Three things Spurs should have done better in January window – opinion
As the January transfer window slammed shut, Spurs managed to secure three signings for the first team, however, there are lingering questions about what they could have done better.
Spurs’ January transfer window business
The January transfer window proved to be a busy one for Tottenham Hotspur, with the club completing three first-team signings. Centre-back Kevin Danso, versatile forward Mathys Tel, and goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky were brought in to strengthen Ange Postecoglou’s squad.
On the youth side, Daniel Batty, Reiss Russell, and Furnell-Gill were added to the club’s development setup, demonstrating the club’s focus on nurturing young talent.
Despite these additions, Tottenham’s activity has left much to be desired. Reports throughout January suggested that Spurs were targeting reinforcements in key areas, particularly in defence and the forward line, yet their dealings seemed to lack cohesion and urgency.
The late flurry of signings, while welcomed, raised questions about whether more could have been achieved with better planning and execution. Let’s find out three things that the club could have done to make this winter window much better.
Three things Tottenham should have done better in the winter window
The January window was far from a disaster, but it left room for improvement. Here are three areas where Tottenham could have done better:
No new defender
For large parts of the window, it was believed that Tottenham would sign more than one defender. After securing Kevin Danso, there were strong links to other centre-backs.
The club was linked with Axel Disasi of Chelsea—who eventually joined Aston Villa—and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, for whom Tottenham reportedly had a £65 million bid rejected.
Burnley’s Maxime Esteve was also on the radar, but no deal materialised.
These links made it pretty clear that the club wanted at least two new defenders, and you cannot even blame them – Radu Dragusin is now out for the rest of the season, and then you have van de Ven, who can barely play for an entire season.
One more signing in defence would have made this a near-perfect window, but without it, Tottenham’s options at the back look worryingly thin.
Spurs should have signed outfield players earlier in the January window
Despite managing to sign three players, Tottenham left their business dangerously late. Completing two outfield signings in the final 48 hours of the window gives the impression of a rushed and poorly planned strategy.
This delay proved costly, particularly in the case of Marc Guehi. Crystal Palace reportedly rejected Tottenham’s late bid because they did not have enough time to secure a replacement. The timing was not only unfortunate but also avoidable had Tottenham acted sooner.
Not only that, the lack of early reinforcement in January, also resulted in dropped points, which could have been avoided had these players arrived earlier.
Now, they are being thrown straight into the thick of things with crucial fixtures ahead, including a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool and an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa. These are high-pressure games for new signings who have barely had time to settle.
The club is not broke, so stop acting like it
One of the most baffling aspects of Tottenham’s transfer policy is their apparent reluctance to spend when needed.
The club is not short of funds, yet they often act as if they are. This window highlighted the contradiction perfectly: Tottenham offered Bayern Munich £60 million for Tel and Crystal Palace £70 million for Guehi, yet earlier in the window, they were still hunting for bargain deals.
Fans want to see ambition, and there were glimpses of that in January. However, the club’s tendency to settle for second or third-choice targets after failing to secure the top names is frustrating.
If Tottenham are serious about competing at the top level, they must combine their shrewd business dealings with marquee signings. Otherwise, mid-table mediocrity could become the norm.
The summer window must be an upgrade on this one. And if anything, if you’re planning to sack Ange Postecoglou, then at least make him the sporting director. The number of players he has convinced to join this club is simply ridiculous.
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