Chadli: Bitter-sweet for some

News about Nacer Chadli's transfer to Spurs coated my timeline today like a delicious chocolate fountain, and boy did we need it. With the addition of the Belgian winger and the continued strengthening of our squad, we can begin to boast the best midfield in the country. And yet, a taste of bitterness, just a hint, lingers on the tongues of some Spurs fans.

Chadli versus the old defence. 

A bit about the player. Chadli was primarily a winger for Dutch club FC Twente. Quick and skillful, the Belgian can play either side of the field, but mostly on the left. For his national team, Chadli has gained 14 caps alongside a very star-studded team, and has played a lot of time in the centre of the midfield for them. He has become Twente's most important player, however, he had his sights set elsewhere, running down his contract in search for a transfer this summer.

One of the things that Spurs were lacking last year was options on the wing past the diminutive Aaron Lennon. Without him, Spurs always look weaker, out of sorts, like a portrait leaning slightly on on
e side. We tried to sort out this wonky portrait with various midfielders, unfamiliar with the position, but the structure was never the same without our No.7. I hope, with Chadli and Townsend in the ranks, that this long term problem will cease to exist.

So what was the reactions of the Spurs fans? Delight at signing a very exciting, young, skillful midfielder who comes right under the Spurs ethos? Satisfaction at the strengthening of our squad? At the very least, delight to see money being spent earlier this summer? Mostly this, but like I said, with a hint of bitterness - bitterness at the fact Spurs have yet to sign a striker.

This one's for the ladies.

I understand the concern. After all, the lack of a typical No.9 cost us many times last season when we needed a goal. Chances and crosses were frequent, the corner count ridiculously high, but with no one to finish it off. The meal was prepared, cooked, plated up, but there was nobody to deliver it. What a waste of good food.

However, to call this signing unnecessary, or a distraction, or wasteful when we should be pursuing a striker, is ridiculous. This was a key issue that had to be addressed, and for £6-7million, the issue may have been solved without putting a dent in our budget. Some people though... If we didn't sign anyone other than a striker for £25million, they would be happy. If we signed Iniesta, Schweinsteiger and Robben, but not a striker, they'd start burning pictures of AVB. Punters eh? As much a part of football as the game itself.

The Belgian Brigade that has swiftly invaded the Premier League has a new recruit. As for Tottenham, I must say that the added ingredient of Belgian chocolate has really made our team much more tasty. Leave out the bitterness guys, I prefer milk chocolate to dark.