The January transfer window has finally concluded, and Spurs were once again active in both incomings and outgoings, but was it a successful window?
Tottenham desperately needed a form of investment on the squad in this transfer window and the club delivered on their promise and showed some intent to progress.
Here is a full list of Tottenham's incomings and outgoings explained with my thoughts on each transfer in detail:
IN:
Danjuma (Loan, €30m option)
The Dutch attacker was an effective addition, particularly with Lucas Moura's contract expiring. The attacker is positive,, can take on a man and has a decent finishing ability. If this is a success, the option is hopefully triggered.
Pedro Porro (Loan, €45m obligation)
A superb signing in an area that lacked any form of top quality. The wing-back certainly suits Conte's system and should help to provide an improvement at both ends of the pitch. The best signing this January.
Jude Soonsup-Bell (undisc)
One for the future. Jude has a fantastic record at youth level with Chelsea and should drastically improve our academy. Tottenham likely see him as a future starter if he develops well. A good signing, albeit slightly anticlimactic on the surface.
OUT:
Bryan Gil (Loan, Sevilla)
A bizarre return back to the club Spurs purchased Bryan Gil from. He went on loan to Spain last year and came back the exact player he did before he left. He needed game-time, but Spain was not the place to go. Gil has to improve physically to improve.
Djed Spence (Loan, Stade Rennes)
A good decision to let Spence go out on loan. The wing-back was practically exiled from Conte's squad for most of the season and needed to leave on loan. However, with Rennes' captain being their right back, I am concerned as to where Spence fits in for regular game time.
Matt Doherty (Free, Atlético Madrid)
A calamity from Spurs, who were unbeknown that they had reached their limit on international loans. Doherty's future at Spurs was not clear, but releasing the Irishman is a disappointing ending. If he develops under Simeone like Trippier did, the club may regret this one later down the line.
Harvey White (Loan, Derby County)
A player which needed to be getting regular game-time. A promising prospect from our academy who can practically play anywhere, White should be able to help Derby achieve promotion and improve his game simultaneously.
Time to reveal the official rating out of our window, which has been calculated based on the decisions made, the quality of signings and the efficiency used in the window.
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW RATING: 6.5/10
There were positives and negatives in this window, which will be evaluated below.
Positives:
1. Improved depth in attack and covered potential departures
Danjuma is extemely versatile, and can cover the absences/departures of Gil and Lucas. He can also create competition against poorly-performing Heung-Min Son.
2. Fixed the obvious right back issue with a quality signing
Pedro Porro has the quality to be the best wing back in the league. Emerson Royal was never good enough, and this signing drastically improves the team.
3. Offloaded players who needed play time elsewhere (Spence, White)
Djed Spence and Harvey White deserved play-time at another club, and both will get their opportunity to prove themselves to Conte.
4. Focused on loans which risks spending unnecessary cash
Similarly to last January, Spurs have spent minimal cash and focused on loans, a less risky technique to signing players and won't spend unnecessary funds at a time where cash is tight.
Negatives:
1. Let Doherty leave on a free, who was perfectly capable of being an effective backup
Matt Doherty leaving in the fashion he did was a disaster. The Irishman was always a reliable right wing-back. An error which reflects the running of the club, perhaps.
2. Sent Gil to Spain again, a place which offers no development for the player
As I have previously mentioned, Gil going back to exactly where he started his career is a reflection on his stop-start career so far.
3. Failed to sign a centre back, a position which is lacking quality
There were centre backs that were available on the market, undoubtedly. Heading into a crucial part of the season with Eric Dier and Clement Lenglet as starters simply is not good enough. It seems the club will sign centre backs in the summer.
4. Spent far too long on one deal (Porro) which meant focus couldn’t be placed on other positions
The dragged out negotiations of Porro's deal was painful, and surely held back the potential to do further business. Spurs have to be quicker and more efficient in the future.
Evaluation:
It felt like a window which just could’ve been better, but was another important one. It was extremely similar to our window the year before where we got through two players in positions we desperately needed.
I would’ve loved a centre back, but I guess we will have to wait for the summer window. Piero Hincapie might’ve tipped me to a 8 or even a 9, but we will have to wait until the summer to see if that is a possibility.
I think deadline day was one mismanaged mess from board level. Letting Matt Doherty was not in the players or the club’s plan, and a pretty messy situation. I hope for a proper goodbye for the player because I think he served us fantastically.
Signing Danjuma was intelligent. Gil’s future is uncertain and Lucas is guaranteed to leave. If Danjuma proves himself, we could play a part in a swap deal with Lo Celso. Smart.
It’s important that the summer window is effective and has investment, but this window was simply slightly above satisfactory in conclusion.
コメント