Exclusive: Ambition questioned as ‘Tottenham won’t sign top players’
Tottenham’s transfer strategy has been highlighted as what is holding back the club and not the manager in charge.
Ex-Spurs winger Chris Waddle told Football Insider exclusively that the North London-based side were a “selling club”, and there were major question marks surrounding their recruitment in the context of a possible managerial change.
Last summer’s business had a heavy focus on youth, with teenagers Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, and Min-hyeok Yang all joining Spurs.
Dominic Solanke was signed from Bournemouth, the only player with any real senior experience of note, while they are not expected to be in the running for any of the top names this summer.
But following an unprecedented injury crisis at Tottenham, and some dismal performances, Ange Postecoglou’s side find themselves sitting 17th in the Premier League table.
Tottenham struggles based on recruitment not manager
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, via NewBettingSites.uk, Waddle was asked about the possibility of Scott Parker joining Tottenham this summer if Postecoglou was let go.
Whilst not a fan of that specific move, the ex-Spurs star went into depth about the club’s struggles, highlighting their recruitment as the key issue, rather than the manager in charge.
He said: “The thing with Tottenham is they’re a selling club and I keep saying this, they don’t keep hold of their best players.
“So, straight away you’re always looking for a young, talented footballer who will hopefully hit the ground running, and do the business for you.
“If not, like this year, with all the injuries and young players who got an opportunity didn’t grasp it.
“So, if he was to go to a club like Tottenham, yes it’s a marvellous club, it’s a great club, supports amazing, the stadium, training ground, everything is what you want as a manager.
| Tottenham 2024 summer signings | Club signed from | Age when signed | Fee |
| Dominic Solanke | Bournemouth | 26 | £54million |
| Archie Gray | Leeds | 18 | £34million |
| Wilson Odobert | Burnley | 19 | £24.6million |
| Lucas Bergvall | Djurgarden | 18 | £8.4million |
| Min-hyeok Yang | Gangwon FC | 18 | £3.36million |
“But if you haven’t got a chequebook that can buy experienced players, players who are at the top of their game, like a [Matheus] Cunha, like players like [Alexander] Isak, Tottenham Hotspur will not go for these players, so, they might go for someone who’s six, seven, eight years younger, who’s got potential.”
Waddle added: “Listen, Tottenham’s had [Jose] Mourinho, [Antonio] Conte, Nuno [Espirito Santo], these are all winners of trophies! Nuno took Nottingham Forest well beyond what everyone thought they could go.
“Conte’s top of the league with Napoli, Mourinho’s won trophy after trophy in his career, yet he couldn’t win a thing at Tottenham.
“So, there’s got to be a question mark about recruitment, the club’s ambition.”
Tottenham’s rivals sign top talent, Spurs sell them
As teams like Liverpool and Man City queue up to sign Matheus Cunha and Alexander Isak, Spurs’ transfer targets so far remain unclear.
Historically, Tottenham have struggled to keep their best players during their prime. Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, and Harry Kane all left in search of trophies that were unwinnable if they had stayed in North London.
This summer, similar concerns are arising. Cristian Romero is a target for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, whilst Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider that Micky van de Ven was a target for Liverpool.
Until Tottenham can prove they are a club that can win trophies, their best players will likely continue to depart in their primes, leaving the club with a lot of cash but unable to attract top talent in their primes to replace them.