An upgrade of Louis Saha?

The transfer window everyone remembers - January 2012. Harry Redknapp’s free-flowing, attack-minded Spurs side were not only in the hunt for a Champions League spot, but also had a possible, albeit outside chance of the title.

The universal thought was that if Spurs strengthened in the required areas – most notably that of a striker (again) – the club would be able to maintain their form and finish the season in strong fashion.

Come February 2nd 2012 the only two players that we had recruited during that window were Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen – both on free transfers. Fan reaction was one of disappointment, to say the least.

And just as we are still searching for a striker three years on, we may have to, again, do a bit ‘wheeling and dealing’ during this window - as we find ourselves in a sticky situation regarding our squad quota in the Barclays Premier League. A situation that could alter our transfer plans.

Admin causing aggravation

There have been numerous calls for Tottenham to dive head first into this transfer market, or risk missing out on key targets again. Former Spurs defender, John Scales, told Sky Sports: “Pochettino will be looking for Daniel Levy come back into the market and strengthen their squad and add numbers as much as anything.” Well, it’s fair to say that Mr.Scales has not done his research!

This is because Premier League rules state that each club can only have up to 17 non-home grown players in their squad registered to play. At present Spurs officially have 20, but by excluding the trio of Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Cristian Ceballos and Bongani Khumalo – the actual number of non-home grown players registered is more likely 17.

DeAndre Yedlin will not have to be registered as one of these non-home grown players, as the rule excludes players who are aged 21-and-under. What is good news in Yedlin’s case, does little to comfort Spurs to the reality that any player – over-21 and foreign – won’t be able to kick a ball for us, if signed.

Sell before we can buy, or just buy local produce?

You would imagine that shifting players is now the clubs top priority during this window, as without it, we are unable to purchase many of the players that we’ve been linked with.

There is the possibility that we could sign and register a player (e.g. Cabaye) without having to sell another player (e.g. Paulinho), but by simply unregistering him. Although this would mean the existing player (e.g. Paulinho) would still be paid his wages in full, but unable to play competitively – something any chairman, let alone Levy, would be opposed to.

The sticky situation is that it is all well and good wanting to shift players like; Lennon, Townsend and Naughton, but we will still be unable to buy players who do not meet the criteria. In a series of unfortunate events, the non-home grown players that we wish to rid ourselves of (Adebayor, Soldado, Paulinho, Chiriches), aren’t gathering many suitors at present.

Just like Saha – a striker that’s short term fix

With Premier League rules likely to have an effect on when we can do our deals, or the deals themselves – are we really surprised that we might be interested in short term fixes? Adrien Rabiot is said to be one of these short-term fixes in the absence of Nabil Bentaleb, and that deal is still hopeful of being done.

If Rabiot is a player that meets the criteria, maybe we should take interest in loaning Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert to solve our lack of options in attack. Lambert is low on Liverpool’s order of attack, and has been recently linked with a move away to either Crystal Palace or West Brom.

Although Lambert would not be that marquee-striker that we have so often craved, he is one that is Premier League-proven! With Soldado and Adebayor doing little to convince us that they can share the work-load of Harry Kane – Lambert, with a point to prove, would provide our attack with a consistent, more reliable option.

Poch’s perfect fit

As a home-grown player, a loan move for Lambert would be extremely beneficial for Spurs considering their current predicament. Another factor to take into account is that – Lambert worked and succeeded with Pochettino at Southampton.

If Lambert were to come in, he would be under no illusions as what is expected of him from his boss and would easily grasp the philosophy of the Argentine’s, having worked with it for around 18 months.

The only downside to this idea is that it would be highly unlikely that Liverpool would want to loan us one of their players – having taken offence from us in past windows regarding player recruitment.

But if by chance, Lambert was available on a short-term loan deal, the reception may equate to the one shown after Louis Saha’s arrival, but his impact, I believe, could be greater.

 

Very much doubt Liverpool would do business with Spurs.

 

Rickie Lambert seriously. Wtaf! He's our saviour!

 

Saha & Nelsen Gate was the moment i saw the light and realised Levy and enic are only interested in milking Spurs and us fans.
We had a core of top notch players that just needed the finishing touches all while the scum and chavs were weak or in transition we shouldve capitalised but Ming the Penniless short changed us.
Since that window the transfer buisness has been scandalous and only the silent Dictator could get away with it.
Again hes snoozing while we need urgent buisness to shift the stock pile of sub standard wage thieves his 'clever' deals have left us with.

Levy OUT!!!!!!!