The worst transfers in Tottenham’s history: From Dozzell to Ndombele

Fourfourtwo has ranked the worst signings in the history of top English clubs. Tottenham’s total list counts 32 names, with the latest addition being Matt Doherty, who joined from Wolves a few years ago. The most recognisable name in the entire list, then, for a fan is likely to be the mischievous Kevin-Prince Boateng. Let’s take a look at the worst five.

5. Grzegorz Rasiak

The Polish striker only had a glimpse at Tottenham, but even so, fans wanted to forget him quickly. In the summer of 2005, Rasiak arrived from Derby Country, where he scored an impressive 19 goals in one season, in total his transfer cost €3.5 million.

However, the Tottenham engagement didn’t last long at all. During half a year he played 9 games in London, during which he scored only 2 yellow cards without any goal or assist. Spurs sold him for 3 million to Southampton right after half a year.

4. Bongani Khumalo

The African stopper was acquired by Tottenham for less than 2 million from South African SuperSport United in the winter of 2010. Almost immediately he went on loan to Preston, where he played just 6 games in 6 months.

In the summer of 2011, he went on another loan spell, this time to Reading, where he played one game less, 5 games, in six months.

Khumalo’s engagement at Tottenham is 5 years. Almost every six months during that time he changed the team he was away to. So in 2015, after the end of his contract, he decided to return to his SuperSport United. If we searched for his number of games played at Tottenham, we wouldn’t find a single one.

3. Helder Postiga

In the summer of 2003, the Portuguese striker was a hot commodity, being courted by the best teams all over Europe. In the end, it was Tottenham who chose Postiga as their next club. It seemed a sensible decision, as he was 21 at the time. However, in the end, it turned out not to be a good choice at all.

In the one season he spent in the Isles, he played just 19 Premier League games and scored just one goal. So after one year, he moved to Portugal again. Fortunately for Tottenham, Porto paid €1.5 million less for him than the London club. The lanky striker never returned to the Premier League after that.

2. Roberto Soldado

The Spanish cannonballer hides a story that several strikers after and before him have experienced. In La Liga in a Valencia jersey, he bullied opposing defences, giving defenders nightmares for several nights before a game. That’s why Tottenham bought Soldado in 2013 for €30 million, when he was supposed to be the one to drag the team down shooting-wise.

However, the Spaniard struggled incredibly, lasting just 2 years in England and having to move back to the south of Europe. It should be noted that he was never the cannonballer he was in Valencia’s jersey. He made 74 starts for Tottenham, scoring 13 goals and 11 assists. The assumptions and expectations were far greater than the reality subsequently showed.

1. Tanguy Ndombélé

When Tottenham lost to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino wanted to improve his team. He therefore pointed the finger at the midfielder of French side Lyon and the club did not hesitate to spend a record €62 million for him.

However, we all know what the following season was like for Spurs! In the middle of the season, Pochettino was sacked and Jose Mourinho was chosen as his successor. Ndombélé did not fit the Portuguese strategist’s plan. He lasted in the team until the winter of 2022, when he was sent on loan back to Lyon.

Last season, however, the French midfielder was part of Napoli’s winning Serie A team. But now he is a guest at Galatasaray. Although Ndombélé has played 91 games at Tottenham, the problem is his high transfer fee.

Source: Fourfourtwo, Transfermarkt