Yes, Robbie Keane's back in England. Liverpool, specifically. Anfield, even more specifically. The transfer of Mr. Spurs to Liverpool is on the verge of completion. The deal appears to be just about done, with Keane agreeing to personal terms up at Anfield. Reports indicate a transfer fee of between £18 and £20 million.

I'm not going to beat around the bush, you can get the details of the transfer at any one of a billion news sites. This transfer sucks. I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a big fan of Robbie Keane. I earlier espoused my doubt that Keane would leave Tottenham Hotspur. It didn't make sense to me. Especially after Keane had professed his love for the club and desire to finish his career at Spurs. Look, he actually said it: “There’s always speculation that I’m going here, there and everywhere but I’m very content with my life and with my time at Spurs, I will continue to play there for as long as I am happy and for as long as I am wanted. It’s good to have a summer off but then I look forward to going back to Spurs next season.” Way back on May 28th. My, how things have changed. We as fans tend to forget that football is a business and as much as we'd like to believe our club's players have the same dedication to the badge that we do, they quite simply do not. Robbie Keane made the mistake of leading Tottenham Hotspur's fans to believe he cared just as much as we did. As a result, it seems there are large elements of Spurs' fan base who want to vilify and demonize a player who gave Tottenham six seasons of faithful service. I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to do that. Instead, I'll remember the goals he scored and the way he'd hurtle around the pitch, refusing to give up. Keane went from being a third-choice striker at the club to an unquestioned starter and team leader. He was eventually given the job of Vice-Captain and wore the armband during Ledley King's frequent and lengthy trips to the Physio's table. Then, after achieving such a prominent position at the club, he leaves for greener pastures. Hmm. Keane's departure is a symptom of a larger problem in English football. Namely, the domination of the big four clubs. As I mentioned, playing football professionally is a job. Just as regular people would, in most cases, jump ship if a more successful company offering more money came calling, so too will professional footballers. Though Liverpool haven't won the league in eighteen years, they've won it eighteen times before that. Which is, approximately, sixteen more times than Tottenham Hotspur. In those eighteen years since their last league championship, however, Liverpool have been far from unsuccessful. They've won three FA Cups, three League Cups, and in just the last four years have made it to the Champions League Final twice and the semi-finals once. In that same time, Tottenham have won the League Cup twice, the FA Cup once, and have failed to make much noise in the UEFA Cup. To an employee without much attachment to his employers, the former certainly seems the more tempting option. I'd also like to make note of the caveat Keane added to his declaration of loyalty. Keane said, "I will continue to play there (Tottenham) for as long as I am happy and for as long as I am wanted." I think we may have to recognize the very real possibility that Robbie Keane was simply not a big part of Juande Ramos' plans at Tottenham Hotspur. It seems increasingly likely, given his pursuit of just about every young winger I can think of, that Ramos is looking to implement a five man midfield with with an emphasis on attacking with width. Robbie Keane cannot play as a lone striker. He just doesn't have the skillset. He wouldn't be a particularly effective wide midfielder, either as, 2006 embarrassment of Khalid Boulahrouz aside, he lacks the pace to make consistent forays down opponent's flanks. He would inevitably drift inside, failing to provide the width necessary for Ramos' system to be effective. There's simply no place for Keane in the system I believe Ramos is trying to bring to White Hart Lane. He wasn't wanted anymore.

Yes, he's gone. However, I won't minimize the impact he's had at Tottenham Hotspur. He was a tremendous player and leader at White Hart Lane and that's what we should remember about him. On the bright side of things, it appears that we've gotten the fee for Robbie Keane. A very nice one, at that.

I hate everything.

"I have absolutely no wish to sell either player and to date we have not accepted any offer for either. However, when a player's head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence. This is the situation we now have on our hands, with both Dimitar and Robbie having made it clear that they wish to leave for Manchester Utd and Liverpool respectively.

"Irrespective of the outcome and futures of Robbie and Dimitar, we are continuing to seek to bring in quality, talented players for the future, who want to play in a Spurs shirt."

-Daniel Levy, Spurs Chairman