When I started this article I intended to make a top ten list for signings under Levy’s reign. As the list materialised I could see my bias leading me to a long list of forwards so instead I have adopted it to make a ‘best 11’ team of Levy’s signings.
That means academy players will not be selected so no place for the likes of Kane or King unfortunately. Maybe one day I will try to make a ‘best 11’ from the academy but I think that will be a stretch!
The stats provided are based only on Premier league appearances for Spurs. For this team I will go with the formation: 4-2-3-1.
Position: GK – Hugo Lloris
Premier League: 2012-24
Appearances: 361
Clean sheets: 127
Transfer In: €12.6m
Transfer Out: Free
Summary: Solid Goalkeeper, just don’t give him the ball to feet.
Position: RB – Kyle Walker
Premier League: 2009-17
Appearances: 183
Goals: 4
Assists: 15
Transfer In: €5.9m
Transfer Out: €52.7
Summary: Not a lot got past him with his pace and strength, but not the best going forward.
Position: LB – Christian Ziege
Premier League: 2001-04
Appearances: 47
Goals: 7
Assists: 13
Transfer In: €6.5m
Transfer Out: Free
Summary: A short stint and we didn’t have him in his prime but his stats speak for themself.
Position: CB – Michael Dawson
Premier League: 2004-14
Appearances: 236
Goals: 7
Assists: 5
Transfer In: €7m
Transfer Out: €4.4m
Summary: Maybe not everyone’s choice but in my opinion you can’t beat a good old fashioned centre half who commits to every ball.
Position: CB – Toby Aldeviereld
Premier League: 2015-21
Appearances: 174
Goals: 8
Assists: 4
Transfer In: €16m
Transfer Out: €13m
Summary: A pretty reliable defender who helped complete a back four when he joined, I am just surprised by the stats he didnt have more assists.
Position: DM – Moussa Dembele
Premier League: 2012-19
Appearances: 181
Goals: 7
Assists: 7
Transfer In: €19m
Transfer Out: €5.35m
Summary: Strong in the tackle and composed on the ball, one of the best ever DM’s in a Spurs shirt and very difficult to replace.
Position: DM – Luka Modric
Premier League: 2008-12
Appearances: 127 Games
Goals: 13
Assists: 18
Transfer In: €22.5m
Transfer Out: €35m
Summary: I think Real got a bit of a bargain here at €35m. 39 years of age and still playing! What a legend.
Position: AM – Christian Eriksen
Premier League: 2013-20
Appearances: 226
Goals: 51
Assists: 65
Transfer In: €14.2m
Transfer Out: €27m
Summary: Look at those stats, always a threat. He was also a spot kick specialist.
Position: LW – Gareth Bale
Premier League: 2007-13
Appearances: 166
Goals: 53
Assists: 27
Transfer In: €14.7m
Transfer Out: €101m
Summary: Unbelievable player, lightning pace, strength on the ball, dribbling and a shot out of this world. Quite often won matches single handedly.
Position: RW – Rafael van der Vaart
Premier League: 2010-12
Appearances: 63
Goals: 24
Assists: 16
Transfer In: €10.5m
Transfer Out: €13m
Summary: Not sure if everyone will agree with this one but look at those stats. Whoever sanctioned his sale wants to be put in front of a firing squad.
Position: FW – Dimitar Berbatov
Premier League: 2006-08
Appearances: 70
Goals: 27
Assists: 20
Transfer In: €15.7m
Transfer Out: €38m
Summary: Another one we let go way too early but what a player. Great talent and very intelligent player too.
Subs:
Some of these positions were so difficult to pick so I have chosen a few subs as well.
Paul Robinson – 175 Games & 51 Clean Sheets
Small trivia: I scored against him from the edge of the box when he played for Sunday boys team in Beverley, he probably doesn’t remember lol. He went on to play for England, I went on to write a blog haha.
Jan Vertonghen – 232 Games & 8 Goals / 4 Assists
Summary: Another solid defender and unlucky not to be in the first 11.
Micky van de Ven – 36 Games & 3 Goals / 2 Assists
Summary: Still early days for him but he’s already shown huge potential in the Premier League.
Benoît Assou-Ekotto – 155 Games & 4 Goals / 8 Assists
Summary: I loved this guy, as cool as they come on the ball, never looked fazed.
Scott Parker – 50 Games & 3 Assists
Summary: An absolute workhorse and always gave 100%.
Michael Carrick – 64 Games & 2 Goals / 4 Assists
Summary: Another short stint but a quick transfer out showed just how much he was valued in the Premier league. Shame we couldn’t hold onto him for longer.
Aaron Lennon – 266 Games & 26 Goals / 51 Assists
Summary: Lightning pace always made him a threat but I think his end product could let him down at times. To be fair those stats are still pretty impressive.
Erik Lamela – 177 Games & 17 Goals / 23 Assists
Summary: Too many injuries but I loved his flair and commitment. Certainly made him a good impact player off the bench.
Son Heung-min – 324 Games & 126 Goals / 69 Assists
Summary: Playing alongside the likes of Kane and Dele Alli we saw the best of him and deserves a place on the bench.
Jermain Defoe – 276 & 91 Goals / 15 Assists
Summary: Another one unfortunate not to make the first 11. Not many in the game were as clinical in front of goal in or out of the box.
Robbie Keane – 238 Games & 91 Goals / 26 Assists
Summary: A different sort of striker but his goal ratio is pretty impressive and is definitely worth at least a place on the bench.
Didn’t make the cut:
Even with an additional 11 players on the bench I have struggled to find room for some players. A few others that didn’t make the squad but are at least worth a mention include:
Dejan Kulusevski (2022-Present)
Lucas Moura (2018-23)
Dele Allí (2015-22)
Emmanuel Adebayor (2011-15)
Peter Crouch (2009-11)
Gus Poyet (2001-04)
Danny Rose (2007-21)
Younes Kaboul (2007-15)
So, how did I do ?
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