Christopher Chang: Nelsen not the right fit for Spurs

Ryan Nelsen. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Harry Redknapp had been noticeably absent during January's transfer countdown. Facing tax evasion charges in court, the Spurs gaffer barely registered a mention as the transfer window slowly closed - until the last minute.

It was classic Redknapp. Dropping clues and names, and then the final bombshell. The Cockney character has always had a shrewd eye in the transfer market - just don't call him a "wheeler dealer".

But nobody expected this one. Not New Zealand football fans, and definitely not the Spurs faithful. Ryan Nelsen's move to North London is huge for the Cantabrian. It could be positive for New Zealand football - anyone would benefit from exposure to a top English club. But for Tottenham, it's a curious move and possibly a bad decision.

Let's be clear that this is not an attempt to belittle the All Whites captain. Nelsen is unquestionably New Zealand's best footballer in recent history. He has been a rock for Blackburn, and an inspirational captain for club and country. But Tottenham are legitimate title contenders this year with young, pacy athletes. Signing an injured 34-year-old is not what fans had in mind as the club mounts its first real assault on the top teams since 1961.

Harry Redknapp "always liked" Nelsen, apparently. He also liked Chris Samba and Gary Cahill, but he couldn't tie those deals up. He suggested that another centre-back was needed, with William Gallas out injured. Bizarrely, Redknapp let Sebastian Bassong head to Wolves on loan. The young Cameroonian has been unlucky not to play more this year, however he has had a near-impossible task of dislodging Younes Kaboul and a fit-again Ledley King from the two slots in front of Brad Friedel. Given the choice between the promising Bassong and Nelsen, Kiwis would have an obvious favourite. But Spurs fans would be fairly divided.

Tottenham are third in the league, with aspirations of playing regular Champions League football. Adequate back-ups are fine, but to improve, new signings have to be better than what you currently have. Putting aside patriotism, would Kiwi fans of Man United, City, Arsenal, and Chelsea honestly be pleased with the signing of Nelsen?

For the first time in years, Spurs are well-placed when it comes to centre-halves. Since re-signing from Portsmouth, Kaboul has been outstanding. Quick, powerful, and more composed than during his first stint at White Hart Lane, he has flourished alongside King. Michael Dawson is a fan's favourite and ex-Gunner Gallas has won over one-eyed Spurs fans. Nelsen is a leader, but he can't lead from the bench. He is quality, but would make more of an impact at Newcastle or QPR, who need to solidify teams with older heads with Premiership experience.

New Zealanders are fiercely proud of the handful of professional football players around the globe, and rightly so. Nelsen will sign on until the end of the season for free. For him, the deal was a "no-brainer" but it risks being a double-edged sword: he could become the first Kiwi to play in the Champions League since Danny Hay subbed on for Leeds against Barcelona in 2000, yet he's also at the stage of his career where he cannot afford to wait for opportunities to play.

Nelsen has every right to test himself at a club challenging for honours. Seven years of loyal service to Blackburn is a testament to the man. He played over 170 games for the Lancashire club and if he somehow manages to nail down a first-team spot at Tottenham, he will strip Wynton Rufer of his title of New Zealand's greatest ever footballer. Whether we'll get the chance to see him with a cockerel on his chest remains to be seen.