Redknapp insist his transfer dealings were not a gamble

Insisting that he would not tolerate a director of football forcing unproven foreign imports on him, Harry Redknapp claims that he has chosen only those players who he knew were in top-form to perform in the Premier League.

The Spurs boss said: “I brought players in and that weren’t gambles – Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane. I knew what they could do, what they were like and what people they are. Wilson Palacios had played in the Premier League, so he wasn’t a gamble either.”

“You have to stand and fall on your own judgement, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. And with players, you sometimes have to take chances, but I haven’t had to here. All the players we have brought in here are ones I knew can perform. They weren’t gambles,” he added.

Redknapp hopes the club can keep defender Ledley King, whose contract is expiring at the end of this season. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has opened talks about taking up the option to extend it for another year.

“Daniel will talk to me about it but I wouldn’t be involved in what deal he might get.

“But Ledley is a big part of this club, as a player and a person,” He added.

Redknapp completes his first year in charge at Spurs on Monday and he is hoping to celebrate this weekend with a Premier League victory over Stoke to add to his impressive points haul in the last 12 months.