Tottenham finally fulfil potential

Last night Tottenham sealed their place in the Champions League next season by beating Manchester City 1-0 at Eastlands. It didn’t really surprise me.

What did surprise me was a stat I saw on the TV which showed that in the last three years Tottenham have spent the second most in the Premier League, with City obviously the biggest spenders.

Spenders

Tottenham have never struck me as a mega rich club, yet they have spent more than £70 million in the last three years. Their more illustrious neighbours Arsenal have made a profit in that time. Tottenham have always been a nearly club, yet the Gunners have always challenged at the top.

Although Tottenham are a big club they have struggled to make any impact on most competitions for decades. They have always flattered to deceive, until this season. The club has so much potential and a big support.

Success

They have threatened to gatecrash the big four before but were never quite good enough to make it. This season under wily old Harry Redknapp they have finally cracked the top four. They have had some good competition this season for fourth but the other teams just haven’t had the consistency.

Money

The game last night had a potential massive prize for the winners, the Champions League pot of gold next season. Tottenham have put into practice that you have to spend money to make money. The money they have spent has been well spent though.

Key

Harry ‘Trotter’ Redknapp is the ultimate football wheeler-dealer. He seems to know how to get the right player at the right time for his team. He has always had this talent and he’s managed it to great effect at White Hart Lane.

One of his key signings may not be the flashiest of players but he has proved a superb piece of business that’s midfield enforcer Wilson Palacios. He had impressed at Wigan before his big money move to Spurs and many questioned his fee. However since his arrival he has proved a really good shield in front of the Tottenham backline.

Tottenham have a really talented midfield and Croatian internationals Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar have proved bargain buys. Modric has become one of the top midfielders in the Premier League. He has even been linked with a move to Manchester United. However I doubt he will leave Spurs now with the Champions League spot confirmed.

Defence

Tottenham’s defence has been one of the best in the league especially at White Hart Lane. The central defensive partnership of Michael Dawson and Ledley King are one of the strongest in the Premier League.

Although King is still troubled by knee problems he’s been immense in the centre of the Tottenham backline. This has led for calls from the media for him to be included in the England squad for the World Cup.

Partner Michael Dawson has never won an England cap but is also being touted as a member of the squad for this summer’s competition. Centre-back has become a difficult position for England with John Terry’s dip in form and Rio Ferdinand being injury-prone this season. Dawson could be an outside bet for a place on the plane.

Boss

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has always been a good man-manager and fourth is the best finish of his Premier League managerial career. He deserves the success he has achieved this season and finally proved he is amongst the top bosses in English football.

Qualification

Tottenham still have to play in a qualifying match before the group stages but are good enough to get through. They will have a lot of competition with the likes of Celtic, CSKA Moscow and Ajax likely opponents. I just hope for Spurs sake that they don’t fall at the first hurdle like Everton did in 2005.

Tottenham fans know that they never do things easily, so don’t expect Spurs to coast to qualification to the group stages but I believe in Redknapp they have a top boss. They also have enough quality players to make an impact in next year’s Champions League.