Fair, we didn't buy players who were at the very top of their game but in those days, pretty much up till the last couple of years under Poch, if not until after Covid, we legitimately didn't have the money to do so and compete with clubs trying to sign them.
Our economic model relied on us identifying players that could become top players.
The ones you mentioned plus Bale, Walker, Alli, Lloris, Son, perhaps Lamela had he not been plagued with injuries.
Yes there was a lot of dross in between too but we have absolutely been graced with many great footballers whom we have all loved to watch.... some of whom have gone on to play for the most elite teams in the world.
I would also add that when you look at the likes of Lloris, Jan, Eriksen we adjusted our wage structure to keep them at the club for years longer than we would have been able to previously.
It seems to me like we are doing similar now with the likes of Udogie, Sarr, Porro, VDV, Dragusin, Johnson (still got to prove himself) and I absolutely agree that we have to add some proven, top class players. I think it a completely valid expectation now and is absolutely necessary for us to be able to compete. We do have the money to do it but we also do have to find value at times the way that every team, bar City do.
