Source: Daily_Mail
Leo Spall: Chelsea and Spurs make moves but they won't shatter the transfer window
As far as transfer windows go, this one stinks. [LNB]The Community Shield takes place in a little over two weeks and there has been nothing so far to capture the imagination. [LNB]Where are the new players that everyone is looking forward to seeing? What is the magic new ingredient that is going to spice up next season? [LNB] Capital switch: Could Spurs star Luka Modric (right) be about to join Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea?[LNB]The received wisdom is that managers want their players in early, in time for pre-season so they can integrate and adapt to their new environment. Some chance. [LNB]The most interesting move of the summer so far has been Chelsea's recruitment of Andre Villas-Boas but, let's face it, his drawings and one, big happy family approach don't really get the juices flowing. [LNB] More from Leo Spall... Leo's London: Spurs are about to get left at home as Manchester pair and Chelsea kick on06/07/11 Leo's London: Abramovich got his man in Villas-Boas but Chelsea owner must now butt out22/06/11 Leo's London: Walcott and Arsenal fans are crazy if they think Wenger will break the bank08/06/11 Leo's London: West Ham and what they stand for has changed01/06/11 Leo's London: Abramovich is sucking the identity out of Chelsea25/05/11 Leo's London: Capital clubs should be worried as Manchester City march on18/05/11 Leo's London: Would the real Neil Warnock please stand up?12/05/11 Leo's London: Sullivan's stay away was latest in a long line of blunders04/05/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Sunderland fans might have new-found optimism after the club got busy in the transfer market. [LNB]Stoke supporters could be encouraged by the ambition of Tony Pulis, but which other club is pushing the boat out to sell season tickets? [LNB]Manchester United have made the largest splash of the big clubs but even their purchases of Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea have a strong whiff of 'for the future' about them. At least they did their business quickly. [LNB]Gervinho could turn into one of Arsene Wenger's gems at Arsenal but his transfer has been so drawn out that his arrival is old news. [LNB]The summer story at the Emirates is a familiar one too, with the Cesc Fabregas saga continuing and an extra dose of pessimism from the Samir Nasri shenanigans. [LNB]Chelsea have been chasing Luka Modric for what seems like an eternity in another bitter saga, with Tottenham. [LNB]But AVB has hardly come in with all guns blazing in the transfer market and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has certainly not yet got his wish of reinforcements for another push towards the Champions League. [LNB]Even Manchester City have been slow in doing their business and their moves have been obscured by all the noise around Carlos Tevez. [LNB]QPR, the Premier League's new rich kids and home to, wait for it, Kieron Dyer, are hardly flaunting their wealth either. [LNB] Not again: For the second successive summer, the Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona saga is set to rumble on[LNB]Maybe we should be grateful that clubs are showing some caution and acting sensibly for a change. [LNB]But even with UEFA's new financial fair play regulations having an impact, it seems like a moderate market. [LNB]The late August frenzy could still come, of course, and upset many managers' plans for a smooth start to the season. [LNB]So bringing the end of the transfer window forward makes a lot of sense - and not just to keep a jaded columnist excited about the new season! [LNB]Adebayor a big risk for RedknappSpurred on by his success with William Gallas, Harry Redknapp is now keen on another former Arsenal player, Emmanuel Adebayor. [LNB]But even if the Manchester City striker is available on loan, signing him could be a gamble too far for the Tottenham boss. [LNB] Hard to handle: Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor could be heading for Tottenham[LNB]Adebayor may fit the bill in terms of a big front man who is mobile and able to lead the line alone, but he is also an unpredictable character who could cause no end of trouble. [LNB]His attitude at City and Arsenal has been petulant in the extreme at times, he is certainly not a relatively quiet type like Gallas and is far from a favourite at White Hart Lane. [LNB]Make sure you can cut the loan short without too many penalty payments, Harry. [LNB]Fergie's figures good news for GunnersSir Alex Ferguson had better hope that he is wrong about success in the game being cyclical. [LNB]The Manchester United manager's view seems to be that while his club are dominant now, Arsenal's time could come againat some point in the far off future. [LNB] Glory days: Arsenal players celebrate winning the Premier League title in 2004[LNB]But it could be sooner than he thought. Arsenal have won the title every six years since 1930 on average and, with their last one coming in 2004, they are overdue another success. [LNB]Even if star players and the transfer window cannot be forced to work in Wenger's favour, at least the maths can. [LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEClub-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfersPREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: Strips your team will wear in 2011-12[LNB]
