Tottenham: Lack of Spending and the Wembley Conudrum
SteemSports Presenter: @rickie
SteemSports Editor/Writer: @writingamigo
Modern day football revolves around money. The massive influx of billionaire club owners makes it paramount that such clubs spend to upgrade their reputation and global value, by purchasing world-class players. Also, the spending practice aims to prove that success can be gotten or achieved by spending. Believe it or not, in recent times the logic has been proven to be factual.
A look at teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, etc., goes a long way to prove that money can buy success and trophies in today’s football.
Asides from the money spending and money making, a balance is often sorted to rationalize the grooming of young talents by some of these clubs and transforming these talents into world class football icons.
If spending outweighs growth and development of youngsters within a club, then apparently there is a problem, with the club’s policies and fundamental structure. But then, it is common sense that you have to spend to improve.
A close look at the north London club, Tottenham FC can somewhat justify how a balance in spending and grooming of youngsters can transform a clubs football philosophy and fortunes. But then, in the case of Tottenham FC, a lack of trophies over the years and near-success syndrome, despite churning out young talents seems to be the bane of their own administrative policies. In order words, Tottenham FC is considered a team that doesn’t spend enough.
In comparison to their London league rivals and major title oppositions, Tottenham is perhaps way behind regarding squad value and squad depth. But club Chairman, Daniel Levy, and Manager Mauricio Pochettino seem confident in themselves and the club’s ability to show financial shrewdness when it comes to transfers.
What do other managers think?
Antonio Conte (Chelsea FC) thinks that the ambitions of Tottenham FC as a club is quite low, and that should they finish below the Champions League position at the end of the season, it would not be a tragedy, neither would be considered out of the ordinary, due to the fact that they haven’t spent a lot to improve their team.
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal FC) seems to have admiration for the Tottenham FC side, and their club financial policy, which has seen them maintain a wage cap at £100,000 a week. He also believes they have a strong squad that can compete comfortably in all competitions regardless of large transfer spending.
Jose Mourinho (Manchester United) is quite impressed with Tottenham and how they’ve been able to keep hold of their key players for the new season. He also expects them to be title contenders as well.
For Tottenham Manager, Mauricio Pochettino, he has also spoken and affirms that he isn’t worried about the transfer spree going around, at least not yet. He has stated that he would consider improving his squad depth only if the player coming in can put pressure on his first choice starting eleven. He further stated that the issue with their apparent inactivity in the transfer window has been down to having not seen a player capable of displacing any of his preferred starting eleven, and not necessarily because they can’t afford to sign players. If truth be told, it’s quite understandable, because the amazing performance of his starting eleven has made it difficult for new arrivals at the club to break in.
The Wembley conudrum
While Mauricio Pochettino maintains that “Wembley is not the problem, we are the problem”, the question still arises. Can Tottenham FC shake-off the Wembley voodoo?
Last season, after several appearances at Wembley and including making it their home ground for European Competitions, they managed to win only one of their five games at the venue. Now such statistic makes it a dreary thought to consider, seeing as their entire home matches for the 2017/2018 League and European season would be played at the Wembley Stadium.
The 2 – 1 loss to Chelsea, being their first home match of the current season, even makes the claim of ill-luck surrounding Spurs and the Wembley stadium even more pronounced.
After the loss on Sunday, the stats became even dire. Tottenham have now won only once in their last 10 games at the Wembley since they won the League Cup against Chelsea on that ground nine years ago.
Last season Spurs managed 17 wins, and 2 draws at White Hart lane out of 19 Home games. With a move to the Wembley Stadium which is now a home away from home, and with a first home loss already recorded, can Tottenham still replicate such a spectacular home form this season?
The loss to Chelsea was not because of lack of effort or lack a great performance, but it was down to an accident (I say “accident” instead of ‘ill-luck,' because ill-luck is now synonymous with Tottenham and Wembley). The ever-reliable Hugo Lloris got his movement and save-attempt horribly wrong, allowing Marcos Alonso and Chelsea to punch a hole into Spurs’ house-warming party celebrations.
Tottenham would have to overcome this loss very quickly, and perhaps ride it out with a resounding home win in the not too distant future, if they intend to banish their not-so-nice memories of Wembley. With the quality in the squad, it shouldn’t be much of a big ordeal for them to accomplish.
With the move to the Wembley stadium, do you think Tottenham can still compete favorably for the title while overcoming the Wembley Voodoo this season? Drop your comments.
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Tottenham look more solid than they have ever been in their history, but that's all due to their managers perspective been a good match with their sporting director if you ask me, they have bought only second-class players in the past years , most from abroad ..
I am amazed about their internal recruiting and surprised by the fact that they haven't bought anything from other premier league teams especially when they have a good record of integrating players like Wanyama or Delle Alli.
They like having English players. And buying English players from other premier league outfits makes them notoriously overpriced - just think of Andy Carroll going for £50m.
It always revolved around money :)
The Wembley issue is definitely not just speculation. At the pre-rebuilt White Hart Lane the pitch size was 100x67 metres (think it was the 2nd or 3rd tightest or thinnest pitch in the premier league last season), they've moved up to 105x69 metres. Although it doesn't seem like a lot - it amounts to an increase of about 550 square metres. Basically, Spurs aren't used to playing on a bigger pitch week in week out and as such every game is like an away-game for them!
As for signings, I love their transfer policy. They don't spend much but it's not like an Arsenal issue of not spending, they have world-class players in almost every position and the best defensive-line in the league.
I'm a Chelsea fan and I've backed them to finish in the top 2 again this year; they'll get over the Wembley issue after a couple more gameweeks.
Ikr, why would they spend more to fix something unbroken. Plus their players are improving so much time to time.
I think they'll go fine at Wembley. First game being up against Chelsea doesn't help! Injuries thinning down the first team would be their biggest worry for me, particularly once the Ch League rolls around.
I don't think so.
They have weakened
Financial collapse globally is about to being. Of course stuff like this suffers. The reason is purely economic, our governments have destroyed the world bringing in the NWO.