£26M star became flop of the season after he’s meant to take Spurs to the next level
Tottenham Hotspur has a rich history of showcasing incredible talents, even if their trophy cabinet doesn’t always reflect it.
From Harry Kane to Son Heung-min, some players have defined the Premier League during the club’s peak years under Mauricio Pochettino.
Gareth Bale, during the 2012/13 season, was arguably one of the best players in the world. Even less celebrated figures like Jermain Defoe are recognized as icons in English football.
Despite this array of talent, Spurs have also experienced their fair share of transfer disappointments.
Perhaps none were more infamous than the “magnificent seven,” a group of signings made after Bale’s departure. Among them, one name still evokes a sense of failure: Roberto Soldado.
The “magnificent seven” arrived at Tottenham following Bale’s £85m transfer to Real Madrid. The club sought to reinvest this money in a mix of players to strengthen the squad.
However, only two of the seven can be considered remotely successful. Christian Eriksen, signed from Ajax for £11.5m, turned out to be a pivotal player for Tottenham.
In his 305 appearances, Eriksen scored 69 goals, assisted 88, and played a vital role in the team’s journey to the 2019 Champions League final.
Erik Lamela, another success story, joined from AS Roma for £25.7m and made 257 appearances, contributing 44 assists and 37 goals. His Puskas Award-winning goal in the North London Derby remains a standout moment.
Unfortunately for Spurs, the other signings—Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches, and Paulinho—made little impact and eventually left the club.
But none carried the weight of expectations quite like Roberto Soldado. Signed for £26m from Valencia, Soldado was expected to be a transformative figure for Tottenham.
After scoring 30 goals and providing five assists in 46 games the season before his arrival, fans and pundits alike anticipated big things from the Spanish striker.
Jermain Defoe, at the time, expressed optimism about playing alongside Soldado, describing him as a player capable of taking Tottenham to the “next level.” Defoe’s enthusiasm was shared by the fanbase, as Soldado’s track record made him a promising acquisition. However, things quickly unraveled.
Soldado’s first season at Spurs can be best described as underwhelming. Despite finishing the season with 11 goals and five assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, his Premier League form left much to be desired. In 28 league matches, he scored just six goals and provided five assists. These numbers were far below the expectations set when he arrived at the club.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Goal Involvements per Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011/12 | 51 | 27 | 6 | 0.64 |
| 2012/13 | 46 | 30 | 5 | 0.76 |
| 2013/14 | 36 | 11 | 5 | 0.44 |
| 2014/15 | 40 | 5 | 6 | 0.27 |
While his overall numbers weren’t disastrous, they were far from what was expected from a player brought in to compete for the Premier League Golden Boot.
In his second season, Soldado managed just five goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. His lackluster performances led to his eventual sale to Villarreal for £7m, a significant loss compared to his original transfer fee.
After leaving Tottenham, Soldado’s career never regained the same heights. He played for Villarreal, Fenerbahçe, Granada, and Levante over the following eight seasons.
Despite flashes of his old self, he could never replicate the form that made him a sought-after striker at Valencia. Soldado retired last summer, having never fully recovered from his disappointing spell at Spurs.
In hindsight, Soldado’s transfer remains a cautionary tale for Tottenham. His form at Valencia suggested he was destined for greatness in the Premier League, but for reasons still debated, he never adapted to life in North London.
Despite his obvious talent, his time at Spurs will always be remembered as a flop, leaving fans wondering what could have been had things gone differently.
Read Also: Former Liverpool boss backed to replace struggling Postecoglou at Tottenham
Read Also: Real Madrid have now sent Tottenham a £270M deal warning