Spurs Transfers: 10 Linked Players Tottenham Should Avoid

8. Ashley Cole (Free Agent, Formerly Chelsea)

There is absolutely no doubting Ashley Cole's ability. The left back has been - and still actually is - one of the best players in his position in the world for more than ten years, but there are a number of reasons why Spurs should avoid signing him. First of all, Cole is 33 years old. Although he is still performing at a very good level, the fact is that Spurs have experienced too much change over the past few years and it is about time they started finding players who will be with the club long-term. Cole's signature would be a short-term solution to a long-term problem and one that would need rectifying again in a couple of years if he was to sign. Second, Cole's past allegiance to Arsenal and Chelsea is enough to make the move a highly and unnecessarily controversial one. Would the White Hart Lane faithful accept Cole as part of their beloved team? The move could be more trouble than it's worth and any booing that was directed at Cole could result in the player under-performing or even outright rebelling. Finally, there is the matter of the player's wages. Cole was on around £200,000 a week at Chelsea and, while he would expect a decrease in pay at this stage of his career, he would still anticipate being Spurs' highest earner. Even on a free transfer, this move would end up costing Spurs an awful lot for a man of his age. Remember, this is a guy who was apparently in tears and "trembling with anger" at the prospect of "only" earning £55,000 a week just a few years ago. Left back should be a priority for strengthening at Spurs - but Ashley Cole isn't the answer to the problem.