Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has recently denied that Portsmouth are now paying the price for his lavish spending in his two spells as manager. However he is certainly benefitting from their apparent need to offload the highest paid players after his departure.
One of the quartet of players he brought to Spurs from Portsmouth was Croatian International Niko Krancjar.
A deadline day signing for Spurs, who have a healthy Croatian contingent with Vedran Corluka and Luka Modric, Krancjar joined his former boss at Tottenham for a mere £2.5 million.
And it was £2.5 million very well spent.
The son of Dinamo Zagreb legend Zlatko Krancjar, the versatile midfielder is surely a contender for signing of the summer. With eight goals in all competitions, and six assists, plus an impressive 53 shots showing that he brings bags of confidence as well and creativity to the Spurs side. (stats from ESPN Soccernet)
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, said: "When you talk about signings of the year - Niko is right up there.
"He's been a fantastic signing for Tottenham, he cost us just £2.5million from Portsmouth.
"I was the manager at Fratton Park who brought Niko over for the same money from Hajduk Split in Croatia to the Premier League.
"He is a terrific player with a great touch and solid technique. The way he has played for us since signing in September has been top class.
"It was a while before he got a run in the side but now he looks unshakeable.I've developed good contacts with people in Croatia like their national manager Slaven Bilic, Davor Suker and Igor Stimac.
"A bit of a bonus is that Niko has been weighing in with some goals from midfield. He's got eight this season so far - seven for us.
"And, of course, there is the great understanding he has with his Croatian team-mates Modric and Vedran Corluka."
Krancjar has confirmed that Everton expressed an interest in him, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a long time admirer.
And any interest from Spurs greatest rivals will always increase a player's worth.
A firm fan favourite, the playmaker has been a great addition to the Spurs squad and has recently expressed a desire for a long and profitable future at the club.
And the last word goes to the man himself:
In an in-depth interview with Matt-Lawton of the Daily Mail, Krancjar, said: 'If I stay at Spurs for the whole of my career, then I will be a happy footballer."
'I always wanted to come to a club with this kind of history and these kind of players.
'Tottenham is an exciting place to be. A club that has big goals. 'The competition is intense here in England, but we genuinely believe we have the quality to achieve our objectives. We have a strong squad, and a lot of quality.'
First published on www.ComeOnSpurs.com on 6/4/2010
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