Using Spurs and our perpetual attempts to find the top class striker we have needed since Defoe and Keane left for the first time
Being linked with both Anelka and Drogba by various papers this morning. Redknapp has been quoted as saying that Anelka 'isn't a bad shout'... its about that time in the transfer window when he starts to make all those little noises that give us a hint of what might be next.
I think the trouble has been that the strikers that we have needed to make us progress as a club/team, have always been lured by the instant gratification of a big salaries, signing on fees, and silverware.
As a result we have been able to get good strikers, but not those top class guys who are holding out for a BIG move. We aren't a big club for these guys - big clubs pay big wages. I don't agree with this, its just the way it is.
This is why have signed some of the players we have. Adebayor and VdV were both a case of being in the right place at the right time. Financially we were able to pull it off because Man City wanted rid and were prepared to pay some of his wages. Similarly Chelsea may be quite keen to get rid of Drogba and Anelka (not saying they are what we need, or that we will sign them, just using it as an example) and as a result we can sign them at a good price and maybe on a reasonable wage, with a good signing on fee making up some of the difference. But like I have said in another thread, I would prefer to be paying £15-20M on an up and coming striker who will want to work hard and hang around for 5 years or so... in much the same way as we did with Modric I guess.
Until we are prepared to pay £120k+ on wages I think it is unlikely that we will attract the BIG name players, but we will be able to get those up and coming - Damiao for example. It makes financial sense for the club to spend money on these players and pay a £70k weekly wage. If a player performs well then we can sell for silly money, or keep hold of and watch them bang in the goals and watch the trophies and money roll in. But again it is down to timing, sometimes the players aren't available, other time yo miss an opportunity and the price doubles in transfer window
The world is now watching our league and players want to come and play in it. Smaller clubs aren't just competing against the best players in Britain, but the best in the world, and it has raised the quality to another level. This is why fewer and fewer players seem to get transfers from lower divisions in to the premiership (unless they are promoted and gain experience).
But i think Strikers have always been like this. As a kid there was always the guy who was the BEST striker in the world - Maradona, Fat Ronaldo etc and it took a certain type of club to be able to attract these players.
