‘In the stands’: Alasdair Gold shares what Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange were doing during Tottenham vs PSG
The sight of Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange engaged in animated conversations during Tottenham’s heartbreaking UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG has sparked intense speculation about the club’s imminent transfer business.
Football.London’s Alasdair Gold captured the telling moment when Tottenham’s current technical director and his predecessor were deep in discussion throughout the match, their visible exchanges suggesting urgent planning was underway in the stands of Udine’s Bluenergy Stadium.
Paratici’s presence at the match carries particular significance. The former Juventus sporting director, whose 30-month worldwide football ban expired in July, remains intimately involved with Tottenham despite lacking an official title.
His close relationship with Daniel Levy and continued advisory role at the club became evident as he analyzed the action alongside Lange, the current technical director tasked with executing Thomas Frank’s vision.
The duo had plenty to digest during an emotionally charged encounter that saw Tottenham dominate European champions PSG for 70 minutes before collapsing late in the game.
While the 2-2 draw and subsequent penalty shootout defeat showcased Frank’s tactical acumen, it also exposed worrying deficiencies in squad depth that became painfully apparent when PSG’s superior bench options changed the game.
Gold’s observation of “animated conversations” between the transfer chiefs suggests they recognized these limitations in real time.
As Luis Enrique introduced game-changing substitutions like Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos, Frank’s options remained conspicuously limited – a reality that surely dominated Paratici and Lange’s discussions.
The contrast between PSG’s €200m worth of attacking talent on the bench and Tottenham’s reliance on untested youngsters highlighted the work still required in North London.
This visible collaboration between past and present recruitment architects hints at potential movement in the transfer market.
With just weeks remaining before the window closes, Tottenham urgently need reinforcements in several key areas:
- Creative Midfield Depth – The absence of a genuine playmaker beyond James Maddison (currently injured) became glaring as Spurs struggled to maintain control in the latter stages
- Attacking Versatility – Over-reliance on Son Heung-min’s replacement Mohammed Kudus was evident when PSG nullified Tottenham’s attacking threat
- Defensive Reinforcement – While Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven excelled, the lack of experienced backup remains concerning
Paratici’s continued involvement suggests Levy values his eye for talent and negotiating skills, despite the Italian’s controversial past.
His presence alongside Lange – who joined from Aston Villa last summer – creates an intriguing dynamic as Tottenham approach the final weeks of the transfer window.
The Super Cup performance proved Frank can outmaneuver elite opponents with limited resources. But as Paratici and Lange’s visible discussions demonstrated, converting promising performances into silverware will require serious investment.
Their animated exchanges in Udine may well have been the first step toward addressing the squad imbalances that ultimately cost Tottenham against Europe’s best.
With the new Premier League season looming, Tottenham’s transfer team now faces a race against time to equip Frank with the tools his tactical vision deserves.
If those intense conversations in the stands translate into decisive action in the market, this painful defeat could yet prove the catalyst for meaningful progress.