Another season at Tottenham Hotspur and of course, another new coach and as sure as eggs are eggs, another star signing, this time in the form of Mohammed Kudus. To anyone viewing transfer activity at Spurs from the outside, and certainly for the first time, this might appear intriguing stuff, with Daniel Levy having managed to prise a star from London rivals, perhaps against the odds.
The reality is that we have been here before, and indeed, we have been more or less exactly here, on two occasions previously. The first was Moussa Sissoko, the blundering and occasionally threatening box-to-box midfielder that we imported from Newcastle United.
Newcastle United sold us that gem for £30 million across a 5-year deal, which the Frenchman dutifully saw out. 7 assists and just 3 Premier League goals came during those 5 long seasons in N17.
Then, of course, who could forget Richarlison, the Brazilian international, whom we ‘snapped up’ from Everton for a mere £50 million in 2022? 16 Premier League goals were forthcoming from a player troubled by injuries and mental health issues. This was another deal spread across 5 years.
One would have thought, by now, that the pattern most of us can see would be visible to Daniel Levy. One gets what one pays for, and when one buys players who have failed to have explosive careers, one doesn’t get very much.
This strategy also underlines the fact to fans that the managers at Spurs have little to no involvement with the squad selection at the club, which, to be blunt, is a frankly terrifying state of affairs.
The noises with respect to the lad’s temperament have been significant. West Ham fans are split between not wanting to do business with us on a tribal level and amusement that we’ve bought such danger.
‘Doesn’t pass, rugby tackles himself, there’s a chip on his shoulder, not a team player, blah blah blah’
After the fiasco of the last guy, who appeared to do his level best to relegate us, this didn’t feel like the season to roll the dice again.