I disagree with the OP.
Second season, i spent some cash, not much, but I wanted to get it out of my system and buy tokens. Then after that, I found it to be waste of time to buy tokens when you can save the daily tokens. i am in my 12th season in, and only brought 2 scout players that last for about 180 games each. I am still very successful winning leagues or finishing in top 2-4. WOn the league 6 times, few times runner up, won cup once but been in the finals three times. The only cup I am not winning or getting far in is the Champions league which mentioned before, I get knocked out by much stronger teams who see to purchase very good players.
Going for the younger players are good, but you have to waste tokens bidding against the people who have it seems unlimited tokens to spare. So now I tried the last two seasons to go for veterens. Although they last about 2 seasons, but... I am still winning, and also saving lots of tokens each day.
GERMANY TO WIN THE WC
So point of my post is to disagree with the OP view that once teams start spending cash on tokens, they have to spend all the time.