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As the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust released the minutes from their most recent meeting with the powers that be at the club, one thing stood out above the others. The club's transfer policy would revert back to the "comfort zone" of transfer fees in £10-£15 million neighborhood. It's important to note that the club never really left that neighborhood with the exception of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela and those transfers were made possible only by the sale of Gareth Bale.
As I had said previously on the e-Spurs podcasts, we need to adopt a model similar to that of Ajax, where we identify and sign the most talented 14-18 year olds in the world for nominal fees rather than wait until they breakthrough at a club and end up paying £8-£10m for them. It is a sustainable model and allows the club to bring these players through in our traditions, philosophy and style of play. After all, we did that with Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker, Ledley King and now Harry Kane. It appears that the club is going in that direction with the reported poaching of David Webb away from Bournemouth. I won't pretend to know how successful he's been at Bournemouth or if he's a strong evaluator of talent but the intent is what's important.
Looking around Europe, there are two players that I'd like to highlight that fit the needs of our club and also the new parameters for our recruits:
Patrick Roberts has the potential to be a Spurs great. That is saying a lot and setting unbelievably high expectations but the kid has it all. The 18 year old needs to bulk up but that will come as he gets older. The short but lightning quick winger is currently at Fulham but his contract is running down and he has announced his intent of leaving. He has starred for every youth level of England's set up and is the crown jewel of a fairly reputable Fulham academy. The need for a quick winger with an end product is so blatantly clear at Spurs and over 2 or 3 years of maturation and development, Roberts could be that man at Spurs for a very long time.
Jordy Clasie is somebody that I've been a fan of for 2 years now. The diminutive midfield is feisty, very tough in the tackle but has an impressive range of passing that can compare with anybody in Europe. He is the captain of Feyenoord but has indicated he'd leave in the next few transfer windows. Southampton are rumored to see him as a replacement for Schneiderlin and in my opinion, why pursue Schneiderlin for £25 or £30 million when you can sign a similar player in both talent and experience for £7-£12 million. Clasie would quickly become a favorite at White Hart Lane and could be the Luka type of passer that we lack.
The stated policy of moving back to our comfort zone may alarm some supporters but it's getting back to what makes Spurs. Players that come up through our system or join at a young age and fit the ethos of the club. It's why despite obvious shortcomings, we love Ryan Mason. We want players who will leave their heart on the pitch and play for the badge on their chest and that is only done by buying them young and growing them at the club.
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