Tottenham are the team who have committed the biggest transfer blunder of 2024

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been a mix of spectacular highs and disappointing lows. While Spurs have enjoyed emphatic victories against top-tier teams like Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa, they’ve also suffered surprising defeats to lower-ranked sides such as Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace. Amid this inconsistency, their transfer strategy—or lack thereof—has come under sharp focus.

One of Tottenham’s most glaring missteps in 2024 was their failure to reinforce their center-back options during the summer transfer window. This oversight has proven costly, especially as the season progressed and injuries mounted.

At the close of the summer window, Tottenham’s central defensive lineup consisted of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and new signing Radu Dragusin, who replaced Eric Dier. Ben Davies provided some auxiliary support in the position, but the squad’s depth remained thin.

Despite these concerns, manager Ange Postecoglou expressed confidence in the existing options. He told the Evening Standard that Radu Dragusin brought a new dynamic to the squad and dismissed comparisons to the previous season’s defensive situation.

Postecoglou also emphasized his intent not to block the development of young talents like Ashley Phillips and Luka Vuskovic. However, neither player has featured prominently for the club this season, leaving the defensive ranks alarmingly thin.

Fast forward a few months, and Tottenham’s decision not to strengthen their defense has backfired. First-choice center-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are sidelined, as is versatile defender Ben Davies. This injury crisis has forced Postecoglou to field 18-year-old Archie Gray alongside Dragusin, a pairing that has struggled to deliver stability at the back.

The consequences of this defensive frailty have been glaring. Tottenham have dropped crucial points in several matches, with their porous defense often undoing the hard work of their attacking unit. A stronger summer recruitment strategy could have prevented much of this turmoil.

Tottenham’s summer transfer dealings have faced criticism beyond their defensive oversights. The decision to re-sign Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig has also raised eyebrows.

The German international returned to Spurs with an option to buy, but his performances have failed to justify the move. Werner has struggled to make an impact, and his form drew public criticism from Postecoglou in December during a period when the club desperately needed experienced players to step up.

Financially, the deal has not been a bargain either. Reports indicate that Tottenham are covering Werner’s full £165,000-a-week salary, amounting to over £8.5 million annually. Given his limited contributions, this expenditure feels like a misstep, even though the club avoided a mandatory purchase clause.

Tottenham’s failure to address key weaknesses during the summer window has had far-reaching consequences. The lack of depth in defense and the questionable re-signing of Werner highlight a reactive rather than proactive approach to squad building.

While Postecoglou’s preference for nurturing young talent is commendable, it has left the team vulnerable in the short term. This season, more than ever, has underscored the importance of balancing long-term planning with immediate needs.

As Tottenham approach the next transfer window, they must take decisive action to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2024. Strengthening the center-back position should be a top priority, ensuring the team has the depth and quality to withstand injuries and maintain consistency.

Similarly, future signings must align with the team’s immediate requirements and long-term vision. While Werner’s return was intended to bolster the attack, his form and financial cost have proven otherwise. The club must be more strategic in identifying players who can make a tangible impact.

Tottenham’s 2024 season has been a tale of what could have been. Their ability to secure stunning victories against top teams demonstrates their potential, but inconsistency and poor transfer decisions have held them back.

By addressing these shortcomings in the upcoming transfer windows, Spurs can position themselves as serious contenders domestically and in Europe. For now, however, their fans are left to wonder how much better this season could have been with smarter planning and execution.