While Tottenham have sprung off their peddle-stool to begin the first nine games of the Barclays Premier League in strong fashion, all media translation has concentrated on the new arrivals at the nest of the Golden Cockerel. As the media tells the tales, the future is of relevance and the past simply adds to a book of theoretical history which can be referred to should a story re-emerge.
Of course, Tottenham’s £100m-plus starlets have come under heavy investigation, with their impact on the side being compared to those who already sit within the first team. Whilst the likes of Christian Eriksen, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado have been awarded praise at varying levels, fellow new arrivals including Erik Lamela, Vlad Chiriches, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue have not begun quite so merrily due to either injury, a lack of first team opportunities or simply taking longer than others to adjust to Premier League demands.
From here, it is time to line up the ducks and judge how former players have moved on from AVB’s side for better or for worse, from world record transfer head-offs, to loanees and the forgotten.
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid (£85.3 million)
The Welshman’s transfer from White Hart Lane to the Estadio Santiago Bernebeu was a story of immense length, time and rich funding. As Tottenham went on a spending frenzy to ‘replace’ the inevitable departure of Gareth Bale, the winger’s misery was finally lifted as Florentino Perez and co coughed up enough dough to end Bale’s North London career.
Bale made his debut for Real Madrid with a debut goal against promoted Villarreal before his game was cut short following Angel di Maria’s substitute appearance. Bale’s goal was not enough as Carlo Ancelotti’s side failed to capitalise and drew 1-1.
Since then Bale has been hit with the misfortune of injury which has seen the 24-year-old feature in only four of Madrid’s ten league games.
Most recently, Real’s defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp ended in major disappointment for the Welshman. With a rating of four-out-of-ten, being played in an unfamiliar role and then replaced by Karim Benzema outlined his unfortunate start to his career at the Spanish giants.
Despite a difficult start, it is believed Bale will adapt to life in the Spanish capital and form a lethal partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo in return. Only time will tell if his move was premature and over-hyped. Although walking away as PFA Players Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year and Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year in 2012-13 does not shy for nothing, once fit Bale has the world at his feet.
Performance rating since Spurs departure: 4.5
Steven Caulker – Cardiff City (£8 million)
The aspiring future England centre-back left Spurs with a surprising price tag in search for a regular starting position. At Cardiff City his wish had been granted with a four-year contract signed at the newly promoted side.
Caulker has been a key figure in Cardiff’s start to the season, starting all nine of his side’s top flight games and even getting his name on the score-sheet during this spell.
Caulker received his first England call up in November 2012 against Sweden but has failed to establish a regular spot in Roy Hodgson’s plans. A strong season under Malky Mackay and survival for the Bluebirds will ultimately wave Hodgson’s attention as the England boss will have to debate cover for Gary Cahill and Phil Jageilka in Brazil.
A positive start from the former Yeovil, Bristol City and Swansea loanee may see Caulker leave Hodgson with a selection issue.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 6
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders (£6 million)
Dempsey’s exit from Spurs was probably the most unexpected, especially having only spent twelve months as a Lilywhites player. Home sickness and seeking a refreshed challenge outside of the Premier League proved decisive for the American, leaving for the same price he signed for Spurs, from Fulham in August 2012.
On his return he featured against Toronto FC in a 2-1 victory on August 10th and is expected to become a key body in the Rave Green’s side as they look to build on their honours from 2009-2011.
The resourceful midfielder has appeared on eight occasions for Seattle Sounders who sit fourth in the Western Conference division in the MLS. Playing alongside former Premier League stars Marcus Hahnemann, Eddit Johnson, Djimi Traore and Obafemi Martins, Dempsey has yet to score in twenty-nine shots at goal since his move this summer.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 6
Tom Huddlestone – Hull City Tigers (£5 million)
Huddlestone moved to Hull City Tigers for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5 million.
The strong passing midfielder ultimately departed the Lane in search of regular football following a downfall of opportunities since his lengthy injury plague in 2011-12, which kept the 26-year-old on the sidelines for ten months. The former Derby County youth star featured for England on four occasions but similarly to his club career at Tottenham, his face had long been forgotten on the field at Wembley despite being a popular player with fans at both levels.
Steve Bruce moved quickly to secure Huddlestone and the transfer has seemingly paid off. With Hull sitting in mid-table and Huddlestone firmly positioning himself as a customary addition to the side, moving to the KC Stadium has been a positive switch.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 6
Scott Parker – Fulham (Undisclosed Fee)
The tough tackling central midfielder’s future under Andre Villas-Boas was in decided all in due course for the former West Ham United, Chelsea and Fulham player. With Brazilian Sandro returning to full fitness and the onset arrival of Etienne Capoue and Paulinho gave Parker no choice but to leave.
Craven Cottage proved to be the most beneficial choice for the 33-year-old despite interest from a host of clubs, most notably from former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers this summer.
Signing a three-year deal, Parker has settled in quickly at the Cottagers, becoming an influential leader in the centre of the pack. Unfortunately times have been difficult as criticism has clouded in on manager Martin Jol due to his team’s slow and sluggish start to the campaign.
Fluctuating results could prove to be Fulham’s shortfall this season, with Scotty Parker seen as a crucial figure in the side’s survival bid.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 5
Jake Livermore – Hull City Tigers (Loan)
Jake Livermore’s move to the KC Stadium alongside Tom Huddlestone saw the young, future England prospect enter his seventh loan spell since signing his professional contact at Spurs in 2008.
A poor pre-season for AVB’s men and a last minute dash to bring in some reinforcements to improve the side saw Livermore yet again become a member of the ‘surplus to requirements’ list.
Steve Bruce has kindly given Livermore his first taste of Premier League experience, with the talented central midfielder featuring in all-but-one of the Tigers nine games. He still has plenty to learn before being considered by AVB but could prove useful to Bruce’s first season in the Premier League since his days at Sunderland.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 6
Benoit Assou-Ekotto – Queens Park Rangers (Loan)
The Cameroon international barely featured for Tottenham in their pre-season campaign due to the materialization of the young Danny Rose. Despite featuring in a Spurs shirt in 155 games, the left-back was filtered out of AVB’s plans and picked up by former coach Harry Redknapp in a season-long loan.
Assou-Ekotto made his QPR debut on 18 September against Brighton & Hove Albion, making his mark as a deputy to Nedum Onuoha. Since then, he has featured as a regular for the Hoops, being labelled as a trusted employee by Redknapp.
With QPR currently sitting third in the Championship, in the face of his lack of defensive conviction during his Spurs days, his experience and QPR’s momentum at the top end of the league could see a successful return.
Should Harry and his men fail to leap back into the top flight, not only would this pitch criticism over the Londoners direction, it could outline Assou-Ekotto’s future as team’s may fail to accommodate him should he fail to induce.
Performance rating since leaving Spurs: 5.5
Tom Carroll – Queens Park Rangers (Loan)
The deep-lying creative midfielder is highly valued and considered as a potential visionary option for Spurs to use in upcoming adventures.
AVB clearly informed Carroll that loan experience would help the 21-year-old follow in the footsteps of Danny Rose and Andros Townsend. His ingenuity and high passing accuracy has not been forgotten by Spurs, as his playing approach has drawn association with Luka Modric’s swift and stylistic modes which could prove useful to QPR this season.
Performance level since leaving Spurs: 4
David Bentley – (Released)
Once deemed the next David Beckham, his departure from Blackburn Rovers proved central to his collapse. Loan spells at Birmingham City, West Ham United, FC Rostov and again at Blackburn proved nothing for the former Arsenal winger who is yet to find a club since being released by AVB.
Levski Sofia manager Slavisa Jokanovic expressed interest in signing Bentley alongside former Spurs team-mate Cristian Ceballos but his £50,000-a-week wage demands deemed too expensive for the Bulgarian side.
In light of costing Spurs £15 million in 2010 and scoring a memorable 43-yard dipping volley in a 4-4 draw in October 2008 in a London derby against Arsenal, Bentley has failed to convince anyone to take a risk on him.
Bentley was a talented man who unfortunately fell off the plank and is now long forgotten in England.
Performance level since leaving Spurs: 0
William Gallas – Perth Glory (Free)
The experienced former French international was released by Spurs in the summer following an eventful three-year period at White Hart Lane, making sixty-one appearances and featuring in Tottenham’s first UEFA Champions League crusade.
On October 23rd, Gallas signed a one-year makeshift contract with Australian side Perth Glory, becoming the first Frenchman to play in the A-League. Gallas is considered on of the A-League’s biggest arrivals alongside Alessandro Del Piero, former England striker Emile Heskey and Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono.
Yet to play for Perth Glory, Gallas will prove a massive addition to Alistair Edwards side who finished in sixth place in league standings in 2012-13.
Performance level since leaving Spurs: 0
What lies ahead for Spurs and their fringe players in January?
With further additions at White Hart Lane expected in January, including rumours of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Hernandez, Keisuke Honda, Hulk, Tom Ince and Andrea Pirlo potentially joining the ranks, it will be interesting to see who leaves the dressing room this winter.
This summer’s removal campaign and bringing in new faces has proved an important factor to Spurs start to the season, whilst those who have been handed their P45 at the Lane have failed to take the roof off. Further names expected to add to the exodus at Spurs include Emmanuel Adebayor, Heurelho Homes Bongani Khumalo and Iago Falque.
Are there any further names that should be added onto the transfer list at Spurs? Who would you like to see enter the grounds at White Hart Lane to further develop AVB’s side?
