Gareth Bale has been rumored to be moving on from London ever since he exploded this year. In 2010, the Welshman had his breakout year, scoring 11 goals in 41 appearances for the North London side. He won the PFA Player of the Year award, having two memorable appearances against Inter Milan in the Champions League. He scored a hat trick against the Italian side, on 20 October 2010, making Maicon, then one of the best defenders in the world, look foolish. In the return fixture, he led Spurs to a 3-1 win, setting up two of the team's goals. He drew even more attention this year, winning both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards. His play, both in the Premier League and in the Europa League, were captivating, drawing many comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo. He looks set now to join the Portugese winger at Real Madrid, on a world record fee.
Andre Villas-Boas and the board of Tottenham had to know that, entering this summer; that much was evident by the transfers they made. Villas-Boas, one of Jose Mourinho's protege's, bought players who, although they would not replace Bale on their own, would, when put into the greater team plan, more than adequately replace him. Paulinho, the Brazilian midfielder, was the first to come in, leaving Corinthians.
The Brazilian is drawing comparisons to Frank Lampard, with both players sporting a box to box style of play. If those predictions should come true, then Paulinho will look back on a very successful career; indeed, Lampard is the only midfielder in Premier League history to have scored more than 150 goals, and is also second on the all time assists list in the league. Paulinho has spent time in Lithuania and Poland, as well as Brazil, before moving to England. If he can get settled in London, then the Brazilian should turn out to be a fantastic signing. Next came the direct replacement for Bale, Nacer Chadli. Chadli, a Belgian winger with ancestors from North Africa, has the physique of Bale, and could play very comfortably in Bale's position. However, the Belgian could also fill in up top as a striker, having played up there for Belgium. Chaldi is reported to bring the type of attacking vision that Spurs lost when they sold Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart. With Bale sure to leave, the Londoners need that vision more than ever. Chadli also brings Champions League experience, from his time with FC Twente; in fact, the Belgian scored against Tottenham twice, in 2010, in that very league. The sale of Clint Dempsey to the MLS side Seattle Sounders announced the beginning of August for Spurs; two days later, Roberto Soldado was confirmed to be joining the club from Valencia for 30 million pounds. The Spanish striker has already proved that that was money well spent, scoring both of Tottenham's goals in the league so far. Etienne Capoue came later in the month, looking to continue in the mold of Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker, Sandro and Jake Livermore, as a defensive midfielder. He will look to do better than the above stated did at the club, of course. Then followed Erik Lamela, from AS Roma; the Argentine winger tried to single handedly save River Plate from relegation several seasons ago, but when he failed in that near impossible task, he moved to the Italian club. He has been compared to both Javier Pastore and Cristiano Ronaldo, and could play in either role for the club. This adds yet another attacking talent for the club. Christian Eriksen and Vlad Chiriches followed today, in a deal that is reported to reach 50 million euros. Both players are young, and come with experience in European play. Eriksen joins the Premier League from Ajax, a storied club in its own right; he was the youngest player in South Africa several years ago, and was also the Footballer of the Year in Denmark, the country from which he hails, that year. Chiriches played central defender for Steaua Bucuresti last year, and will join a depleted Tottenham back line, featuring only Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen at centre back, and Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker at full back. He will be needed desperately, and rounds out a beautifully executed transfer window.
Villas-Boas, in signing seven players to replace one, followed the pattern set by Billy Beane; why pay a lot for one player, who may not even pan out, when you can spread your investments and get a better chance of success. Tottenham is set up for a successful year, both domestically and internationally. And if Bale's transfer falls through, then Spurs will indeed be a fearsome team, able to contend for the title.
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