The Fabulous Flops & A Few Diamonds in the Rough at Spurs Part 3 of 4

Today we move on to the 2007 transfer signings for Spurs. More big money signings, and some departures, namely Martin Jol and the introduction of Juande Ramos. Let's look at what came in and out during the year, and before Ramos started making some wholesale changes in 2008.

January 2007:


Ricardo Rocha- (3.3 million pounds) Came in as defensive cover from Benfica during the January window. I was never impressed with him, he was basically insurance, and not very good insurance I must say. Never paired up well with Michael Dawson and Ledley King was hurt most of this season. He hasn't played much since those first couple of months, and what I remember is him getting torched by opposing strikers.
Verdict: Flop

Ben Alnwick- (900,000 pounds) Came in as a future player for the club. We've seen his first action this year, and while he wasn't great in those first appearances at the club, I think he's going to be a good player at some point.
Verdict: Jury's still out

Dean Parrett- (2 million pounds) Came over from QPR and made his debut for us in the Shakhtar Donetsk game. Has still been playing in the youth squad, and might make a run at the first team in preseason training next season.
Verdict: Could be a Diamond

May 2007:

Gareth Bale:- (10 million pounds) It was a bidding war for his services with Manchester United, and most of us Spurs fans considered ourselves the big winners. Started okay, then got injured, so the first year was pretty much a waste. This year I think Gareth almost would have preferred to be injured. He's fallen out of favor with Harry, and now he's been in the reserves for a time. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sold on this summer, he's young and I think he could have a future at the club, but unfortunately it seems the bloom is off the rose so to speak.
Verdict: Unfortunately a Flop

June 2007:

Darren Bent- (16.5 million pounds) What an expensive 3rd striker. That's pretty much what Bent has been since he arrived for a small fortune. If you can believe this, he's our most expensive striker on the books at the moment. I think his career at Tottenham has been summed up during the Portsmouth game when he missed the sitter. Moving on this summer for sure, I'll dance with joy if we even got 10 million pounds for him.
Verdict: Flop

Adel Taarabt- (Unknown) Came in during the summer window and saw a bit of playing time before Ramos sent him to the reserves. Another one of the players not given a squad number this season. Showed some life in his Carling Cup and FA Cup appearances for us at the beginning of 2009. Is currently out on loan at QPR and doing well down there. Could still make something of himself with us, remember he is only 19.
Verdict: Jury's still Out

July 2007:

Younes Kaboul- (8.2 million pounds) Another fabulous flop, lasted one season. Did not play too much, and when Woodgate came into the club, Ramos didn't even put him in the squad most of the squad. Sold on to Pompey in the summer, it's a fly by night thing it seems. One of the biggest of the flops because he cost a lot, and left in less than a year.
Verdict: Flop

Kevin Prince-Boateng- (5.4 million pounds) Came over from Germany with all the expectations on his shoulders. He played a few times for Martin Jol before Ramos came in and then was shoved to the bench. One of the players not given a squad number this summer by Ramos, we've all known he was on his way out since then. Is currently out on loan and probably could use a fresh start. Lacks a bit of maturity, something that seemed to run with a number of the players we signed during this year.
Verdict: Flop

Danny Rose- (1 million pounds) Still down in the youth and reserve teams, he is seen as the next great hope for the club at the left-wing position. What I have been able to read and see about the youngster is promising, but this was definitely a purchase with an eye for the future.
Verdict: Could be a Dimaond one day

Well now, 2007 was not the best year for transfer dealings at the club. At least 48.3 million pounds spent, and no real stars have emerged for us out of this group. 1 has already been sold on, and more than likely 3 more of these will be leaving in the summer. The most promising aspect of these purchases was the youngsters such as Parrett, Rose and Alnwick, hopefully they will come good at some point. But good grief, what a track record during this year.