probably outside the league but maybe Carlton Cole or Bellamy would do!)
1 back-up keeper (if Cudicini can't do the job)
Keep O'Hara


Out's: (though some could be kept)
Jenas
Keane
Hutton
Giovanni
Dervite
Taarabt
Gudjohnsen (wouldn't mind keeping him though if we can't get a quality forward)

 

[mackelman]

Having watched not just the game at Old Trafford but also our home game against Arsenal, and even the recent Man City game (first Half), we still have no-one commanding for central midfield. We were forced, almost for the entirety of some of the games, to watch the opposing team dictate possession of the football. If we are to truly move to the next level, we can't rely on a counter-attacking style of play.
It's time for us, ala Man Utd. to dictate games. Against Utd., Scholes (at the tender age of 35) was able to control the game and dictate play without any Spurs player capable of matching this control. There are not many players like Paul Scholes about who are capable of dictating the pace of a game, but Mikel Arteta is one such person. Everton will be serious challengers for next years 4th spot, and if we have learned anything from Utd. in the last few years (ie Carrick, Berbatov), weaken you're potential challengers! Neither Modric or Huddlestone (however gifted) appears capable of dictating the tempo of a game. Arteta, I believe, is one such person. He's Premiership-hardened, extremely talented and exactly what's required for both fronts.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

For a back up left back - how about Insua from Liverpool, decent player and used to been a squad player.

Dzeko will never happen... but the asking price and the fact that Real Madrid want him... how about a cheeky bid for Higuain or Benzema?

Would someone like Kiessling be seen as an upgrade of Crouch? Or even 22 goal Barrios at Dortmund?

Alternative target man who's got 20 plus goals this season and a realistic target would be Llorente at Athletic Bilbao.

 

[kcmei]

Having watched not just the game at Old Trafford but also our home game against Arsenal, and even the recent Man City game (first Half), we still have no-one commanding for central midfield. We were forced, almost for the entirety of some of the games, to watch the opposing team dictate possession of the football. If we are to truly move to the next level, we can't rely on a counter-attacking style of play.
It's time for us, ala Man Utd. to dictate games. Against Utd., Scholes (at the tender age of 35) was able to control the game and dictate play without any Spurs player capable of matching this control. There are not many players like Paul Scholes about who are capable of dictating the pace of a game, but Mikel Arteta is one such person. Everton will be serious challengers for next years 4th spot, and if we have learned anything from Utd. in the last few years (ie Carrick, Berbatov), weaken you're potential challengers! Neither Modric or Huddlestone (however gifted) appears capable of dictating the tempo of a game. Arteta, I believe, is one such person. He's Premiership-hardened, extremely talented and exactly what's required for both fronts.

If you are looking for a commanding midfiled i think our new signing sandro will be such player.

 

[epfou1]

IN: Sandro (Undisc), Robbie Keane (Loan Return); Tim Cahill (15m); Joe Cole (Free), Mitch Langerak (1m)

OUT: Eider Gudjohsen (Loan Return), Alan Hutton, Jermaine Jenas, Jamie O'Hara, Giovanni, Adel Taraabt (16m combined)

The main purchase I want the team to make is a true replacement for Jenas - a goalscoring midfielder. Tim Cahill is a perfect player for spurs as he scores goals and he is very good in the air at set pieces.

 

[stevenqoz]

I would settle for a tall, classy and slick Bulgarian. I believe in forgiveness especially if the bloke can lead the line and hit 20 goals a season. I genuinely believe that is all we need.

 

[rabbikeane]

When talking about backups for LB, most seem to forget about Kyle Walker. Having read the thread about the new squad rules that come into effect next season I now understand the logic in why we signed the two Kyles.

Walker's a right back / centre back though.

 

[THOWIG]

I think we will sign another defensive minded/central midfielder. Sandro is a decent prospect, but it will take him some time to come to terms with the pace of the Premiership.

Our forwards have to be improved on as they are simply not good enough. Plus I have sneaky feeling we might bid for Anelka.