The tables have turned… Tottenham stars are finally turning down the big European clubs and becoming one themselves
HOW the tables have turned...
With an £800million stadium on the way, a season at Wembley and a non-competitive wage structure in place, Tottenham wouldn’t have been the first choice for most of Europe’s top talent this summer.
Despite the lure of Champions League football, the white side of North London do not have the financial pulling power of the other top six clubs in England.
However, this summer we’ve seen four of Spurs’ new recruits all turning down moves to other top clubs in favour of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The question on everyone’s lips, though, is why?
Let’s start with Davinson Sanchez, the latest in a long line of Ajax graduates to make the move to White Hart Lane.
Lining up alongside Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld - two to have previously progressed through the Dutch side’s ranks - Sanchez was greatly sought after this window.
Most strongly by Spanish giants Barcelona.
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It’s thought that the Colombian international was one of Ernesto Valverde’s primary targets, however he chose Pochettino’s band of young stars.
19-year-old defender Juan Foyth is a similar tale.
Not only were terms agreed with Paris Saint-Germain, but the young Argentine was thought to have completed a medical with the French giants.
Another win for Daniel Levy and co.
However, it was Spurs’ deadline day double that can be considered the biggest coup of the window.
With a title under their belt, a Champions League place secured and significant financial muscle, turning down Chelsea is one hard task.
For Serge Aurier and Fernando Llorente however, the choice was clear.
Aurier, who has joined the club despite risks over his off-field antics, is a real statement by Tottenham.
Three years younger than predecessor Kyle Walker, and with vast Champions League experience, the Ivorian is a real asset for the club.
His frightening pace and taste for assists is something they’ve severely lacked with the departure of Walker to Manchester City.
Llorente’s signature was equally tasty.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has chased the Spaniard for two summers now, having worked with the talented international together at Juventus.
The Italian is said to have been furious with Stamford Bridge chiefs at not being able to complete the deal.
Despite not quite being quite as dramatic as Willian’s move to Chelsea in 2013 - where the Brazilian completed a Spurs medical before joining the Blues - the tables have really turned this summer.
Ross Barkley’s hilarious exit from a Chelsea medical is thought to be out of frustration at Everton failing to negotiate a move to Spurs.
Another win for Levy.
Llorente aside, if you’re a young player in Europe, moving to Spurs - especially with Pochettino at the helm - is quite the attractive proposition.
Needless to say that Spurs did not have the best window of any Premier League club.
I’d much rather be sitting in the position of Manchester United, who flashed the cash and got their targets in early in order to hit the ground running.
Levy’s obsession with dragging out negotiations in order to get the best deal has becoming increasingly frustrating for fans.
With Borussia Dortmund our next opponents at Wembley, fans will hope that the new additions can hit the ground running.
We’ve signed well, and we’ve got the manager to get the best out of his new recruits.
Ending the hoodoo against Dortmund? Don’t mind if we do...
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