Was it worth it? Superstar goes as 7 new recruits enter...

Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring winner against West Ham last season

After weeks of speculation, near confirmation and U-Turns it can finally be confirmed that Real Madrid have secured the signature of their marquee summer target Gareth Bale (subject to a medical); for a world record transfer of 100m Euros (£85.3m), (whether he is worth it or not, is a whole different debate in itself). Bale who now carries the hefty price tag has all to prove his worth, as he can now add himself to the ever glowing list of Galácticos.

While, the Bale saga was taking place and receiving mass media attention, a lot of action was happening behind the backrooms of the Lane. As Daniel Levy and Franco Baldini were fashioning the plans for the post-Bale Tottenham - which has now resulted in the signing of some of Europe's top footballers, seven to be exact. Which totaled to a staggering £110.5m and with a few more hours left in the transfer window who's to say it's stopping there.

Anyhow, while on paper it does seem all rosey for Spurs, one can't dismiss that Tottenham are ultimately weaker without Bale whether or not they've signed some of Europe's top players.  Don't get me wrong, the signings Spurs have made are top draw and any Football Manager fan like myself has probably tried to buy one of the lucky seven before. However, Bale is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and has been the best player in the Premier-League over the past two seasons. Thus,  being the linchpin and saviour for Spurs for the last couple of seasons - to which weaker counterparts truly do not equate to the former Spurs superstar, that is Bale...

New Tottenham summer signings Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen

Yes, you heard right, I said superstar! Need I remind you of his stats last season; 21 goals with 7 assists in the league alone, with a run of 11 goals in 10 games this very year. While his stats speak for himself; he was very much a big-match/cometh the hour, cometh the man type of player for Tottenham, with his spectacular strike against West Ham in the final minutes of the game coming to mind. Whether or not you agree, Bale was single-handedly deciding games for Spurs last season.

Which is why I feel they are now quite significantly weaker without Bale. For two specific reasons. The first being the most obvious - while they now have a squad with a lot of depth and quality, they are now plagued with a bulky squad full of stars that want to start. Which,  of course will need time to gel as many of these players have been bought after or in the middle of the preseason period. 

Secondly, Spurs's recent success was built around Bale and the "Bale factor" worked for Tottenham, however, now they have to completely restructure and find a formula that works, bearing in mind its a Premier-League season where in my opinion there's six teams who are all close to each other in terms of quality and all fighting for the promise land that is the "Top 4". Had they somehow managed to keep Bale and added to their squad they would have definitely in my mind finished among the top 4. Now however it'll be increasingly difficult even with the quality they've added. 

Yes I can hear you saying how much creativity Eriksen has, or that Lamela scored 15 in 35 for Roma last season. Regardless of this it's a completely different league, style of play and these players need time to gel with their new teammates. 

Having said all of this, this is football and it is a matter of opinion and believe me, my opinion has been wrong a number of times (I said Liverpool were going to win the league in 09/10 and they finished 7th :/).  For all I know Tottenham could be champions come May. Nonetheless we'll let the football do the talking. Have a good one people!