Ramos’ Spurs can improve without stars, just ask Sevilla
by vou_snipes89 on July 21st, 2008
| 333 words |
With most of the Spurs population currently in shock after the announcement that Robbie Keane is set to follow striker Dimitar Berbatov out of White Hart Lane, fans must be wondering if there is any life after their lethal partnership.
However, Tottenham’s manager Juande Ramos seems unphased at losing his two stars, having always managed to recover from similar situations in his successful two years at Sevilla.
Upon joining the Andalusians, his first task was to replace star-players Julio Baptista and Sergio Ramos who had been sold for a combined fee of £35million to Real Madrid that summer. With the help of his technical director ‘Monchi’, Juande Ramos used that money to great effect, winning 5 titles in 2 seasons:
Federic Kanoute - signed for just £5.1m from Spurs, revived his career with 44 goals in 64 games under JR, helping Sevilla fans get over the loss of Baptista.
Luis Fabiano - after a poor season with Porto, he repaid the faith shown in him by Ramos, scoring 56 in 119 appearances for Sevilla.
Javier Saviola - brought in on loan to further strengthen their attack in 2005, he was pivotal in their UEFA Cup triumph, scoring 6 goals.
Ivica Dragutinovic - part of the famous Serbian defence that only conceded 1 goal in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, ‘Drago’ was a surprise replacement for Sergio Ramos but has been a key figure in the Sevilla defence ever since his signature.
Andres Palop - being Canizares’ understudy for so long at Valencia, Palop was seen as a gamble to replace Esteban in the Sevilla goal. However, he soon became a fans favourite, most significantly in the UEFA Cup final against RCD Espanyol where he saved 3 of 4 penalties.
His knack of signing the right players in the right mould, in addition to bringing up youth players (Puerta, Navas, Capel) can assure Tottenham fans that Juande Ramos knows what it takes to create a successful team, regardless of whether his ’stars’ are there come August 16…
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Tagged Under: berbatov, Juande Ramos, robbie keane, Sevilla, tottenham
Zz_Xap17 - July 21st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
As things stood, had the summer gone the way it looked like going, and the Big 4 losing, respectively, Ronaldo, Adebayor, Drogba and Lampard and Spurs managed to hang on Berbs and Robbie, then it would have been an almighty season for Spurs. As it is, things will probably stay the same. Again.
As for the Sevilla record, yes Ramos did achieve all that, but in 1 season? Consistent UEFA Cup qualification is now Spurs target, creating a Top 4 below the Top 4, although markedly more interesting and competitive. Empire building will hopefully follow
Olly - July 21st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
The danger of Ramos having a successful season despite losing Berbs and Keano will be that we will have one of the failing European ‘big’ teams for the season sniffing around him.
Would he do to us what he did to Seville and leave? - I think he might.
J - July 21st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I say f*** Berbatov and Keane ! Especially Keane after all the pledges of loyalty, he drop the club as fast he can drop his pants..
I can’t wait for us to overtake Liverpool in the top 4 this season and see Keane suffered a Deja vu..Remember Leeds without CL football ?
Only this time, there is no chance to come back and may he enjoyed his retirement playing for Liverpool vs Leeds.
Spurt - July 21st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Surely Robbie can just about taste success with THFC, ….after all this time?
He must be excited and motivated by what’s going on around him. These things are cyclical, ask Man U, Leeds, Swansea, Sheff Wed. etc. they all get their day.
billiospur - July 21st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
ive been saying no sale berba or keane…………
now not right …….Man u ,n liverpud …….bollerx
tap tap tap……….peees off the lot of em.let them get on with it
levy great……… you said it as it is
new frontilne ……prove yourselves!!
Bristol_Spur - July 21st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
In Ramos we trust! I think we can get as much money as possible and bring in some fresh players. Hopefully Keane’s face will be as red as Liverpool’s home shirt come the end of the season if he goes, as for Babytov I would have fined him more than one weeks wages that is being reported for being the incredible sulk in Spain. Does he not realise we have players who wear our shirt with pride and don’t need his attitude around the place. Spurs will be around a lot longer than these two.
dr.kyrie - July 26th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
well put vou, i only hope that it doesn’t mean yet another season of transition though, we shall see.
maybe he’ll give youth a chance this season, especially now that we can field 7 subs.
dr