I read this and it's wrong

I read this and it's wrong

I read this and it's wrong


Good day folks another fine day to be a positive Spurs fan.


So what do we have that's fresh for you today, something that provokes you to think?

A few lines of text, that's all that prompted today's discussion.

I read this and it's wrong.

"If Spurs sign players, they shouldn’t be doing so for profit. Spurs shouldn't be selling players for profit. 

"Ideally, they should be players improving our starting XI eventually. 

"Spurs should keep them until they are no longer good enough and then be sold."

While there are some valid points in that approach, it isn't practical for a football club for a number of reasons:

  • Financial Stability
  • Developmental Pressure
  • Limited Transfer Options
  • Selling for Profit Restrictions
  • Player Retention Challenges:
  • Talent Development Uncertainty
  • Competitive Pressure
  • Inflexibility
  • Squad Depth Issues
  • Fans' Expectations
  • Managerial Challenges
  1. Financial Sustainability

  2. One of the major issues with this approach is that it overlooks the financial aspect of running a football club like Tottenham Hotspur.


  3. In modern football, clubs need to be financially sustainable, it's what UEFA financial rules are all about. You live by what your club generated income can afford.


  4. If a club doesn't make any profit from player transfers, it could face financial difficulties in the long run.


  5. Developmental Pressure

  6. The approach suggests that players should be signed solely to improve the starting XI.


  7. This could put immense pressure on young or new signings, as they may struggle to perform immediately.

Look at Jude Bellingham, left Manchester City to go and get 1st XI football in Germany and has now transferred to Real Madrid for £100m+.
  1. You develop quicker by playing so this approach requires you to maximise your outgoing by only buying ready-made players.


  2. Player development takes time, and not all signings will immediately impact the first team.


  3. Limited Transfer Options

  4. Restricting transfers to only those players who can improve the starting XI limits the club's options.


  5. Sometimes, a club may need to sign players for depth, injury cover, or tactical flexibility, even if they don't immediately displace a starting player.


  6. Selling for Profit Restrictions

  7. While selling players for profit may not be the primary goal, it can be a crucial source of revenue for a club, indeed it is for every club.

  1. Selling players at a profit can help fund other transfers, youth development, and stadium improvements.


  2. Player Retention Challenges

  3. The idea of keeping players until they are no longer good enough might lead to aging squads with declining performance.


  4. Clubs need to find a balance between youth development and bringing in fresh talent.


  5. Too many players coming to the end of their careers at a club together has a detrimental affect on performance and the clubs ability to maintain it's existing level.


  6. Talent Development Uncertainty

  7. Developing young talent is a great idea, but it's unpredictable.


  8. Some promising players may not reach the expected level, while others may develop rapidly and leave the club before they reach their peak, like Jude Bellingham or Jadon Sancho.


  9. Spurs have had a number of youngsters leave seeking a shorter and easier route to 1st team football eklsewhere.


  10. There are often mentality issues with youngsters, particularly today with everyone obsessed with their image on social media.


  11. Competitive Pressure

  12. In highly competitive leagues, like the English Premier League (EPL), it can be challenging to consistently improve the starting XI with young or inexperienced players without compromising performance.


  13. If Spurs were to drop points because they played youngsters or squad players, the very same people stating the initial approach would be the people complaining.


  14. Indeed they are, over the League Cup game with Fulham, decided on penalties.


  15. Inflexibility

  16. The approach seems somewhat inflexible. Clubs need to adapt to changing circumstances, including injuries, tactical changes, and evolving player abilities.


  17. Restricting signings solely to those who can improve the starting XI may limit the club's ability to adapt.


  18. Squad Depth Issues

  19. Not all players signed will immediately fit into the starting XI, but having a strong squad with depth is crucial over a long season.


  20. Neglecting squad depth could leave a team vulnerable during injuries or suspensions, but, squad depth with players who don't play regularly is going to dip performance.


  21. If you have 11 people, all used to doing something each week so it becomes second nature to them and you take two out and replace them with two for whom it is not second nature, you're now driving your car with one cylinder that isn't working.


  22. Players do not want to rotate, they want to play and when they don't their motivation goes down.


  23. Fans' Expectations

  24. Football fans often expect immediate success. If a club's strategy is solely focused on long-term development, it may lead to dissatisfaction among supporters if the team doesn't perform well in the short term.


  25. As Ange Postecoglou keeps telling fans, the journey, getting behind a cause is far more important than seeking short-term as the way you go about both are different.


  26. Fans should stop the focus on short-term, stop the focus on looking backward, but focus on the journey forward because their wind in our sails will get us there quicker.


  27. Managerial Challenges

  28. Managers might find it difficult to balance the development of young talent with the pressure to achieve immediate results.


  29. Mourinho couldn't do it, Conte couldn't do it, despite it being his brief. Just look at what he got out of Sarr and Bissouma, one he didn't want and the other he didn't play.


  30. This creates tension between the coaching staff and the club's senior management who see a coach not moving the club in the direction it wants.

While the idea of prioritizing player development and minimizing profit-oriented transfers has its merits, it's important to consider the broader financial, competitive, and operational aspects of running a football club.

Striking a balance between youth development and maintaining a competitive squad is essential for long-term success.


Sometimes, you need to sell a player in their prime.

Why?

Because you can see the problems down the road.

Take Dele.

Had a sports psychologist been involved then red flags should have been raised over social media use and image.

A sports psychologist should monitor all players and be looking for potential problems before they happen.

It's another area of mentality I think football is backward in.

Then it's a decision do you take preventative action or do you sell before these problems manifest themselves in a bigger way and affect performance, from which there may be no return.

So what if a player performs elsewhere, there are plenty of fish in the sea that can take their plaice!

COYS