I think what you said there were the "early" rumours. As time went by, a good few sources and some ITK's said each deal was done separately. What I've seen touted the most by different sources are: Davies going for around £8m-£10m. Sigurdsson at £8m. (So in some sense you could say a straight strop, though one ITK mentioned that due to some sort of tax legislation, it's better for clubs to do deals on cash only and not player swaps - can't remember the reasoning - hence the reason why I've probably read a lot of it being done on a deal-by-deal basis). And finally Vorm for a bargain £2.5m.
That sort of makes me think that they'll be reluctant to let any more players go. As for Rodriguez, surely his knee would have to stand up to a very thorough medical exam before any transfer could even be considered? I think I read that he won't be fit to play until October, at least.
I think it depends how desperate Poch is to get Rodriguez, how willing the board are to back him and how the medical staff feel about the extent of the injury Rodriguez has and if it will cause problems in the future. A few years back we signed Malbranque who was injured at the time and if I remember rightly didn't make his debut for us until late October/ early November, so it's not an avenue we haven't been down before, though it is a situation that needs to be fully assessed to ensure that if we do nab him, he'll be fit when expected and won't have a recurrence of the injury in the future.
This year, compared to last year, really is a case of after the Lords Mayors show. Roo - surely you have some gossip from somewhere about who we are looking at? If not just make something up to get this thread going again!
Vertonghen has said that he's in discussions with the club over a new five year deal, confirming what the media had already claimed. He also says that he was carrying an ankle injury into the Argentina game during the World Cup and wants to treat it with caution. Presumably he didn't think that crowdsurfing was a possible way of inflaming it.
He wasn't happy with his own performances last season either, claiming he was going from one injury to another for the whole campaign. I'd be more concerned with his attitude than the way he played, to be honest. Not the model professional, by any means.
He was class in his first season, hopefully last year was an injury hit blip. As you say though, it was looking like he couldn't be arsed that bothered me. THere was obviously a lot going on behind the scenes last year and maybe this is a manifestation of that.
He does seem to fit one of the Categories of that all Spurs signings fall into..... that of starting really well, winning fans over before his form and performances nose-dive. But at least we now have the option of selling him to PSG for a ridiculous amount of money to add to their collection of over-priced centre backs.
Fair comment. I can only repeat what I have always said, which is to be a keeper playing behind him, would give me the shakes.
Even if you don't rate him or like him, with Kaboul's injuries and form and Dawson and Chirches rumoured transfers I think you have to be pleased that Naughton and Walker aren't going to be the only defenders we have that have played more than a season with us. If a new deal is what it takes for us to keep him away from other clubs then so be it. Personally I think his supposed attitude on the pitch was down to frustration in his own performances and those around him so I'm hopeful he'll be a more positive character next season if we can stop gifting the opposition goals.
His "supposed" attitude on the pitch was not down to frustration, it was because the guy is a complete arse. His one priority was to save himself for the WC. No player is ever bigger than the club, but Vertinghen thinks he is.
You obviously know more about the guy than we do. But yes, I remember noticing him arguing and berating his own team mates in the Belgian national side, at the WC. It all seems to smack of a player who thinks himself flawless, with all flaws laying with those around him.
Verts is taking the same route as his mate vermaelen. Both arrive in English football and look impressive, have a great first season then gradually turn out average performances. As much as no one wants to say it, Judas puts all our current centre backs to shame in terms of the quality and commitment he showed when a Spurs player and that is the type of Centre back we need. . Kaboul has somehow improved his reputation once injured and we desperately need a centre back who has leadership and real commitment. Dawson is the closest we have but unfortunately he can't produce for a full season and is either impressive or a liability but just for his commitment, I hope he stays.
