Spurs have performed some top notch commercial enterprise in the January transfer window over the years, signing the likes of Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski to title a few.
However, the Lilywhites have had their honest share of questionable transfers, some of which absolutely make you wonder, ‘What on earth had been we thinking?’
So, with this year’s January transfer window coming to a close, who are the worst January signings in Tottenham history? We’ve compiled a list rating the top 10, factoring in price, stats, ability, and ROI (return on investment). Brace yourself for this outing down reminiscence lane, it’s not pretty.
10. Lewis Holtby (2013)
The German midfielder signed for Spurs from Schalke four in 2013 for a charge of £1.5 million. After an superb begin to his remaining season with the German club, Spurs fast-tracked the cross following an initial pre-contract settlement for the summer.
With this decision got here an introduced weight of exhilaration and expectation for the younger German player, however, he failed to hit the floor walking with little, if any, have an effect on at some stage in his brief spell at the club.
Despite being loved by some fans, myself included, for his bubbly personality and strong work ethic, the German solely featured 39 instances for Spurs, scoring just twice [via Transfermarkt]. Holtby used to be loaned to Fulham after his first season with the club, earlier than returning to Germany in 2015.
9. Zeki Fryers (2013)
Signed fom Standard Liège in 2013 for £3 million, Spurs fans were excited by means of the arrival of Zeki Fyers, a young prospect who had come up through the famous Manchester United academy.
Things clearly didn’t work out as planned though, with the young Englishmen featuring just 15 times for the club’s first team and 23 times for the U23s. Just one 12 months after signing for the Lilywhites, he was sold to Crystal Palace where he went on to function just nine times at some stage in a three-year spell [viaTransfermarkt].
8. Kazyuki Toda (2003)
Following a successful marketing campaign with Japan in the 2022 World Cup, which saw the kingdom top their group, Spurs idea they had come throughout a gem through signing the midfielder on loan from Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Japanese worldwide featured simply 4 times for Spurs [via Transfermarkt] earlier than being despatched again to his guardian club, proving that judging gamers off the returned of an worldwide match is often unrewarding.
7. Steven Pienaar (2011)
When Tottenham signed Steven Pienaar for £3 million in 2011, they were watching for an experienced Premier League midfielder to come in and add fee to the squad in advance of a push for European football.
Unfortunately, the South African couldn’t hit the highs he had at Everton, presenting simply 18 instances for Spurs scoring once and supporting twice [viaTransfermarkt]. Pienaar lower back to Everton after one season at The Lane.
6. Ryan Nelson (2012)
With Sébastien Bassong joining Wolves in the 2012 January window, Tottenham had been on the hunt for a substitute centre-back. Following rumours linking Spurs to some of the most thrilling younger defenders in Europe, the membership had finally settled on 35-year-old Ryan Nelsen, who joined on a free switch from Blackburn Rovers. It’s protected to say that Ryan’s time was once underwhelming, featuring simply 8 times for the club [via Transfermarkt] before being released in May, solely a few months after signing for the club.
5. Hossam Ghaly (2006)
The Egyptian midfielder joined the club for a charge of £2.5 million and is often remembered by means of Spurs fans for his moment of madness in a recreation against Blackburn in 2007. Brought on after 29 minutes, Martin Jol had taken Hossam off half of an hour later, which noticed the midfielder unleash his frustration. This concerned getting rid of his shirt, throwing it onto the ground and storming down the tunnel into the dressing room.
This occurred to be Hossam’s remaining sport for the membership following 34 appearances in two years [viaTransfermarkt], earlier than a mortgage spell to Derby in 2008 in advance of a everlasting go away to Al Nassr in 2009.
4. Gedson Fernandes (2020)
Gedson joined the membership on an initial 18-month mortgage deal in 2020, with an alternative for the deal to be made everlasting for a mind-boggling charge of £42.76 million [via Sky Sports]. A fee of such magnitude, one would anticipate an elite talent, however, Gedson was far from this.
With just 14 appearances throughout all competitions for Tottenham over a 12-month duration [via Transfermarkt], Gedson Fernandes failed to spotlight his price and by no means lived up to his ginormous price tag. The young midfielder used to be recalled via Benfica within 12 months and now performs in Turkey for Besiktas.
3. Gilberto (2008)
Gilberto joined the membership for a fee of £2.5 million in the 2008 January window, the equal window in which Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate also arrived at the club. After an amazing spell at Hertha Berlin, netting 15 desires and 16 assists over a four-year spell, there was exhilaration surrounding the Brazilians’ arrival in Tottenham.
Unfortunately, Gilberto never lived up to the hype, making simply 10 appearances for the membership in the 2008/9 season [via Transfermarkt], earlier than leaving on a free transfer and returning to Brazil with Cruzeiro.
2. Ricardo Rocha (2007)
It fee Tottenham £3 million to bring in the Portuguese centre-back, who joined the membership in 2007 from Benfica. The start to Ricardo’s Spurs career looked promising, commonly appearing in games for the remainder of the 2006/7 season, however, things took a turn with the start of the 2007/8 season.
Ricardo Rocha fell out of favour, with his final look for the club in September 2007 – he would continue to be at the membership for some other two seasons, now not featuring once, earlier than departing the membership on a free switch in 2009. Ricardo made just 14 appearances for Tottenham all through a three-year spell at the club [via Transfermarkt].
1. Bongani Khumalo (2011)
Most Spurs fans have likely never heard of Bongani Khumalo, and that’s due to the fact his transfer used to be a entire failure. Bongani joined the club from South African aspect SuperSport for just over £1 million, his first go outdoor his native country.
Khumalo would go on to have a five-year spell at the club, from 2011-2015, with zero appearances for the first group – he was once loaned out on 5 separate activities earlier than re-joining SuperSport in 2016.
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