Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp to bolster squad
It will come as little surprise to hear that Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, famed for his wheeler-dealer approach to management, is planning on bringing one or two new signings to White Hart Lane before the transfer window closes.
After a hugely successful last season in the Premier League, which saw Spurs finish inside the Champions League places, Redknapp is under pressure to maintain the club’s top-four status this season.
In order to do so, the 63-year-old knows that strengthening his squad is imperative. With the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool all doing business in the transfer market over recent weeks, Spurs must look to splash the cash – or utilise the loan system – to keep up with their rivals.
Redknapp is currently assessing the situation, but with two weeks to go before the start of the 2010/11 season, the Spurs boss must act quickly to ensure he has a squad capable of challenging both domestically and in Europe.
After West Ham refused to entertain Tottenham’s offer for midfielder Scott Parker this summer, it would come as another major blow to Spurs if they also miss out on Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy. The Welshman and Redknapp embraced at the end of last season, and speculation was rife that Bellamy would move to north London in time for the new season.
As it stands, though, Bellamy is still very much a Manchester City player. However, much depends on their multi-million pound signing of Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli, who is poised to sign a five-year deal at Eastlands.
AC Milan’s out-of-favour striker, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, has also been linked with a possible move to White Hart Lane. But again, his signature rests on the future of Peter Crouch, who Mark Hughes is reportedly interested in bringing to Fulham.
While Redknapp waits for the transfer market domino effect to occur, he knows that he already has a squad of players with the capability to match last season’s achievements. The addition of Brazilian defensive midfielder Sandro from Internacional will add some bite to midfield, but so far this summer that’s been the only piece of business.
It’s an indictment of the current market. Few managers can find any real value at the moment; such are the asking prices from both clubs and players. However, Redknapp has done well to keep hold of his star performers from last season, particularly his diminutive attacking midfielder Luka Modric.
One possibility that Redknapp is currently weighing up is bringing in one or two loan signings as a more cost-effective way to keep his side in contention of a place in the top four. Finding players good enough to play for a mid-table Premier League team is one thing, though. Finding a loan-signing with the ability to make an impact at a team challenging for a place in the top four is quite another.
Redknapp previously stated that winning the league isn’t beyond the realms of possibility for Tottenham this season. This may sound somewhat optimistic, but if last season is anything to go by, then no team will relish the trip to White Hart Lane.
With a large squad brings strength in depth, and along with their experienced manager, Spurs will be a threat to the top four again this season.
Finding one or two special players to help them on their way will only enhance their chances of making the forthcoming campaign another memorable one.
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