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da bet vitoria： From holding a commanding lead in third spot, Tottenham Hotspur have endured a recent poor run of results, slipping behind North London rivals Arsenal into fourth place. Now, the White Hart Lane side hold just a five point gap over Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification, casting a shadow of doubt over their ability to hold onto the current position, and book a spot at Europe’s top table for next season.
For the men in white, missing out on top level European football could be a real set-back in the bid to become one of the Premier League’s powerhouses, with much hinging on their ability to re-establish Champions League status.
Having managed to keep hold of Luka Modric after a summer of uncertainty, the Croatian’s future may be plunged into doubt once more, if the club cannot show an ability to match his growing ambitions. The former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder is instrumental to the way in which Tottenham play, pulling the strings from midfield, with his superb range of passing aiding the side with their fluid attacking approach. He made it clear last summer that a move to London rivals Chelsea or Champions Manchester United was his aim, yet Daniel Levy stood firm keeping the playmaker at the club in a bid to re-join UEFA’s top club competition. However, such exploits may be impossible this term, with the 26-year-old entering the peak of his career and keen to secure major honours and a larger pay packet, both of which will be more achievable at a new club.
As well as Modric, Gareth Bale may decide to call time on his spell with the club. Although the Welsh wizard is more likely to stay than some of his team-mates, given his young age and guaranteed first team football, the level of displays he has produced over the past few seasons have attracted many of Europe’s top-sides. Names such as Barcelona and Real Madrid have been banded as potential suitors for the 22-year-old, and if the chance to join one of the world’s finest sides on large wages arose, it would be almost impossible to reject. Losing such players will undoubtedly damage the club in the long run, as to challenge, they will need to cement the club as an attractive prospect, and top players leaving regularly will not allow that.
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The financial repercussions of missing out on Champions League football may also halt Spurs ambitious transfer plans. The retaining of Emmanuel Adebayor would prove to be difficult without the guaranteed increase in income, with the Togo striker likely to demand wages in the region of £100,000-per-week, to complete a move from Manchester City. Also the acquisition of talents such as Eden Hazard and Loic Remy would become increasingly difficult, without the lure of demonstrating their abilities on biggest stage.
Perhaps more important than playing staff is the ability to keep hold of Harry Redknapp, who has been linked with the vacant England managers role since the departure of Fabio Capello. Although ‘Arry may swap Spurs for England regardless of where his side finish this term, another crack at the Champions League, allied with the increase in spending power, could be enough to convince the manager to stay with his employers. But, if they were to miss out, the appeal of leading his nation would increase, casting doubt over the long-term future of the club, which he has galvanised since arriving in 2008.
Both Tottenham and their closest rivals, Chelsea, find themselves at a crossroads ahead of the run-in for different reasons. Tottenham have, perhaps, their most promising generation for quite some time, and to lose key components, or be unable to build upon what they have will see the club move backwards. If the likes of Modric, Bale or Rafael van der Vaart decide to leave the club, which is a possibility, the message that conveys to future players and current stars is extremely negative, hinting at a lack of ambition. It’s been a long, physically enduring season for Spurs, but if they can just hold on, and limp across the line, they have the makings of a team that could challenge for the title in years to come. Keeping Modric remains the key, as his exit could open the floodgates, but if Champions League football is secured, he may be convinced to stay in North London, where he has become a crowd favourite.
Chelsea however, are not likely to give up without a fight, as they look to lay the groundwork for, what could be, a busy summer. The lure of top-level European football and the financial benefits it brings are key in their pursuit of high quality, young talent to begin a new era at the club. Without this they could struggle to attract the players needed, making the final eight games massively important.
It’s going to be a tough run-in for Tottenham, who must focus on securing at least fourth spot, if they are going to build upon their impressive foundations. Champions League football is a must for the club, who have more riding on their European status next term than any other side in England.
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