Many in the fanbase are rubbing their hands with glee, as Tottenham appears to be making a late claim for some class of European football next season.
‘All we need to happen then…’ so begins the wishful thinking that supports the notion that this is, in itself, a good thing. All we need is for Daniel Levy to have a personality transplant and fully back the very latest of a very long line of managers that have failed to benefit from the right levels of support in the transfer markets.
To date, Fabio Paratici’s success rate lies at 50%. Which, in the overall scheme of things, isn’t at all bad. For every Romero, there was a Gollini, for every Kulelsevski, a Gil; and so forth.
Let’s embrace wild fantasy and imagine that Levy falls to his knees and repents his erstwhile ways. Our CEO tells Conte in no uncertain terms that his heart and mind are won. This latest project cannot be allowed to fizzle out like all the others.
There’s a problem. More than just the one, if we’re honest with ourselves.
At present, Spurs have a number of players loaned out. Tanguy Ndombele is with Olympique Lyonnais. The Frenchman found himself ‘supplementing’ his own wages in order to facilitate the deal, which is scheduled to expire at the end of this season.
There’s been one report out of France indicating that Lyon would be inclined to loan Tanguy on for another year, but there are insufficient funds at their disposal.
Tanguy’s achievements in France have been modest, with just 6 assists, and a single goal. Even if one to argue a case for parity between the Premier League and Ligue 1, does this mean the boy is finally worth what we paid, and what are his agreed wages?
Ndombele is a major roadblock in Conte’s plans – but he’s not alone. There’s the small matter of Giovani Lo Celso.
The Argentine is with Villarreal, where despite making two Champions League appearances in a campaign that has progressed well, has also fallen shy, with no assists and no goals. Add to this, Giovani has been selected for fewer league games.
There are no guarantees that the headaches associated with this pair have gone forever. Indeed, Frank Lampard must be ruing the fact that Everton bought Dele Alli, for example.
The odds of Conte being gifted greater freedom this summer are slim – or do you feel I have misrepresented things?
Have you seen the Amazon thing? That’s certainly bordering on farcical…
Spot on Sir.
Carry on up the Tottenham…..it’s hard to know wether Orson Welles or Gerald Thomas would make the best job of directing a film about Spurs…Drama or farce..
Doing on the cheap. 23 years and counting…
BLM has become a marketing slogan. The original hashtag and what it was specifically about has long been forgotten, I’ve never seen something so spectacularly co-opted by the people that rule us…
All most people are bothered about is stage managing their social media as if they’re some kind of celebrity in their mind, and projecting the kind profile that generates the maximum amount of ‘likes’. It’s a hopeless situation, and I fear for the future of society at this rate…
Virtue signalling is driven by social media, sound bites and gestures will never change the world.
What chance does anyone have when big business uses this kind of tokenism in its advertising campaigns? I find it almost insulting to everyone’s intelligence. None more so than those ‘groups’ it purports to be ‘helping’.
Very good point about Kick It Out, an organisation run by people that are specialists in the field of racism, seems to have been supplanted by mob rule and incoherence, and basically shouting loudest…
beautifully put.
Nothing changes until it changes.
If history tells us anything, To Dare will likely remain on the To Do list.
Levy is shaking the season ticket holders down for renewals by 29 April so he needs cash for something
Poch gets it in the neck for not winning anything, but who else has under 23 years of ENIC/Levy? Only Ramos, and he was booted out months later as we were in relegation form after Levy sold off our best players that summer.
What Pochettino did achieve was consistently our highest league placings over four seasons, ever in the modern era. Despite the increased revenues from C.L participation, none of this was put back into the team. Just taken to gear further borrowing for the stadium.
This was against the backdrop of the seventh highest wage bill, and 16th lowest net spend in the Premiership, over that period.
So, while no manager ever finds themselves in a perfect situation (or very rarely), Pochettino was the only manager in 23 years working under the ENIC/Levy jackboot that achieved these league placings consistently. Who are we comparing him to? Most of our managers have lasted about three seasons max under Baldy, to be there for five years was fairly remarkable.
It also shows that he was able to achieve more than any other manager over a sustained spell of years under Levy’s nonsense. This doesn’t make him the best manager in the world, but it certainly makes him the only manager who found a consistent formula under ENIC. Until he was completely undermined. If I was Pochettino I would never work under Levy again, but as one great man used to say; “it’s a funny old game”…
Bergy worth keeping, he’s turning into quite the super-sub!
100% correct.
Lo Celso will be sold, I believe he’s doing quite well on loan.
Tanguy is a wastril.
Does “backing the manager” also include giving Harry Kane 300 grand+ a week to stay? I’d argue it does. That has to be on his jobs list – can you imagine the season we’d be having if he were at Man City?
Its an attempt to discredit a former manager by making things up. The idea that his backing didn’t cease, or that our better players weren’t sold is complete fantasy. Poch stole someone’s ice lolly…
Levy doesn’t care about hissy fits. He cares about bottom lines. It’ll be another make do and mend transfer window.
I always refer back to AVB saying he gave a list of the players HE wanted. What he got were snide versions of them.
That’s Levy…
Common knowledge that none of our managers have any final say on transfers. Unless of course you count Pochettino’s interview statements about signings as blatant lies, and that would just be plain weird…
I want no part of Eriksen. I believe he was a primary contributor to the Loser’s Lurgy with his lack of passion. He offers no moxie to a squad whatsoever.
Just my opinion.
Those outs will generate naff all. Possible exception being Bergy who is in some form.
No worries, Pape Sarr to the rescue!
I think some outfit like KSA Newcastle might take a punt on Tanguy and Gio will ultimately find a home in Spain or Italy. Clearly Conte has no use for them. Gil we might take back. Conte seemed to like him but wanted him to get more game time.
In recent quotes Conte has indicated he sees a lot of improvement in Rodon and Sanchez and likes Winky for some reason too.
So I think out: Goalini, Gio, Tanguy, Regy, maybe Emerson, maybe Rodon/Sanchez if someone really wants them.
In: left-sided CB, a wingback or 2, CAM, backup striker, backup keeper.
The negotiations for transfers and the parameters the club set all go back to Levy.
The rest, manager saying what sort of player they like and then the relevant DOF or similar role goes out and tries to match what the manager sort of wants with the clubs remit plus if players would come for us.
That then goes to Levy to see what he will close.
Its all through Levy ultimately.
Lucky for Levy,
Conte won’t want just the most expensive players as some will be bargains. The bigger issue will be Conte may want to supplement the squad with some experience, which is even more out of the norm for Levy than parting with cash.
The plot thickens…
There appears to be a feeling of optimism in some deluded corners that Levy will back the manager in the transfer market this summer should we qualify for the CL. I take the view that he has not backed the manager in twenty two years of failure perpetrated by his poor decision making. For those of you who say that he doesn’t scout the players and that the player recruitment staff have been poor, I say that he appointed them. If you claim that he only signs the cheques, I say read the comments attributable to Ruben Diaz’s father who explicitly describes Levy’s prevarications and delays allowing Liverpool to swoop in front of us. In short, for those of you in an optimistic frame of mind, I say good luck to you and I hope you are right but I suspect that you will be disappointed as we all have been over the years. Like any seasoned cynic, particularly one who has been following Spurs for more years than I care to remember, I am happy to stick the oft quoted adage that when the facts change, I change my mind but I doubt that I will ever leave the Enic out camp.
We’ve been here before so many times. We will probably make Romero and Kulu permanent, and that will be passed off as backing the manager (with players we already have), much like when we signed Lo Sellon (can’t decide if I prefer this or Lo NoShow; both are absolutely beautiful).
Struggle to see anyone taking Ndom and GLC off our hands – maybe Ndom can get loaned for another year and then another, until his contract runs down?
Read somewhere that Kulu has already contributed to more PL goals in 10 appearances than GLC in 55 (and apparently, Michael Keane scored more PL goals for us than GLC did, even though he has never played for Spurs).
If we’re just squeezing Conte to get us to 4th, only to revert to same old and let him walk without backing… I don’t even know what to write.
I’m scared, to be honest, and I just hope most of us on here are wrong.
The cynic within me has a train of thought that I don’t want to think about, but with Levy these things have to be considered, therefore I wonder if Levy has the thinking of Conte achieving what the club wants in a top four and CL qualification.
I imagine he would not be too fussed should Conte decide to leave due to the lack of new signings come summer, and having served his purpose, with no problem hiring a new manager, horrible thought.
Same with AVB, he’s on record saying he never asked for any of the “magnificent seven”. The common denominatior in all transfer fiascos is Levy. Poch’ first choice was Fernandes. ‘Arry wanted Remy and Samba, and Levy got him Saha and Nelson. Mourinho wanted Dias and got Rodon. And those are just the cliff notes..
“Levy didn’t scout and target those players”. Everyone knows Levy is a control freak and a penny pincher, that’s how we ended up with Lo Celso instead of Fernandes. Everything goes through Levy and he decides who we buy as he controls the purse strings very severely.
If he has nothing to do with transfers as you infer then why has he gone on record as saying he loves the excitement of deadline day so much?
Your statements just don’t add up, You can be in love with Levy and hate Poch of course, it’s your prerogative, but please get your facts right.
As you are well aware Poch went on record in an interview, which is on youtube, to say he never had any input on signings. He worked with what he was given. Example – N’Koudoo who he obviously didn’t want as he never played. Even so that work resulted in CL football four seasons on the trot despite the challenge of being in Europe each time. A strange way to mess up? Unless you have a vendetta against the man for some strange reason. Bizarre, almost child like hatred…
Yup, we will be embarrassed somewhere without the addition of significant fresh meat, thems is the facts!
Indeed, nasty stuff generally is passed on from father to son and mother to daughter. Making folk watch millionaires kneel is going to achieve naff all!
I only looked through his numbers this morning, and it appears that his gaffer is using him much like we use second-string players.
Lo Celso has not played every league game, but has been given a tickle in Europe.
I’ve a tiny suspicion that you may be right, if only because if Conté walks away, Levy’s image – already pummeled in football circles by the post-Mourinho managerial search fiasco – will be totally dragged through the mire… and we all know how highly Daniel values his ego.
I have a bigger suspicion you’ll be wrong, though.
Also, Conte has endless form for these muted histrionics. Paratici will have warned Baldy of this.
Hard to tell wether Conte’s public outbursts have made the creases in Dr Strangelove s leather shorts sweat and chaff..if so it could well be tata Top 4 or not .
P#shed on my chips there Harry , I thought LoSellOn had been doing well for Villarreal..don’t want him back at Spurs.. ..watching his match day chaos theory in action is painful.
Has Levy ever been on point ?
The “Outs” should at least bring in as much as the “ins”
Not a snowball’s chance in hell he makes a spend like that. Too many property bargains to be had with any loot the stadium may generate. Levy and ENIC are greedy investment managers. Nothing more.
Id take Romagnoli, De Vrij is another option, Id like Gomez, for his pace, but he is starting for Liverpool again
Spot on. Nobody is born a racist, it starts with education in the home and the schools.
I’d love Bastoni, but doubt it’s realistic. Romagnoli is a free agent this summer and probably the best we can do in LCB position
I’m afraid some simple minded souls believe that backing THFC has to include backing Levy and enic. Life must be so black and white for them. They come from the Tappa spouted drivel whereby any criticism of Levy and enic means you’re a gooner, as simple as that!
I believe Conte will be backed.. As soon as the stadium was built then funds were released. The problem was Hitchen and Botch spending on club record signings like Ndom and Gio. Wages were raised for many.. Botch was originally given time to build after a much slower start than Conte. A long 5 years, he was allowed to build his team, he bought in decent players like Son, Toby, Trips, Wanyama (obviously Levy didn’t scout and target these players).. Now we have the stadium revenue churning we will have more funds to spend. Conte and Paratici have a proven track record, they will allure better quality players.
Out
Royal, Reglion, Rodon, Winks, Bergwyiin, Lo Celso, NDombele, Gil
In
Johnson, Lamptey, Bastoni, Dybala, Erikson, Bassouma
Plus one 👍
👍👍
No need to apologise for not boarding the bus of pessimism which has been the right bus to board for twenty years but don’t make the fatuous assumption that one can’t be a true THFC supporter and loathe and decry Enic and Levy at the same time.
I cannot agree at all. Taking the knee and the BLM movement were and are intrinsically linked, as evidenced by Sky sports plastering BLM over their screens, not just football. The BLM are a criminal organisation whose policies are a form of Marxism. Time to move on from these people
Hard to say as we all know Levy. It’s absolutely spectacular how he wastes money on big fee signings just about every time. Levy hasn’t been the only problem, scouting in general has been terrible. Looking back at how the Bale money was spent it’s imperative that he understands Conte is the real deal, and that at least Paratici is a better recruiter than Baldini. Regardless of what happens to Ndombele and Lo Celso we need fresh blood. I think that in some capacity Levy understand the situation, he’ll know that Conte is looking for better WB’s for instance and more importantly, why. If it ends in another disaster we all know who’s responsible
That squad without significant reinforcements won’t cope with a Premier League and Champions League schedule, if Spurs qualify that is.
Totally against popular opinion, I think Mr. Levy WILL surprise us all & back Antonio in his wishes.
If I am to speculate which is not usually my thing, about 6/7 will be sold (or loaned out if not) & similar-ish number of players will come in. (Striker, midfield, 2 wing backs, goalkeeper).
They’ll be players Antonio wants & not as others suggested a few months ago, “Levy is still picking the team” & “Conte is Levy’s puppet” 🙄
The rebuild starts this summer, due to the fact THFC are finally starting to reap the financial rewards of the new stadium, the 1st FULL season of it being open/used.
(No apology for not boarding the negative/pessimism, etc THFC bus, I’m a THFC supporter & TTID)
My main worry for the summer is not bringing in a few names but the NDonkey/No Sho dilemma. For once Levy has a real problem that needs sorting with those 2 lame ducks.
No one can afford NDonks fee/wages and the few who can wouldnt want a bar of him.
As for Gil you do know his value was around £40m with Lamela?
I have no idea and cant be arsed to check Transfermarkt but I would estimate a value of £23m
I think when the knee taking was first adopted here, it was specifically done along side BLM on screen logos, and commentators screaming that Black Lives Matter!
Broadcasters eventually cottoned on the loony Marxist police-defunding side to the BLM movement and they dropped the branding.
What I find strange here is that Kick It Out have also been ignored.
I was sent an email by a university this week with some questions about racism in football which were all about social media, fans behaviour and the police. I politely pointed out that meaningful change will need to happen in the home and the schools.
Nobody is interested in the expensive long haul, what people want is immediate, low cost gratification. Like kneeling. Like hashtags.
Sadly, you’ve shot your bolt & missed.
As much as I agree taking the knee is not the direct action required & a fairly hollow gsture, it is NOT about BLM.
It is about “no room for racism in football” as is said fairly often by tv commentators when you watch live football, is prominent on digital screens at every Premier League ground & is advertised in most national newspapers, football programmes/magazines, FA website, etc.
If history tells us anything apart from making your heart go whooaa. Levy ain’t doing didly squat when it comes to backing this or any manager.
Conte himself has intimated that he will seek several signings (4? 5? more?) this summer to continue his rebuild. So I think you’re exactly right there H that Levy needs to deliver or Conte will lose interest in the project (I really hate this term project btw).
I’m as pessimistic as anyone that Levy will fail to deliver but I think some optimism today is ok since the quality of play has picked up in recent weeks, albeit against bottom table clubs. We’re probably even money now for the 4th spot given the shakiness of Arse and United and the inevitable collapse of Wolves and West Ham. Maybe even higher as Chelsea struggles with their new reality.
I agree it’s a mixed bag for Paratici, but his 3 most recent signings of Conte, Kulu and Bent have all been great by any account. Also shedding Gio and Tanguy has improved morale – I expect permanent sales this summer. Someone somewhere will bite. If Gil is deemed not cut out for the prem, I also think he’ll be moved on, probably for around what he cost us.
So, my position now is to remain doubtful that Levy actually delivers given his 20+ year track record but I’m leaving a little room to be pleasantly surprised if we do bring in some quality. I’m still surprised Levy was able to lure Conte here, so maybe there actually is some hope…
If they are not part of his plans it will annoy Conte more if he is lumbered with Ndombele and LoCelso next pre-season. They need to be shot of at all costs. In the case of Ndombele we probably still owe Lyon a shed-load of money so perhaps a write-down and a willingness by the player to take a wage cut might make the move back there a possibility?
On the transfer side of things I don’t think Conte will be unreasonable provided we are going for the character of player he wants rather than the squad being beefed up with little pots of jam tomorrow. In other words if he wants a 35 year old Giroud to come in and do a job then that’s what he shall have without any interference from Penfold.
It has become a pointless exercise in virtue signalling. The perpetrators are in prison for George Floyd’s death and there plenty of other noble causes to bring to the public’s attention. Incidentally, BLM founders are being investigated for fraud and embezzlement in the US at the moment as serious sums of money have gone missing. Are those enough reasons for you?
Why does taking a knee offend you any more than a footballer murdering the English language in a post match interview?
Just can’t see Levy changing his penny pinching ways, especially if we do get top 4 and he considers job done. I forecast some cheapo buys rather than top quality players. Probably more punts for youngsters.
Lo Celso was a particularly annoying buy as he was on loan first. As we all know he was a discounted option to Bruno Fernandez, and Levy got what he paid for in the end; a cheaper flop.
Levy will cite all the money we still owe and the N’Dombele and Lo Celso fees as a reason he can’t afford more good players. However Conte will likely not stand for this nonsense and the little parasite will have to be careful as he won’t be able to pull the wool over the notoriously volatile Italian.
For the umpteenth time, we are not a football club but a property company. Bricks and mortar are more important than football success. Why pay £50 mill for an oven ready player who can slot into the PL quickly when you can use that sort of money to buy residential land or a hotel to add to your portfolio? He has never backed any of his managers in the past, even the most successful ones, so why should he start now?
On another issue, going off piste as is my wont, when are these half witted footballers going to desist from taking the knee?
We are not going to have the summer we’d all like from Spurs or Levy. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.