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Tottenham Hotspur and their transfer conundrum is certainly a precarious affair to be comprehended. With an astounding amount of money in the Premier League, owing to huge TV right deals, clubs in England have the extra edge to get their targets over other top teams in the European top five leagues. However with Spurs, one would wonder what exactly holds them back in bolstering their squad to challenge the big clubs. Clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool strengthen their squads even after a title-winning season to be on the race while Spurs lose the plot more often than not failing to capitalise the transfer windows.
Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood all had a part to play at the start of the decade in bringing in the players until Mauricio Pochettino arrived in 2014 to configure the squad for the rest of the decade. Though Jose Mourinho is the one in the hot seat right now, he is certainly out of this transfer quandary till date.
Tottenham's’ transfer over this particular decade may simply be trimmed to eight years as they had no arrival in 2018-19 season and this season’s acquirement is out of contention to make this list.
From decent money buys in Roberto Soldado, Fernando Llorente, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Emmanuel Adebayor, Moussa Sissoko, Paulinho to free transfers of William Gallas, Louis Saha Spurs tried and tested a lot of players in this decade. However, the futility in their strategies reaped no fruit. Reaching the finals of UEFA Champions League this term even without signing a single player, speaks volume of their character but coveted trophies are hard to be lured. However, there have been some eye-catching additions that won over the spurs fans in the last decade. Here are the top ten signings for Tottenham Hotspur in no particular order.
#1 Eric Dier
Mauricio Pochettino started the Spurs revolution in the Premier League in 2014 and one of his initial captures was this Englishman. On 2014, he arrived from Sporting Lisbon in a £4 million deal to don the Spurs shirt.
Largely deployed as a defensive midfielder, his ability to stand at the back during a crisis makes him a manager’s favourite. Under Pochettino, Eric Dier developed into a standout performer in his position and made it to the England squad for the FIFA 2018 World Cup and even went on to captain the Three Lions in their final group match against Belgium.
At Tottenham, his accomplished nature was key to Tottenham's flexible formation that framed Pochettino’s hallmark strategy. His free-kick taking ability is an added advantage that Spurs enjoy. Although Pochettino lost his trust on the midfielder in his final days, Dier excelled regularly during the Argentine’s progressive era.
With Jose Mourinho, he has rejuvenated himself and is enjoying his football yet again. Dier, who is expected to sign a new contract soon, has played the bulk of the games in each of the seasons for the last five years and is easily among the best buys for Tottenham in the last decade.
Also check out: EPL fixtures EPL table UCL schedule
#2 Rafael van der Vaart
With all the drama unfolding at the closing hours of 2010 summer transfer window, Rafael Van der Vaart finally became a Spurs player in an £8 million move from Real Madrid. Current Spurs manager, Jose Mourinho, had a part to play in this puzzle. The arrival of Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria at Madrid forced the Dutchman of the pecking order and he had to leave against his will. However, Harry Redknapp seized the opportunity to land this exciting player much to the rejoice of Spurs fans. What transcended in the next few years for him at the London club was beyond imagination for the Dutch.
His Tottenham career was off to a flyer. In his debut season, Van der Vaart scored three goals in his first four Premier League matches. He also scored a goal and provided an assist in two Champions League matches and was also awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for October. He was the top scorer for them in that season and his antics against London rivals Arsenal earned him a permanent place in Tottenham history among the Spurs fans.
Finally, in 2012, he returned to Hamburg SV after netting 28 goals in 77 matches. Although his tenure was well expected beyond those two years, the arrival of Ande Villas-Boas made his stay short.
Van der Vaart was one of those stellar signings for Spurs back then that lit the club for two years and is one of the top transfers of this decade.
#3 Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen is one of the players who has his heart embedded on the sleeves of Tottenham shirt. Arriving from Ajax, the Belgian has been the mainstay at the back for the Spurs. He won over every manager in their stint and is still an integral part for the Spurs.
Vertonghen preferred a move to Spurs over Arsenal and in his very first season was named in the PFA Team of the year alongside Pablo Zabaleta, Rio Ferdinand and Leighton Baines in defence. Although he lost his place during the early days of Pochettino era, he came back convincingly to spearhead the backline for Spurs ever since.
The defender is currently out of contract at the end of the season but with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, he is expected to sign a new deal alongside his compatriot Toby Alderweireld. Although the 32-year-old defender has started this season in a rough note, he could still turn things around for himself.
With close to 300 appearances for the club, Vertonghen is one of the top signings for Spurs in this decade.
#4 Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen formed one of the best defensive duos for both Tottenham and Belgium in recent times. While Vertonghen was already a regular, Alderweireld joined him at the heart of defence as they did during their Ajax days to flag off a new era for Spurs under Pochettino.
An £11.5 million deal ended his loan spell at Southampton and the Belgian signed a five-year contract till 2020 to stay at Spurs.
Much to the delight of Spurs fans, the 30-year old recently signed a new contract till 2023 and is expected to be a regular figure under Mourinho. Mourinho’s admiration for the defender is no secret as he tried to sign him during his Manchester days and his now happy to work with him. Alderweireld himself is looking forward to the project under Mourinho's tutelage.
The Belgians arrival at The White Hart Lane is one of the best for Spurs and they expect more from their man in the coming years.
#5 Lucas Moura
Lucas Moura signed for Tottenham on 31st January, 2018 for a transfer fee of around £25 million from French giants Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian was kept at bay from a starting spot in the French capital due to their star-studded squad and Pochettino saw the opportunity to strengthen his squad.
Although the numbers are not stacked up to back his case as one of the best signings for Tottenham, his big match accomplishments perfectly pave the way for the Brazilian to be remembered in Spurs’ redemption history.
Starting with his brace against Manchester United in a 3-0 away win for Spurs back in 2018 to an equalizer at Camp Nou, he has delivered to the manager’s call handsomely.
His admirable outing against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League semi-final this year will be long treasured by the Spurs fans.
Moura, being more of a regular substitute player under Pochettino, has got greener pastures to explore with the arrival of Mourinho. Mourinho tried to sign him for Madrid in 2012 when the Brazilian ended up at PSG. Moura signed a new long term contract, just three months ago in August, committing his future at the club till 2024.
He still has a long career left in Spurs shirt and is already a top buy for the Lilywhites.
#6 Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris is one of the finest goalkeepers to have graced the Premier League in recent times. From David De Gea and Peter Cech over the years to Allison Becker and Ederson in recent times, Lloris easily fits among the best shot-stopper in the Premier League over the last decade. Signed from Lyon in a €10 million deal, Lloris was initially second fiddle to Brad Friedel.
It was only a matter of time that Lloris claimed the No. 1 spot but had uncertainty lingering over his Spurs future in 2014. He was ultimately convinced by manager Pochettino to stay at the club and went to sign a new five-year deal instead. He was delivered the captain’s armband permanently on 2015.
The World Cup winner defines Tottenham's’ rise in stature with what has been a magnificent career for the Frenchman at the London based club. Time and again he has saved Spurs with his acrobatic saves and passionate endeavour.
Although the custodian is out with injury and is expecting a return next month, his longevity at the top level with more than 300 appearances has justified the faith Tottenham has shown in him. By far one of the best buys of Tottenham in recent times.
#7 Dele Alli
Dele Alli has been one of the most notable of Tottenham Hotspurs’s signing in recent times. The youngster from MK Dons moved to The White Hart Lane on a five-and-a-half-year deal for an initial fee of £5 million at the winter transfer window. Although he was loaned back to finish the season there, he became an integral part of Pochettino’s plan that valued young players to express themselves on the pitch.
Fast forward a couple of years, Alli was already in the mix of England set-up and enjoyed the best season of his career in 2016-17, scoring 18 Premier League goals. Being naturally gifted, his dynamism separates him from the rest
His exploits in a Tottenham shirt has already seen him win the PFA Young Player of the Year in two successive seasons.
With Mourinho at the helm now, 23-year-old Alli has a big part to play in his plans. Fans must be excited about the prospect that Alli is still young and with age on his side will soon reach his prime in the coming years. if the Englishman lives up to the expectation Alli might well be on course to be a Tottenham legend in future. He has been one of the smartest buys for the Spurs in this decade.
#8 Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele was one of the most underrated yet valuable players in the Tottenham squad. He was the engine that controlled the car and allowed the players around him to flourish. His tireless work rate on the field was unparalleled with an unbreakable spirit against any opponent’s challenge.
The presence of this Belgian was beyond run-of-the-mill. He arrived in Spurs in 2012 from Fulham in a £15 million deal, alongside Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris with a role to play in the midfield after Spurs had agreed on a deal with Real Madrid for the outgoing Luka Modric.
His goalscoring and assist records would present a different story, but his magnificence was never all about numbers. Dembele was comfortable with the ball and dictated the pace of the game at his command.
Dembele finally left for the Chinese league in 2019 after spending seven seasons with Tottenham. He has been one of the top players for the Spurs in this decade.
#9 Son Heung-Min
The South Korean icon is a celebrated figure among the fans and his enjoying his fifth straight season with the Spurs. One of the most prized buys for Pochettino came in the form of this Asian when Tottenham agreed a £22 million deal with Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract.
Since then he has risen to the occasion more often than not to mirror image his infectious smiles among the fans. Just weeks ago, his goal against Burnley is already a stellar one for the season but his range of goals include an array of a collection that any winger would look forward to.
His ability to produce priceless moments have made him a popular figure in the squad. From netting Tottenham’s first-ever goal in their new $1.3 billion stadium to scoring against Manchester City in their crucial quarter-final tie in the Champions League this year, Son always came up with something special.
Quite obviously he has been named as the Best Footballer in Asia for four of the five past years.
At times when Tottenham missed their talisman Harry Kane due to injury, Son delivered it for the club producing sublime strikes. He has guaranteed a place in Tottenham’s team of the decade and is one of the best buys for them.
#10 Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen is one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League. His record over the years is enough to portray his kingly presence in the Tottenham squad. His latest goal for Spurs helped them rescue a point and the stunning freekick is a testimony that he is a notch above the rest of the Tottenham players when it comes to class and creativity.
The Dane arrived in 2013 with a big job on his hands as Tottenham parted ways with Luka Modric and Van der Vaart in the previous season and Gareth Bale followed suit in the next. They needed a proper No. 10 who could manoeuvre the attack at his own will and he delivered aptly on his very first match against Norwich showing his authoritative presence in the middle.
His potentials are somehow trapped in the zone of underachievement as Spurs have failed to win trophies with a quality squad that never reached the next level.
With his contract set to end in 2020, the Dane might finally bring an end to his Spurs career and move elsewhere in search of some elusive medals. Given his attributes, there are plenty of teams looking forward to his signature.
However, with more than 300 games he has played in his prime for the Spurs. Andre Villas-Boas' acquisition of the Ajax player was one of the best to happen for Spurs.
