Thread: Whens the last time we had a big name come to Spurs

Whilst Modric & GDS were both big, upcoming names, touted for stardom & both coups for Spurs, neither have quite been around long enough to truly be called 'world class'. Neither have really been integral parts of major cup-winning sides.

Davids, Klinsmann, Ardiles, Villa were all in a different league. I really believe we are missing the influence such players can have. We have talented, skillful youth but they need the direction that such experience can bring. The best thing Burkinshaw ever did was bring those 2 world cup winners to the Lane. Spurs went from promotion back to the 1st division to winning domestic trophies & then European all within 5 years & the influence of Villa & especially Ardiles was immense. Davids came to the Lane & we finished 5th in 2 consecutive seasons & when Klinnsman came he had the immediate effect of turning our season around!

Lineker & Gascoigne, whilst neither ever winning the cups to support their deserved status among World greats, they have ample personal silverware & both were in the England side that came 4th in the 1990 World Cup & were definitely the biggest names in England at that time. They came to Spurs & immediately won us 3rd place in the league & then brought us the FA Cup not long after. i think we really need someone of similar calibre now to help us properly push on next season.

Ginola was no 'World Star'. He was barely an International with just 17 caps so he never got the proper opportunity to prove himself on the world stage. He won a few cups & things in France & a League Cup with us but his trophy cabinet is hardly bursting at the seams with major silverware.

However, like Lineker & Gascoigne, he did win many personal accolades & was widely accepted to be a great player during his time in England.

I wouldn't argue for a second that a player like Ginola could not bring success to Spurs but I purposefully missed out his name as I don't feel he actually does qualify as a 'World Star'.

Is it always a good thing to bring in a big name player? I'm sure if we'd put our minds to it last summer we could have signed a player like (the Brazilian) Ronaldo- a player who still meets the criteria of being 'well known across the world'.

The trouble is, noteriety does not always equate with quality. Both Davids and Klinsmann were at a similar age to Ronaldo now but they were able to contribute a great deal beyond what would be considered the prime age of a footballer.

Ronaldo, who even now is probably more well known globally that Jurgen or Edgar ever were, would never be able to make an impact in the way those two did. Similarly, I do not think someone like Beckham would necessarily be a good signed, despite his noteriety.

Kev, I'm solely going by honours won. Ginola was a wonderful player & I've never said otherwise, but he achieved virtually nothing on the world stage, although it was no fault of his own.

errr modric..................