There wasn't much surprise, due to media speculation, that Andre Villas-Boas became Tottenham boss today 3 weeks after the sacking of Harry Redknapp, signing a three-year deal. Is AVB the man for the job? well I am still finding it hard to look beyond Harry and the fantastic job he had done, bottom of the table with two points from 8 games and not looking to go much further, then successive 4th 5th 4th finishes with a season in the Champions League; however, King Harry has gone.
Well maybe we should take a look at some of AVBs previous signings to start, seeing as Harry was the Transfer king.
First was £7million Thibaut Courtois a young keeper who has excelled at times during his year long loan to Athletico Madrid. Courtois was bought in as a future replacement for Petr Cech, and the signs are looking good.
Next is Ulises Davila a 20-year-old who has seemed to struggle for playing time in his loan spell at Vitesse. Only three appearances and no goal, he is no little pea.
Aha Raul Meireles the last minute signing to anchor the midfield, Portuguese like the manager and seen maybe as a cheaper version to Porto's Moutinho, and doesn't quite have the creative talents of Modric.
Juan Mata was a great signing seemingly going to Arsenal he was snapped from under Wenger's nose. A brilliant signing, but not perhaps the price range that Tottenham can afford unless they sell.
Oriol Romeu was another great signing providing great cover for the departed african cup of nations players in January; however, a great signing doesn't always mean great business as their seems to be some confusion in the buy-back clauses and rights of Romeu, something that Daniel Levy will want to keep his eyes on.
You can't really judge a player if he hasn't played, but due to a lack of oppertunites since his £18million move from Anderlecht, Romelu Lukaku seems to be unsettled. This signing seemed to be one of old Chelsea, buying players so others couldn't, this has backfired, not a great one here.
Ok well from that i would say, like many managers, AVB is hit and miss; however, Tottenham don't have the funds to to waste £20million+. In terms of his managerial pedigree, he has trained under two of the greatest managers of all time Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho, and he won the League, Cup and Europa League titles in his first year as Porto manager; however, we all remember his ill fated spell at Chelsea where many believed he was building a team for the future, and that he has a plan, but this unfortunately was not Chelsea's plan.
Despite this the amount of young talent at Tottenham, as well a group of experienced players with Gareth Bale signing a new contract, AVB might just well be able to build a team that can move forward from the 4th place last term and be real title contenders, key to this is AVB convincing Modric and Van Der Vaat to stay with Bale. If he can get these boys to stay, continue the great youth development, and build a strong defense he has a chance of being a success here; however, I'm not sure that he will achieve this in the time that Harry might have...
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