So over a week into June and where are we? Time to pause and take stock.
10th. June. The summer transfer window is officially open! Spurs have until 23:00 BST on Thursday, 1 September to add to their squad,
The story so far
Incoming (or in-staying)
Conte is staying and there is no sign of Harry Kane going anywhere other than N17. Ivan Perišić an experienced, flexible and hard-working Croatian has signed.
Fraser Forster is now officially done, on a two-year deal. Once again, experience over potential (Spurs official).
With your permission, I include 21-year-old highly rated Djed Spence from Middlesbrough after a successful loan at Forest who won promotion to the Premier League (Sky Sports).
Just to rebalance the promise/experience equation, and give Emerson Royal nightmares.
Outgoing.
From the official Spurs site. ”We have reached agreement with Celtic for the permanent transfer of Cameron Carter-Vickers.”
This next one just about scrapes in as genuine news. The experienced Andy Scoulding is set to leave Rangers, where he is Chief Scout to join Tottenham. It’s not clear what role he is to perform at Spurs but it is not as part of the recruitment team (Daily Mail).
Bergwijn says he wants to leave (Algemeen Dagblad) and Moura says is content at the time being (Globo Esporte). I think Conte will be happy with both of those.
Actual Action.
Harry scored the equaliser in England’s draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League from a penalty which he earned and took advantage of. Another milestone, his 50th for England. His 53rd career penalty goal (transfermarkt).
In doing so, he leapfrogged Sir Bobby Charlton’s tally of 49 and moved into second place behind Wayne Rooney in the country’s all-time goalscoring list.
Rooney scored 53 goals in his 120 caps over 15 years (2003-2018). Harry has reached his half-century in 71 appearances since his debut goal against Lithuania in March, 2015.
Almost as many goals in more or less half the time and half the games. There are no signs that he won’t make it.
Spurs have now provided more players and goals for England than any other club. In another record-breaking moment for Harry, that penalty took us clear of Manchester Utd 253 to 252.
Not many people knew that.
We’ll draw a line under the two games in which we lost to Hungary and got a late draw with Germany. ‘Not classics’ according to the pundits. I only saw the highlights.
Three of our Proud Boys (no, not those Proud Boys), Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, and Gareth Bale got Wales to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years. (long before they were born) Davies was heroic by all accounts.
We’ll gloss over the fact that it was at the expense of Ukraine who every non-Welshperson in the world was willing to go through.
The rest at the moment is in the swirling mists of rumour, gossip, hearsay, speculation, guesswork and general nonsense, none of which we do at Musings unless it’s especially juicy. Obviously.
The official has a full list of the whereabouts and football activities of the squad during June. Not many lounging on the beach yet.
Plenty more announcements to come I’m guessing in the 10 or so weeks ahead before the Window closes.
Jimmy’s Video Spot.
This one’s safely in the bag. Ivan Perisic. All 19 goals and assists for Inter 20/21. Meets up with Antonio Conte once more. Harry is going to love playing with this boy. Another shrewd signing.
