Tottenham Hotspur FC

The big news this year is the return of a few of our old boys. The moves that made the biggest waves happened at either end of the transfer window as a couple of goal machines have come back to their spiritual home.

Defoe and Keane’s homecoming has notched plenty of column inches and split fans opinion. The naysayers see the acquisitions as a backward move, the people for their return think it won’t take as long for them to settle.

What can history teach us about those who return to Spurs?

First up is a man who stole our hearts, broke them then stole them all over again. When Jurgen the German came back to us we were knee deep in a relegation battle. Sound familiar? He went on to score 9 goals in 15 apps and was largely credited with keeping us up in 1998.

Back in 2001 Spurs Hall Of Famer Edward Paul Sheringham came back to the Lane after his four-year hiatus in Manchester. Teddy was one of Glen Hoddle’s and Daniel Levy’s first signings. A crowd favourite if you will. Sound familiar? He came back to propel us to our best Premier League finish at the time and a cup final scoring 22 goals in two years to boot.

Looking at these examples it bodes well yeah? Well there are differences. Firstly we didn’t buy Teddy and Jurgen at the same time. Secondly if we had it would have been a good thing because of their proven partnership together in their first coming. Keane and Defoe have not always faired so well in the same team.

If Jermaine and Robbie could have the same impact as either of these guys, this January’s bit of business will be seen as a master stroke. If not…