What do these Spurs transfer sagas suggest about Daniel Levy’s impact? – part 4

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Daniel Levy’s transfer policy has naturally not been perfect, but nor has it been terrible. This series has assessed the chairman’s role in numerous transfer sagas; those including Gareth Bale, Vincent Janssen, Joao Moutinho, Saido Berahino, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov have all been assessed – whilst others, like that involving Luka Modric’s drawn-out move to Real Madrid, could be examined in a similar manner.

Even the fact that Levy is divisive of the Spurs fan-base is suggestive of a chairman who lacks popular support from those who make the club what it is. Illustrating this are fans’ reactions to his policy – the delayed signing of the Dutchman Vincent Janssen was frustrating, the inability to get a deal for midfielder Joao Moutinho infuriating, whilst the numerous mistakes made in the departure of Dimitar Berbatov almost unforgivable. Levy has without a doubt earned himself a reputation for brutish negotiations, but has at times forced the club to pay dearly for it.

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Some fans accuse Levy of taking too long over transfer dealings, with Callum Erskine noting that the transfers often ‘trundle on for weeks…with no avail’. Others, like Aaron Almeroth point out that by maximising financial returns, Levy often prevents new signings from integrating with the squad early, meaning potential signings lack match fitness. This, in turn, risks losing points from the games played from the start of the league season in mid-August through to mid September.

Despite this, under the Pochettino era, attitudes towards Levy have taken a shift for the better. Fan Leigh Evans told me that he expects the chairman to always drive a hard bargain, but that as long as Pochettino was able to bring in who he wants, there couldn’t be many complaints.

This is a view that is also shared by Ross Paul, who pointed out that business in the current transfer window has been sensible, addressing the needs of the squad, although a deal for a big player still needs to be completed for Spurs to challenge for honours next year. Other fans, like Unfitforpurpose, identified the rarity that one player improves a league position, and that most of the late darts for players have been caused by missing out on a primary target anyway.

Football is, ultimately, a game of opinions, and the various thoughts of Spurs fans here outline this. There is no black and white answer to whether or not Levy’s transfer policy has been a successful one; this much should be blatantly obvious by now. However, an appropriate judgement to make would be to say that Levy’s tenure has been one that has seen bright players join, world-class players leave, and waning superstars become cult heroes at White Hart Lane.

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The examined sagas of Vincent Janssen, Joao Moutinho and Dimitar Berbatov did little to enhance Levy’s reputation, while his stellar work in the transfers of Gareth Bale, Michael Carrick and the non-transfer of Saido Berahino all contributed to the quality of the squad moving forwards.

This moves the discussion on to where Spurs; with Levy at the helm, now stand. After their most successful season in recent memory, with outstanding results like the 4-1 thrashing of financial powerhouse Manchester City, a crushing 3-0 victory over England’s most successful club in Manchester United, and another 4-1 demolition of local rivals West Ham, Levy is now responsible for bringing in the players that will take Spurs to the next level, whilst also balancing the books for the new stadium.

Doubtless, from a Spurs perspective, there will be agonising waits over potential signings, but as fans know this is par for the course. However, with the club in good financial standing, and with a strong squad already assembled, Daniel Levy now sits in charge of the Spurs roller-coaster that he has played a vital role in assembling – and as fans, now is the time to sit back and enjoy the ride.

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