Ranking Tottenham's Transfer Window Business

Tottenham’s summer transfer activity will go down as one the most astonishing periods in the club’s 131-year history.

With the window closing at midnight on Monday, Spurs brought in no less than seven world-class players, costing a combined £110 million.

But for all the high-profile incoming players, the departure of Gareth Bale for a world-record £83.5 million was the biggest story of the year.

But which player represents the best business for the club?

Here we rank the top nine transfers of the summer.

9. Tom Huddlestone

With all the crazy signings at White Hart Lane, the departure of Tom Huddlestone went almost unnoticed.

But with the wealth of midfield talent that Andre Villas-Boas has at his disposal, it didn’t take a genius to realize the 26-year-old’s days were numbered.

Hull City showed the most interest, paying a huge £5.25 million to acquire the England international.

Although Huddlestone has undoubted talent, his injury record has been horrific over the last four seasons. 

To get such a high fee for a player who has practically lived on the treatment table was an excellent piece of business.

8. Nacer Chadli

Coming in for a reasonable £7 million, Nacer Chadli is perhaps given the unenviable task of replacing Gareth Bale.

The comparisons are understandable as the two play in similar positions, but supporters should temper their expectations.

The winger has pace, power and the ability to score goals, but at just 23, Chadli needs to be given time to find his feet.

The Belgian international will have the support of fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen, which will certainly help. But it may be next season before we see the best of this talented individual.

7. Vlad Chiriches

Move over Michael Dawson, because Vlad Chiriches is in town.

Of course that’s a bit of an unfair statement, but Daniel Levy did not part with £8.5 million for this Romanian to sit on the bench.

With Steven Caulker sold and William Gallas released, the Steaua Bucharest centre-back is the perfect replacement in defense.

At just 23, Chiriches has already been capped 19 times at international level and with his best years ahead of him. Thus, Spurs have injected youth and talent into a defensive line that has had problems in the past.

The Premier League is vastly different to Romania’s Liga 1, but the youngster certainly has the talent to adapt quickly. Look for the new defender to create a formidable partnership with Jan Vertonghen within a month

6. Christian Eriksen

One of the most exciting players in Europe is now a North Londoner, thanks to the excellence of chairman Daniel Levy.

The Ajax playmaker is equally comfortable playing just off the striker or as a genuine No. 10.

At just 21, many would think Eriksen would be bought as a player for the future, but don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the first names on the team sheet by Christmas.

He has already played a pivotal role in helping Ajax to three consecutive Eredivisie titles, becoming familiar with winning in the process.

Dutch Football Talent of the Year, Ajax Talent of the Year and Danish Football Player of the Year—this guy is going to be good!

5. Etienne Capoue

The French international is currently facing a month out after spraining an ankle in the weekend loss to Arsenal. It will be a frustrating spell on the sidelines for the 25-year-old, who is most comfortable playing just in front of the back four.

Many feel Capoue is a direct replacement for Scott Parker, and early evidence suggests that’s exactly why Villas-Boas brought him in.

Comfortable on the ball with the reputation as a tough tackler, the Frenchman can also play in defence if needed.

With all the attacking prowess Spurs now have at their disposal, Capoue will be an essential commodity when it comes to protecting leads.

4. Paulinho

It seems like ages ago that Paulinho become the first man to break Tottenham's transfer record when signing for £17 million from Corinthians—it was only July.

Such has been the transfer activity since that Paulinho’s arrival has almost become a distant memory.

Spurs beat off competition from Inter Milan and Real Madrid, making a huge statement in the process. The transfer was the catalyst for a flurry of world-class signings and a real signal of intent from the club that they were ready to compete with the elite.

The Brazilian international has firmly established himself in the national team, and his arrival at White Hart Lane will inject a much-needed spark that was not there last season.

Despite being only 25, this is the midfielder’s seventh club, but his first foray into Europe.

Spurs have acquired a box-to-box midfielder whose running game is naturally suited to the Premier League. He may not score a plethora of goals, but he will be an assist machine who perfectly supplements their attacking talent.

3. Roberto Soldado

Move over Emanuel Adebayor and Jermian Defoe. Roberto Soldado is here to stay.

Spurs broke their transfer record for a second time by acquiring the pure goalscorer that they so badly needed.

And it’s been a perfect start for the Spanish international, scoring in his first two games, albeit from the penalty spot. 

But expect plenty more from the £26 million signing, who is undoubtedly the main attacking focal point of this new-look attacking unit.

Villas-Boas will expect 20 goals from his main striker, and judging by his red-hot start, Soldado could be approaching that target by Christmas.

2. Eric Lamela

The signing of Lamela meant Spurs broke their transfer record for a remarkable third time in the space of just 50 days.

At just 21, Spurs paid Roma a massive £30 million just two years after the Italians paid £11 million to River Plate.

But taking the fee to one side, Lamela will prove to be the best and most fruitful transfer of the summer.

While Nacer Chadli may be compared to Gareth Bale, Lamela will be the real superstar who will eradicate any thoughts of the Welshman’s departure.

The attacking midfielder scored 15 times in Serie A last season. If Spurs can get the same return from the Argentinean international, the club will be challenging for the title—not fourth place.

Lamela playing behind Soldado will make for a sensational partnership for many years to come.

1. Gareth Bale

The last piece of transfer business was undoubtedly the biggest and best of the entire window.

Gareth Bale is a magnificent world-class player who will undoubtedly go on and become an even bigger name than he already is.

Now mentioned alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he will be sorely missed.

But to get a world-record £83.5 million for a single player and build a world-class squad in the process is an incredible coup for Tottenham.

Daniel Levy conducted this deal perfectly, bringing in target after target and only letting the Welshman leave after all the other business had been completed. This definitely helped Spurs to avoid overpaying for the players they wanted.

Of course, they spent huge money for top talent, but it’s almost certain that these prices would have increased significantly if the Bale money was in the bank to begin with.

It’s quite clear that the club always planned on selling Bale, but to have done the transfer on their terms will make this team successful for many years to come.