Seven gamers Spurs signed after £85m Bale switch – and what occurred to them
Back in the summertime of 2013, Tottenham Hotspur splashed the money from Gareth Bale’s £85m switch to Real Madrid on a rebuild of the squad which noticed seven new gamers arrive.
However, a rocky begin to the season led to a swift change in administration, whereas a number of the new recruits departed inside only a 12 months or two.
Bale’s success in Spain is well-known, regardless of some followers not absolutely embracing him. Meanwhile, Spurs took their time to seek out kind beneath Mauricio Pochettino, however a number of the 2013 recruits did play their half, as advised by the Mirror.
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Fast ahead a decade, how are these gamers doing now? Daily Star Sport additionally takes a more in-depth take a look at that eventful switch window and what’s occurred within the decade since.
Etienne Capoue
The French midfielder joined Spurs after impressing with Toulouse in France. Despite this, he struggled to safe a first-team spot in north London. After simply 24 league appearances in two seasons, he moved to Watford in 2015 the place he discovered extra success.
Who had been Tottenham’s highest and really worst signings with the Gareth Bale switch cash? Let us know within the feedback part.
(Image: AFP by way of Getty Images)
He performed a vital position within the squad that made it to the FA Cup remaining in 2019, however could not forestall Watford from being relegated the next 12 months. After beginning the 2020/21 Championship season with them, he moved again to Europe to play for Villarreal, the place he nonetheless performs.
His first season in Spain noticed him elevate a trophy, as Unai Emery’s workforce triumphed over Manchester United within the Europa League remaining. He was named man of the match within the remaining in Gdansk, and in addition helped Emery’s workforce attain the Champions League semis the following season.
Nacer Chadli
Chadli joined the Belgian crew at Spurs, however did not keep so long as fellow countrymen Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. He had one nice season, scoring 11 league targets in Pochettino’s first 12 months in cost, however Spurs made a revenue after they offered him to West Brom in 2016.
Since leaving West Brom in 2018, the winger has been throughout Europe. After stints in France and Turkey, he went again to Belgium with Westerlo in 2022 – first on mortgage after which completely.
He has performed a number of video games for the workforce this season with out scoring. Westerlo are protected for now, however aren’t removed from the relegation spots.
(Image: GETTY)
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Vlad Chiriches
The Romanian defender, who left his homeland to go for north London, by no means correctly settled in English soccer and fell down the pecking order shortly beneath Pochettino, with Eric Dier being most popular. He is now again in Romania with FCSB, who performed Europa Conference League champions West Ham final season on their path to the trophy.
The centre-half, although, did take pleasure in an honest spell in Italy after his Spurs days, enjoying commonly for Sassuolo.
Now aged 34, harm is catching up with him having been sidelined all season up to now, however FCSB nonetheless sit prime of the desk with out him. So each cloud!
Erik Lamela
Lamela, the priciest of the seven signings, left Tottenham with a blended legacy. The £35m star turned a fan favorite for his work price and unforgettable rabona purpose towards Arsenal. Although a hip downside that required two operations and left him sidelined for over a 12 months throughout 2016 and 2017 stemmed his progress.
(Image: JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP by way of Getty Image)
After leaving Spurs in 2021, Lamela joined Sevilla and was a part of their Europa League profitable squad in 2023. Despite a difficult season, he is been discovering the again of the web in La Liga.
Paulinho
Paulinho, the Brazilian prospect, did not have one of the best time at Spurs. His low level was being despatched off in a heavy defeat towards Liverpool.
After falling out of favour in his second season, Paulinho moved to Guangzhou Evergrande after they made a proposal. He did effectively within the Chinese Super League, incomes a short stint at Barcelona.
(Image: Visual China Group by way of Getty Images)
Following his time in Catalunya, Paulinho returned to China earlier than spending a 12 months with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. He’s now again at Corinthians, the place he first made his title, however has been stricken by accidents.
Roberto Soldado
Soldado was signed to fill the purpose hole left by Bale’s departure. He began off effectively, however quickly the targets stopped coming for the Spanish participant.
The £26m man solely managed to attain one league purpose in his second season at Spurs, and so they took a hefty loss after they offered him to Villarreal for £10m. Despite scoring at the least 10 league targets in every of his six seasons earlier than transferring to England, he did not obtain this even as soon as afterwards.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Soldado continued enjoying till he was 38, ending his profession with Levante. He hung up his boots final season, having scored slightly below 300 profession targets – solely 16 of which had been for Spurs.
Christian Eriksen
A real success story, because the Dane turned a correct fan favorite together with his unimaginable imaginative and prescient and affect in assault. Eriksen commonly supplied assists for the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, whereas additionally displaying he was world-class at dictating play from the center of the park.
The £11m signing from Ajax was price each penny as he notched up greater than 300 appearances for Tottenham. He finally moved on just a few months after Pochettino’s exit, signing for Inter Milan in January 2020.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Eriksen’s collapse at Euro 2020 terrified the world of soccer, however happily, he made a full restoration and kick-started his profession at Brentford. Manchester United had been satisfied he nonetheless had what it takes to chop it on the prime stage, and he stays an necessary element of Erik ten Hag’s workforce now, though we’re certain he’d somewhat issues be going higher at Old Trafford…
He began United’s 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham final Sunday, which stored Spurs six factors above the Red Devils as they hunt qualification for the Champions League.
* This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI instrument, which accelerates Daily Star’s editorial analysis. An editor reviewed this content material earlier than it was printed. You can report any errors to [email protected]
