Chris Waddle: I’d like to see Tottenham sign players at the peak of their careers



De Zerbi Tottenham transfer targets


Former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle spoke to NewBettingOffers.co.uk after Spurs avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season. Here, Waddle assesses Tottenham’s transfer options as Roberto De Zerbi attempts a summer rebuild.

Speaking to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, Waddle said: “The frustrating thing with Tottenham over the years has been that they buy players with potential, rather than proven performers. A lot of players they’ve brought in have been a success and they’ve been able to sell them on for good profit, but this summer I’d like to see them get in three or four players who are around 28, 29 years old and at the peak of their careers.

“In some ways, I was surprised to see them sign Andy Robertson. He’s 32, so doesn’t fit the normal age bracket for Spurs signings, but he stills looks fresh and fit and will be good for the changing room. He’s coming from Liverpool, where he won every trophy there is to win.

“Now they’ve stayed up, I’m sure there will be a lot of agents getting in touch with the club, throwing players in Roberto De Zerbi’s direction. Marcos Senesi is a good player, and he would do well at Tottenham. Jan Paul van Hecke is another experienced centre-half who knows the Premier League thanks to his time at Brighton and at 26 is a good age. In that position, it looks like Cristian Romero would be allowed to leave and I have no objections if he does depart and the club can recoup some money – I don’t think his heart is at Spurs.”

Palhinha’s future is in own hands

Joao Palinha made a number of key performances towards the end of the season and Waddle believes his loan stay at Tottenham could be extended.

Waddle said: “Joao Palhinha’s future is ultimately down to the player himself, whether he wants to continue with Tottenham in the Premier League or try to get back into the Bayern Munich team. He’s also got the option of going home to Portugal, where his first club Sporting look to be interested.

“I’m sure Tottenham will put a bid on the table. He came good at the end of last season. But Roberto De Zerbi will be asking where that character from him at the start of the campaign was. By those final games, players were playing for their own careers, not just the club, which makes things slightly different.

“Spurs will also need a creative midfield player, without a shadow of a doubt. They need a No10 and might even need another No9. Dominic Solanke was injured a lot of last season and Richarlison works hard and you can’t fault him for that, but he doesn’t score as many goals as you’d like.

“They’ll also need a winger. Mohammed Kudus should be back fit at the start of next season but it’s never easy coming back from a big injury, let’s hope he has a good preseason.”

Players should want to win trophies with Tottenham

After a difficult campaign for Tottenham, Waddle believes Roberto De Zerbi will need to make big decisions regarding several of his players’ futures.

He added: “Let’s be honest, Tottenham need players all over the park if they are to get back into the top four or five, rather than the bottom four. The last two years have been embarrassing for a club of Tottenham’s stature – if you think of the size of their stadium, training ground and the facilities they have. A club like Tottenham should never be anywhere near the bottom of the table. They’ve had two scares, so let’s hope there are no more. They need to sort out their act, get proven quality through the door and qualify for Europe again.

“You’ve got to look at the squad overall and be realistic – across the whole 38 games of last season, they were terrible. They stayed up in the end, but there’s no way it should’ve come down to the final day. Roberto De Zerbi did a good job injecting energy into the team, playing with a higher tempo but it’s still early to judge him. I do think he’s a good manager and he will do well.

“De Zerbi will have been impressed by how ultimately the players showed the energy, desire and passion that is required in the Premier League. But there would always be that worry that if these players earn a new contract, they may ease off again. Especially with these players finishing fourth bottom two years in a row – it wasn’t just a freak one-off.

“The new signings have got to make the team stronger mentally, more than anything, and players that want to win trophies with Tottenham.”


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