• They can sign almost anybody, says Tottenham manager
• Redknapp hoping to add ‘one or two players’ to squad
Tottenham’s manager Harry Redknapp believes it is only a matter of time before Manchester City win the Premier League.
Both clubs are currently in the United States for the New York Challenge and though Spurs beat big-spending City to fourth place and a Champions League qualifying tie last time, Redknapp believes their financial clout will earn them the title soon.
City’s owner Sheikh Mansour has bankrolled another summer spending spree this year – and yesterday the club completed the signing of the Serbia left-back Aleksandar Kolarov for a reported £18.9m from Lazio. He has joined Jerome Boateng (£10.5m), David Silva (£29m) and Yaya Toure (£24m), while the club’s manager Roberto Mancini is also keen to sign Internazionale’s striker Mario Balotelli. A reported £24m offer is on the table.
Redknapp feels if things continue then City will inevitably get a return. “They can go out and sign almost anybody,” he told the BBC. “They have come over here to New York and have almost 80 people in their party – it is just incredible.
“Money seems to be no problem, because the man who owns the club has so much. I genuinely think that eventually they will win the championship. If they continue and the owner stays involved, and he seems very keen, then I can see them in the next few years putting together a team that will win the Premier League.”
Tottenham failed in their bid to land the free agent Joe Cole after the England midfielder joined Liverpool at the end of his Chelsea contract. However the club continue to be linked with the likes of Real Madrid’s veteran Raul and Sevilla’s Brazil striker Luis Fabiano.
Redknapp said: “We have got a big squad, but having one or two new faces freshens everything up, and gives you a little push – and I think we need to do that.
“I do not think you have to spend big money in our situation. There are one or two players out there, whether it be loans or free transfers. You do not have to spend fortunes, but there are one or two players who would improve us.”
Tottenham will play Sporting Lisbon today before returning to England, but Redknapp revealed he would much rather have stayed closer to home.
“I would be a liar if I said it was the perfect way to prepare for the new season, because it is not,” he said. “We have found it difficult to get the training sessions in that we want.
“But that is the game now – we just go where we are told. Teams go all around the world now – Everton were in Australia. If I had my way, I would be in Scotland having a couple of games, or down to Devon, where we used to stay at [the former Formula One world champion], Nigel Mansell’s hotel and play Plymouth, Torquay or Exeter.”
Redknapp revealed there were concerns over the fitness of Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King ahead of the season, which kicks off against Manchester City at White Hart Lane and will see Tottenham play their Champions League qualifier before the end of August.
“Jonathan will not be fit for the start of the season,” Redknapp said. “He’s in a position where he can’t train or kick a ball. Ledley has come back and his knee is not great and he has a groin problem.”
Redknapp, meanwhile, hopes Robbie Keane, who spent part of last season on loan at Celtic, will reintegrate into the squad. “Robbie is a fantastic professional, who trains hard and wants to play,” said the Spurs manager. “I still think he has a lot to offer. The thing is, he wants to play all the time.
“There is every chance he could start the season, but if it doesn’t work out then I am sure he will be the first one to come and tell me that he needs to play somewhere.”
Harry RedknappTottenham HotspurManchester CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk
