Difference is, you're coming up with far-fetched rubbish whereas what I wrote is perfectly plausible and history suggests that the glacial nature of our chairman's low-ball negotiations is likely to give other teams all the time they need to steal players from under our noses. Not to mention the selling teams losing patience with us.
"a concern for one's club's transfer policy in the face of experiences that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. If you choose to rationalise them due to extinct circumstances you are crazy." Is this what you believe, Yossarian?
Part of me wouldn’t hate that scenario. One more year with Eriksen is better than not having him. He’s one of the most elite players in Europe in his position and we won’t be able to replace him with someone of the same quality, we could only hope that we can replace him with quality in other areas that can then make up for the loss. Unless we sign de Bruyne, there’s not another playmaker in Europe right now that is better or on a par with Eriksen (unless you include Hazard as a number ten).
I’ve seen reports suggesting that we could be looking at a 4 year contract extension, as his departure isn’t so clear cut anymore. Apparently he was interviewed again recently and said “I’m not dropping any more bombs”. Seemed that he was keeping his options open to staying with us, and didn’t want to say anything to jeopardise that further.
It’s also worth pointing out that he didn’t entirely rule out staying at Spurs in his first interview either. Yes, it's not nice knowing a player would prefer to leave but in his interview he's quite open and honest with what he said. If he leaves Spurs he'd want it to be for a step up and Madrid would represent that - and I think all Spurs fans can grit our teeth and admit that - he then says if they don't come in for him then the possibility of signing a new contract is there. Granted, we're made to feel second best but in the grand scheme of things, every single one of our players would likely jump at the opportunity to play for Madrid, that's just the way the food chain works in football and Madrid sit at the very top of it.
Of course, if he did sign a new contract after his open flirting with Los Ladrones, the next time he walks into our dressing room will probably look something like this... please log in to view this image
There's a number of good playmakers who I'd take if/ when Eriksen leaves, Fekir being one of them but in terms of who I'd rather have at Spurs, I'd take Eriksen over Fekir all day long. If we lose Eriksen and sign Fekir, we'd need to ensure we strengthen elsewhere (ideally CM) to appease the loss of someone like Eriksen because if say we went into next season with only Fekir instead of Eriksen, we'd be a weaker team in my opinion. De Bruyne and Hazard (if played as a ten) are the only two in that particular position that I think are better than our Great Dane.
Yep. We didn't have a chance of signing top players like Dele, Son, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sanchez and Eriksen with Levy as Chairman. Who have we missed out on by the way....
Another of these stories invented by a club or an agent or a journalist to further their interests. Apparently, he's never been on our list of possible signings and the club have let it be known that's the case to limit the hysteria when we don't sign him.
I do not believe that Levy will change the way he conducts business, regardless of the changes in circumstances.
I'm sure we missed out on a few first choice players due to: being too tough in negotiations with the sellers with ridiculous low-ball offers holding out for too high a price for our deadwood Grealish, last summer, would have been a welcome addition to the squad. He could have given us something extra in midfield. One also wonders whether Berahino might have thrived under Pochettino and formed a partnership with Kane as they did at under-21 level, instead of what actually happened to him.
We've always had the issue of trying to buy top drawer players with middle level money, so low-balling makes all the sense in the world. I trust that you're not advocating we should have been competing with City, United or Chelsea or blowing money on wages like Arsenal? Fans of most clubs are amazed at the team that we've put together on a budget closer to West Ham than Arsenal. I'm not sure what our discontents expect? As I understand it, last season we were in for: Martial - United wouldn't sell; Sessegnon - Fulham wouldn't sell; NDombele - Lyon wouldn't sell; Grealish - we reached a deal and the player himself has said he thought he was moving and Villa pulled out; De Jong - the player opted to stay at Ajax. I'm struggling to think of players, who we could have afforded the wages and transfer fees for, who we missed out on due to delay or low-balling. Mauricio Pochettino didn't want the alternatives.
He had a bad season by his standards thanks to the final three months or so but all in all he still pissed all over 90% of the players in his position. He’s arguably become a victim of his own success in that he’s set standards so high that when he drops below those standards he’s heavily criticised for it, despite still maintaining healthy stats throughout the season.
I definitely agree with that. It’s why this summer it’s so pivotal we strengthen the midfield. If the rumours are to be believed and we’re trying for both Ndombele and Lo Celso, those could potentially be our “van Dijk and Alisson” signings.
For sure, although the CM is the absolute priority. Get that sorted then worry about elsewhere. If we go back to controlling a game through the CM then the pressure on the defence will be eased. That’s not saying we won’t need a RB, because we definitely do, but improving our midfield changes the whole dynamics of a game to the point where Trippier/ Aurier are likely to **** up less often if they’re still here next season.
