All quiet on the Tottenham front - Observations from Dan Raywood on transfers and the coming season

At the time of writing, I'm on the other side of the world and the lack of football news is unusually distressing!

I've kept up with some unusual news in the last few days - Lampard becoming a Manchester City player, Spurs big summer signing being a player no one has heard of, who is an Englishman from abroad (I may be wrong, but if this is true then the precedent of Owen Hargreaves and Lewis Holtby are not the greatest of forerunners) and Arsenal's no mark striker Sanogo being the star of the Emirates cup is surprising.

After a tournament, football always seems to go into frenzy. Those of us who even recall Euro 1992 will recall the way Europe's giants went crazy for the Danish team, and the same after Euro 1996 with the Czech team. After the magnificent spectacle that was the Brazilian World Cup, it was hardly surprising that the biggest stars would be the biggest targets.

Whether "player of the tournament" Lionel Messi will enjoy the spoils of that accolade remains to be seen, but his new strike partner Luis Suarez should prove an interesting combination with Neymar.

I don't know what the future is for Costa Rica's Joel Campbell, but with Arsenal needing another striker they may have the solution in their ranks already. Also, the multi millions spent by Real Madrid on Colombia's James Rodriguez should see its impressive strike force defend the Champions League well.

Turning to the Premier League, arguably the biggest arrival is new Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal - the signings have mostly been "domestic" and I won't be the first to predict Southampton's downfall without Pochettino (Spurs), Lallana, Lambert and Lovren (Liverpool) and Shaw (Manchester United, training on his own).

No one seems to understand the exodus from St Mary's, but you don't replace quality with loan signings.of Chelsea fringe players.

I'm obviously hoping Spurs come good and Lamela and Soldado show their potential, but I suspect that a lot of eyes will be on QPR. I know what Harry Redknapp can achieve and whole Rio Ferdinand is a great signing, the acquisition of Steven Caulker should not be overlooked.

It's too early to call a potential winner or loser in this season, but I'd be keeping a keen eye on Manchester United and Chelsea, Liverpool are to be determined without Suarez but the combination of Lambert/Sturridge/Sterling should be good. Quite how Sanchez will fit in with Arsenal's style will be interesting having been used to Barcelona's 4-3-3 style.

The one national team I haven't mentioned is winners Germany, and I'm surprised that Goetze and Co haven't been cited more in the transfer news. Maybe Sami Khedira's long rumoured move to the Premier League may change that. Let battle commence (soon)!