Scott Parker: Signing of the summer

Tottenham have done it again; they have consecutively made the signing of the summer. Last year, it was Rafael Van see Vaart who signed on the dotted line for a deal worth a reported £8m.

The Dutchman instantly began a fans favourite, making an immediate impact with his goals often winning games single handedly. 15 league goals in his first season warranted a nomination for PFA Player of the year, an award eventually won by team-mate Gareth Bale.

Nonetheless, the Dutchman’s contribution in his first year at White Hart Lane saw him labelled one of the signings of the season, an accolade that was shared with Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez.

However, as good as the 28-year-old has been during his 12-months at Spurs, one player is already looking like a shrewder acquisition than the former Ajax, Hamburg and Real Madrid midfielder; his name being Scott Parker.

Many Spurs fans were cautions about this signing of the FWA Player of the Year, many feeling he was past his best and that the 30-year-old was only made to look good because of the players around him.

However, the transition from West Ham to Tottenham has been close to seamless. Already forming a resilient partnership with Luka Modric, Parker has shored up the midfield tremendously since his arrival and with the necessary stell being added to the midfield, Spurs are beginning to look more and more formidable with each passing game.

Many were praising the acquisition of Emmanuel Adebayor, whose goals have been superb, and very much needed, while Brad Friedel coming in has more or less steadied a shaky back four, who now appear much more confident with a solid keeper behind them.

But Parker, at only the reported £5m, looks to have boosted the team single-handedly, even more impressive considering he has only played four games for the club. The 2-1 win over Arsenal epitomised the all round ability and leadership qualities the England international can draw upon.

It was this game that many felt the former West Ham captain deserved a man of the match award, covering every blade of grass and running around the pitch until it became apparent he couldn’t run anymore. The sceptics who felt he was an unnecessary signing are since beginning to back-track on their initial statements and many now believe his name should be first on the team sheet.

Whoever is partnered with Parker, be it Modric or Sandro, will surely benefit from his knowledge of the game, positional sense and leadership qualities, the latter of which has left fans believing he can be captain in the future should King or Dawson not be available, a call that would be one of the wisest that Redknapp could make.

Here is hoping Parker can continue his fine form in future games both home and away. His inclusion to the starting XI has raised the game of his team-mates and Spurs look a much better side now that the new number 8 is part of it.