Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas was left sidelined during the summer market, it has been revealed. The Sunday Express says some of the summer signings were not driven by Villas-Boas - the Portuguese boss even being overruled on some of his targets.

Not only did chairman Daniel Levy take a leading role in who came in and who went out of the club but billionaire owner Joe Lewis also had a major say, leaving Villas-Boas frustrated.

Ajax's Jan Vertonghen was a deal well down the path to fruition when the former Porto and Chelsea manager arrived. He responded by leaving the Belgian defender on the bench for Tottenham's opening game of the season.

It's believed the decision to bring in French international keeper Hugo Lloris was triggered by the owner Lewis.