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It looks like the floodgates in the transfer window have opened. So far this summer, it seems that the majority of major transfer deals have started and ended at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane.
The spark was <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4422164.ece" target="_blank">Robbie Keane’s move from Tottenham to Liverpool for 20.3 million pounds</a>. That allowed Spurs to finalize the deal with Blackburn for the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jul/31/tottenhamhotspur.blackburn" target="_blank">15 million pound winger David Bentle</a>y.
Now, with cash in hand, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1039975/The-Russians-coming--Bentley-Spurs-prepare-break-bank-49m-spree.html" target="_blank">Tottenham looks likely to purchase Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko</a>. If the two Russian stars arrive at Tottenham, that’ll likely mean that <a href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1060567_united_set_for_berba_swoop?rss=yes?rss=yes" target="_blank">Dimitar Berbatov will be exiting White Hart Lane and moving to Manchester United</a>.
In many ways, Tottenham has become this summer’s Chelsea by playing an active role in the transfer market similar to how the Blues have conducted business in previous years. Tottenham is banking on the success of the new players and manager Juande Ramos this season. If Spurs isn’t able to mount a serious challenge this year, there’ll be hell to pay.
If Spurs are able to land Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko, the club probably won’t make any other major transfer signings but will instead concentrate on getting the side ready for the beginning of the new Premier League season scheduled for August 16.
After quite a silly season in the transfer market, deals are beginning to get signed and the excitement is building for the new season, one which promises to be the most competitive in many, many years.

England&#039;s Summer Transfer Market Begins And Ends At Tottenham

England&#039;s Summer Transfer Market Begins And Ends At Tottenham - World Soccer Talk

England's Summer Transfer Market Begins And Ends At Tottenham

<a href="http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/821690/">Who should Spurs buy with the money from the Robbie Keane transfer?</a> (<a href="http://www.polldaddy.com"> surveys</a>)

Poll: Who Should Tottenham Buy Next?

Poll: Who Should Tottenham Buy Next? - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/robbie_keane.jpg" alt="robbie_keane.jpg" align="right" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div>Robbie Keane, one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the Premier League, has joined Liverpool from Spurs for £19 million, which could increase to £20.3 million depending on appearances.
The move is an excellent coup for Liverpool who are desperate for a proven striker to partner Fernando Torres up front. The skilfull Irishman is the perfect spark that the Reds need to put away those golden chances that players such as Kuyt and Voronin typically miss.
While £19 million is a lot of money for a 28-year old striker, Liverpool fans can guarantee that Robbie Keane will explode for the Reds in two ways: (1) on the pitch, in the form of goals, and (2) with his infamous temper tantrums aimed at his managers.
The challenge for Liverpool will be to keep Keane content at the Merseyside club. This is the type of player who is so passionate about playing that he often gets into a rage when substituted. With Liverpool often playing a 4-5-1 and Torres as the preferred striker, it makes you wonder how soon it’ll be before we see Keane’s fiery temper and whether the striker can shake off the reality of not continually being one of the eleven Liverpool starters.
Tottenham has already distanced itself from the transfer deal in order to quel the expected fury of Spurs fans. In a <a href="http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/keanetoliverpool.html" target="_blank">letter on its website</a>, Tottenham chairman David Levy said, “I don’t regard it as a transfer deal – that is something which happens between two clubs when they both agree to trade – this is very much an enforced sale, for which we have agreed a sum of £19m as compensation plus a potential further £1.3m in additional compensation.”
In addition to paying Tottenham £19 million for Keane, Liverpool FC has acknowledged that the way its website reported comments of its manager, which were widely covered by the media, was inappropriate and in light of that acknowledgement has apologised and agreed to make a donation to the Club’s main charity, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
Now that Keane has officially joined Liverpool, Tottenham fans will be expecting the north London club to acquire a world-class striker to replace the Irishman. Spurs fans will also be nervous about the future of Dimitar Berbatov and whether the Bulgarian will be staying at White Hart Lane or not.
Just as the transfer of Paul Robinson from Tottenham to Blackburn was in the best interest of Robinson, the move for Keane to Liverpool is a smart move for the Irish striker. He has the potential to quickly become a Kop favorite as well as playing in the Champions League this season — something he was unable to do at Spurs.

Robbie Keane Is A Ticking Time Bomb Waiting To Explode At Liverpool

Robbie Keane Is A Ticking Time Bomb Waiting To Explode At Liverpool - World Soccer Talk

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Sometimes it’s hard to fathom, but the Big Four as we know them won’t be able to sustain their power forever. At some point in time, one or more of those four will be dislodged and replaced by a new heavyweight. The question is, what team is capable of breaking the monopoly and which of the four clubs will be the first to drop from their mighty perch?
Call me insane, but I honestly believe that this upcoming season will see a shift in the power of English football. The club that will shake up the league reside in London N17 and is named Tottenham Hotspur.
Supporters of Spurs have been used to having their hopes built up only for them to come crashing down, but this season will be different. This will be the first full season that Juande Ramos, one of the best managers in the game, will be in charge. Last season’s experience was a good introduction for Ramos to learn more about his players, the Premier League and how things are different in England. With that knowledge under his belt, Ramos is now ready to deploy his tactical expertise in the matches against the Big Four and the other teams in the Premiership.
The four main reasons why the 16 Premier League clubs outside the Big Four have been unable to dethrone Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are:
<ol>
<li>The 16 Premier League clubs have less money to spend on proven players,</li>
<li>The Big Four have better players to choose from, both on and off the bench, and</li>
<li>The clubs outside the top four have a lack of self belief and, as a result, psychologically think they’re unable to beat the Big Four,</li>
<li>The 16 clubs don’t have the consistency and staying power throughout the entire season to mount a serious challenge.</li>
</ol>
With Tottenham, I believe that under Ramos they have the answer and are able to meet the four main requirements to break into the top four.
Consider these facts:
<ul>
<li>The club has spent more money this summer than any other Premier League side</li>
<li>Spurs has signed the most new talent such as Luka Modric and Giovanni Dos Santos</li>
<li>Tottenham now has a team who is strong in every position</li>
<li>Psychologically, Juande Ramos is turning this Spurs side into winners, and</li>
<li>Ramos is continuing to work on the fitness of the team to ensure they can play the whole season at 100%.</li>
</ul>
This is not Martin Jol’s Tottenham Hotspur. The team has been spending the summer at an exclusive golf resort in Spain where Ramos has been putting the team through its paces. I have a strong feeling about Spurs this season. I may be proven wrong, but I really believe they’ll be able to crack the top four.
Who will be the team most likely to drop out of the top four to make room for Tottenham? It has to be Liverpool. I’ve been unimpressed by Rafa Benitez’s summer signings so far. It seems like he hasn’t been given the money to get a star signing and he instead is buying another crop of players who will quickly go through the Liverpool system and be sold in the next couple of years.
The key for Tottenham is to hold on to Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. That struggle may seem fruitless but it seems that Tottenham are fighting to hold on to them. If they are sold, then Ramos will need to make some astute signings to find players with that caliber. Both Keane and Berbatov are dynamite up front and are one of the best striking partnerships in the world when they’re on song.
It’s time for Spurs to make White Hart Lane a fortress. With the ground possessing some of the most passionate football fans in the country, it’s already an intimidating atmosphere for opposition teams. But what the club needs to do this season is to take it to the next level and to make it like Stamford Bridge where Chelsea are undefeated in the league for years. Clubs need to fear playing at White Hart Lane.
What do you think? Share your feedback below by clicking the comments link.

Tottenham Hotspur Is Ready To Crack The Big Four

Tottenham Hotspur Is Ready To Crack The Big Four - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/robbie-keane.jpg" alt="robbie-keane.jpg"></figure></div>
Robbie Keane bitches
He whines he wanks he whinges
Bottles when it counts
Arsenal squeaked out a 2-1 win over Tottenham in the North London Derby. They were not very convincing, but, unlike last season, it was an unconvincing win.
The match began rather creepily with a friendly handshake between Ramos and Wenger. Gunners fans will miss the murderous glares and terse interactions between Arsene and Fat Tony.
Adebayor scored a brilliant goal from Fabregas’ back-heel. Bendtner had a brilliant one as well. The Gunners are developing what Tottenham thought they were paying big money for, a dynamic and versatile strike-force. The scariest part is that they are only going to get better, with the elder-statesman, Robin Van Persie, a mere twenty-four years old.
The penalty on Toure was a bit harsh. He did appear to have hit the ball before Berbatov’s leg. Berbatov was teetering around like a drunken college girl after a few too many glasses of jungle juice, waiting to go down. Imagine how good Berbatov would be if he could actually move.
“Keane does not miss.”
Manchester United also achieved a rather tenuous victory 2-1 over Everton. Ronaldo’s magnificent finish for the first goal prominently displayed why he may be the preeminent talent in international football. His second goal displayed why he gets overrated, his goal tallies are paded by penalties.
Everton certainly did enough to get a result in the match, and were only foiled by a stupid penalty. For the Toffees to break into the top four, however, they need to turn their gritty performances against the top sides into results. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Liverpool crushed Pompey 4-1. This was a rather unexpected result, as Liverpool have been sup-par at Anfield this season and Portsmouth have been stellar away from Fratton Park. Though the pool are the better’s bane, as you never know which side will show up. Benitez chose a positive starting XI and they lit up the scoreboard for four goals. They would have had a few more if Dirk Kuyt could actually play football. Distin’s own goal would have been a Torres goal if Kuyt hadn’t played the ball two yards behind him.
Portsmouth’s performance spoke for itself. The defense was terrible. Sol Campbell’s mind was obviously too concerned with human rights violations to concentrate. A full beard is a quite fetching look, unfortunately for David James, his comes in patchy. Arry Redknapp’s jowels have their own jowels.
Chelsea beat Blackburn 1-0, continuing the Avram Revolution of flowing, attacking football.
Merry Christmas!

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