The signing of Republic of Ireland winger Duff from Chelsea could lessen the pain for Spurs fans this summer. There is a distinct possibility that a high calibre member of the current squad will be heading for the exit doors. Manchester United have started sniffing around Jermain Defoe, and have been chasing after Michael Carrick since before the World Cup, much to the club's displeasure.
Duff is poised to become Tottenham's third big money signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Dimitar Berbatov and Didier Zokoro for a combined fee of around £20 million. Duff is expected to cost a further £11 million, and the club has also acquired full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, as strengthening the squad has become top priority in preparations for a return to Europe in the new season.
However, Chris Curtain in The Guardian, writes: ‘The questions Spurs' fans will now be asking is how all this will be paid for.' And Mark Irwin in The Sun takes a similar view: ‘Fans fear the books will have to be balanced by the sale of Jermain Defoe.'
On a more positive note, the addition of Duff will solve the issue of balancing the team's offensive qualities. There is currently less serious competition on Tottenham's left wing compared with the right, after Aaron Lennon's first season in the Premiership culminating in his first England cap and appearances at the World Cup. Wayne Routledge has also returned from a loan spell at Portsmouth and will be determined to figure in Jol's plans.
‘With Duff on one wing and Aaron Lennon on the other, Spurs boss Martin Jol now has a team he feels is ready to challenge for major honours,' adds Irwin.
Meanwhile Christopher Davies in The Daily Telegraph considers the pros and the cons of a move for Duff. He writes: ‘Duff can give Spurs the final push towards Champions League football. Jol likes pace in his attack and with Lennon and Duff on the wings he would certainly have that.
Then he questions the potential that Duff will bring to White Hart Lane, following three years in west London which saw him play a major part in Chelsea's first Championship winning campaign, then take more of a backseat last season. Davies adds: ‘He now rarely displays the qualities that persuaded Chelsea to buy him.'