Tottenham’s maiden voyage in to the dizzy heights of Champions League football gave the supporters a taster of what it was like to watch their team on the biggest stage of European club football. Playing against superpowers such as, Real Madrid and the Milanese giants are adventures the Tottenham fans will be desperate to experience again. Therefore it makes the coming season a critical one for Tottenham, as failure to qualify for the Champions League this season could have implications on the progression of the club.
In order to make the Champions League next season Tottenham must ensure they keep hold of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale this summer. I think the odds of Spurs retaining their two prized assets are in their favour, however, there is quite clearly interest from top clubs in two of the Premiership’s star performers from last season. Ensuring the players don’t have their heads turned by the lure of Champions League football and bigger wages will be a tough task, but if anyone is capable of keeping them it’s Harry Redknapp. Assuming that Bale and Modric both stay with Spurs throughout next season, should the club miss out on a top four spot again, surely it would then cast real doubt over the future of their Tottenham careers.
Keeping their top players will be of vital importance for Spurs, as the competition to gain a Champions League place will be a much tougher ask next season, due to the continual improvement of other teams. Manchester City will be looking to cement themselves as a top four team and you can guarantee that huge sums of money will be spent to help them achieve this. Then there is Liverpool, a side that have been rejuvenated since the return of Kenny Dalglish and the men form Merseyside are building a side capable of attaining Champions League football. Liverpool have been flexing their financial muscles since January in a bid to strengthen their side and make up for the disappointment of missing out on the competition for the last two seasons.
By finishing in fifth place last season Tottenham of course booked a place in the poisoned chalice that is the Europa League. Although it will still bring European football to White Hart Lane, after last season’s rollercoaster ride the Europa League will seem more like the tea cups. More importantly a sustained run in the competition could prove to be a real hindrance to Tottenham’s league form, which could dent their hopes of making the Champions League. This raises the question, if the Europa League could impact on their main goal of a top four finish, how seriously should Tottenham take the competition?
Then we come to the very real possibility that Harry Redknapp could become the next England manager after Euro 2012. Although Spurs fans seem split on their feelings towards Redknapp, I feel if they were to lose him at the end of a season that fails to bring Champions League football, it would be a double blow to the club. Harry has certainly started something special at Tottenham and if he does leave where would it leave Spurs?
If Tottenham qualify for the Champions League next season the club will obviously be in a much stronger position to continue the recent growth that has been evident since Redknapp took charge of the club. They would be in a better position to retain their top players and the financial rewards will be of great importance as Tottenham work towards the development of their new stadium. I think Champions League qualification is crucial for Tottenham next season and the pitfalls of failing to qualify will become evident in the future of the football club.
Written by Tom MacGregor for FootballFancast.com.
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I don’t agree with the title of the article at all. Spurs were only in the Champions League for 1 year. You could have said the same about 2006-7 season or any other season for that matter. The fact is that only Chelsea and Man Utd have shown the consistency over recent years. Manchester City could well cement their place with continued investment. Which leaves Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal. I can see Arsenal finishing in the top 4 more times than not, and Liverpool and Spurs battling for an occasional flirt with the Champions League, but not one of those latter 3 will do it consistently year in year out.