What Could Baldini Bring to White Hart Lane?

Article by e-Spurs Writer Connor Wright (UK)

 

Following Franco Baldini's recent departure from Italian giants Roma, Spurs are subject to intense speculation over Baldini becoming the Director of Football at The Lane as Daniel Levy and AVB look towards a more continental approach to the running of the football club. As a very experienced director with a successful history it is obvious that bringing the former England assistant to White Hart Lane could greatly improve the clubs negotiation process and scouting network. This article will look at Baldini's successes and what he could bring to Spurs.

Baldini's first job as a director was at Roma which he started in 1999 until his resignation in 2005. During his first spell at Roma he signed notable players and in hindsight shows he knows a good player when he sees one. His best signings include:

• 22 year old Cristiano Zanetti
• 22 year old Walter Samuel
• 18 year old Antonio Cassano
• 18 year old Daniele De Rossi
• Cristian Chivu
• Phillipe Mexes
• Pep Guardiola

From these signings its clear to see that even early on in his career he was good at identifying good young players with the potential to become world class, a method Spurs are famed for wanting. All of the players on this list have gone on to become very successful players and have shown the potential that Baldini obviously saw in them. De Rossi is considered one of the best holding midfielders in the world, Cassano has gone on to become vice-captain for Italy and gaining 35 international caps in the process.

After his resignation from Roma, Baldini joined up with Fabio Capello at Real Madrid in 2006. The signings he oversaw at Madrid include:

• 18 year old Gonzalo Higuain
• Marcelo
• Fabio Cannavaro
• Ruud Van Nistelrooy
• Fernando Gago
• Emerson

These signings also show Baldini's eye for talent and made some inspired signings. He purchased an 18 year old Higuain from Argentine side River Plate for 12 million Euros and has remained in Madrid ever since. Higuain is a player that we have been linked with this summer and with Baldini potentially at The Lane, Gonzalo could be convinced to join Spurs. Signing Van Nistelrooy and Marcelo improved Madrid in the long term and the purchase of Nistelrooy also shows Baldini's ability to buy players in the prime of their career to improve their current squad.

After leaving the England national side when Euro 2012 was complete, Baldini returned to Roma and quickly set about new signings for the Italian club. In a short space of time made some great signings in what is now a very strong Roma team. His signings include:

• Marquinho
• Miralem Pjanic
• Simon Kjaer (loan)
• Fernando Gago
• Pablo Osvaldo
• Bojan Krkic
• Erik Lamela
• Marco Borellio
• Maarten Stekelenburg

Any football fan worth their salt will know that every single one of these players are very talented players who are instrumental for any team they are in. Spurs have also been linked with Pjanic and Lamela strongly this off-season and again, could be tempted to make the switch to Spurs if Baldini gets the job as director. Baldini has exceeded expectations with these signings and has helped Roma manager Aurelio Andreazzoli to build a very young, talented Roma team.

 

Now that Baldini has resigned from his position at Roma, if Spurs can land the 52 year old Italian, Spurs' transfer policy and scouting network could be greatly improved and benefit from the wealth of experience that Baldini will bring.

 

Feel free to post your opinions and comments below and get involved with e-Spurs

 

COYS

 

By Connor Wright

Comment on this article below.

e-Spurs is part of the e-Football Network.

Follow us on Twitter!
e-Spurs Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_spurs
e-Football Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_footballnet

© e-Spurs 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Spurs

Share on Google Plus