Baldini’s employment as director of football has seen Spurs spend well this summer.
As a deal for Anzhi Makhachkala star Willian to Tottenham Hotspur looks as good as done, the north London club’s summer shopping will now total five new players.
Along with the Brazilian winger, Spurs have already acquired Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue for a combined cost of £59m.
All four players made their debut for the club against Crystal Palace, with Soldado and Capoue particularly shining as Tottenham won their opening Premier League fixture for the first time since 2009.
Yet although talented manager Andre Villas-Boas has done much for the side since taking over in 2012, it is in fact new director of football Franco Baldini that should be credited with the new players.
The role Baldini occupies at White Hart Lane is one that has been ridiculed in England on many occasions, with Joe Kinnear at Newcastle United the latest of a seemingly endless stream of pointless appointments.
Yet Baldini has acquired stars for Spurs that the fans probably didn’t think they would ever see strutting their stuff for the Lily Whites.
Although Gareth Bale’s departure to Real Madrid seems inevitable, the Italian has ensured that Tottenham don’t make the same mistake of the past and leave their transfer dealings until late in the window.
If the Welshman does leave, with Willian at the club they have a ready-made replacement who is probably the best possible acquisition for the impossible task of trying to replace the 24-year-old.
Daniel Levy has always been a shrewd chairman, but has frustrated supporters in the past by leaving purchases until too late – however with trio of AVB, Levy and now Baldini, the future looks bright.
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