Do Tottenham need Riquelme?
News out of Spain suggests that Tottenham have made a bid for out-of-favor Riquelme and that Villarreal are currently considering the ’serious offer’. It comes from Riquelme’s agent, so you can either expect that he’s telling the truth or that it’s a last-ditch attempt to get a Spanish club to bid for Riquelme.
In any case, the bigger question here is if Tottenham need Riquelme or not. He’s a top-quality player, will link up beautifully with Keane and Berbatov (not to mention Lennon and Malbranque) and will bring a lot of experience to Tottenham’s midfield, something that’s been lacking for a while.
But I have two concerns - one, Riquelme is not the fastest of players. However, having seen Paul Scholes wreak havoc over at Old Trafford, I’m sure that you can agree that Riquelme has a shot at coming to terms with the Premiership’s tempo (even though the comparison doesn’t work as Scholes has been at United for all his career). The second concern is more relevant, and it’s that Riquelme is not the player Tottenham’s midfield needs.
Right now Tottenham’s main problem in midfield is a lack of discipline, experience, grit and defensive nous. Riquelme is a creative, attacking midfielder and as a result he doesn’t solve the defensive midfielder problem for Spurs.
Having said that, it would be terrific to see Riquelme in the Premiership and I’ve no doubt that he could improve Tottenham - just not sure that he’s exactly what Tottenham need at the moment.
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Discussion - 26 Responses
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Yes he is required - we need creativity - we have defensive cover - but my word a little creativity would go a hell of a long way -
DONT SACK BMJ!!!!!!!!
Riquelme not experienced!! Top quality player who we cant turn down if the opportunity to sign him arises.
Top Spur I agree……….. DONT SACK BMJ!!!!!!!!!!!!
so much for levy going on about continuity…get rid of comoli
Would finally add the bullets for the big guns up front. I would love this to happen, I just don’t think the wage structure at the club would make it possible.
Riquelme can only be good for our midfield. Creativity and experience. Our strikers will get more chances = more goals, and once our defence is fit and back again we’re in business.
I agrre also - DON’T SACK BMJ
COYS!
That guy would improve any team. He can unlock a defence like no other. I would swap Jenas, Zokora and Tainio for him.
I often wondered why we didnt try to get Riquelme?
He’d be a great signing, a player of real quality! anyone who watched the Copa America will agree!!
I just dont think a team outside the top 4 can attract him? never say never tho!!!
Q- Why are Spurs behind Arsenal despite spending A hell of alot more???
A-We keep bloody changing our manager!! new man new ideas more spent!!
Martin we are behind you 100%!
DONT SACK BMJ!!!!!!!
What are you talking about - we have no defensive midfield options? Riquelme + Hudd would be a perfect yin/yang balance in terms of attack vs defence. It just comes down to a Premiership experience issue.
Anyway, I don’t think we spent money on Prince in order to have three of Prince, Jenas, Zokora and Huddlestone on the bench. I reckon this is just agent banter.
Yes agree would be a good buy however Taabet is quality and could do a job given the chance.
Spurs should def back BMJ but do think he needs to be more brave and play the youngsters.. and play wide…
get the prince on with JJ, taabet (left) Lennon (right)
glad we have YLP back, however Bale get a move on!!!!chimbonda no probs.
so desp need king and dawson together, and Robinson get control of the box…
any of our fwds can do a job so thats no problem either but BMJ needs to think of more creativity on the bench instead of keeping them all happy!!!..
COYS
[…] Tottenham after Riquelme […]
ANY team needs Requelme.
not sure how he would adapt to the PL though. Definitely worth taking a risk.
spurs need defensive midfield cover and not creative midfielders???????
which spurs side have you been watching….which reports from this season so far? creativity required in spades mate!
stick to utd and don’t force yer opinions about other clubs on the public eh!!!
to answer DazzaTHFC, you are behind AFC because you suck. its not rocket science mate.
I think everybody needs Riquelme!!!
Why would Riquelme want to ruin his career at spurs, when he can join a Chamions League team in any country including England.
That Spurs midfield is getting awfully crowded. Lennon, Routeledge, Jenas, Malbranque, Zokora, Tainio, Murphy, Ghaly, Boateng, Taarabat, Huddlestone, O’Hara, Dawkins, and Rose. Lennon is injured, so is Tainio, Ghaly and Murphy are want away and not worth their salt, O’Hara, Dawkins and Rose aren’t quite ready for the Prem. That leaves 7 midfielders, of which 6 central midfielders are fit. doesn’t make sense unless he wants to play on the left so that Malbranque can play in the middle or deputise on the left. They should get a left midfielder. They were on the right track when they wanted Stewart Downing, but now, they cannot rely solely on Malbranque, especially when midfielders across England are dropping like flies.
why would he want to move is what interests me .. last December, when united wanted to sign him, he said no because his family didnt speak the language, and so thought it would be too hard for them to adapt. Now a team who is lower than united with about a hundred central midfielders wants him and he is joining ? i dont know ..
im sorry ahmed but im going to have to disagree with you. Spurs severely lack a creative flair in midfield. We have creativity upfront, and even some in the back (if you count chimbonda’s bursting runs lol). yes, we have lennon.. bt he doesnt always pose a threat to the larger clubs, he isnt particularly well built (mainly due to his size) and although he has a hell of a lot of pace, his creativity and midfield flair is slightly lacking compared with players like cristiano ronaldo.. spurs needs Riquelme.. especially if we arent interested in playing the players we have signed that are suposd to be known for their flair.. (adel taarabt and kevin prince boateng).
also..
DNT SACK BMJ!!!! LEGEND.
ya spurs do need a defenciv mid but we also need sum1 to creat
mor goals
Nice write up on this site:
http://www.tottenhammassive.com/2007/08/22/riquelme-to-weave-his-magic-at-the-lane/115.html
Riquelme can do well in the EPL but not with Spurs
Spurs have enough midfielders, they don’t need Riquelme and aren’t a good enough team for him.
Do spurs need riquelme? While i think he is a really good player and would definitely adapt to the premiership, I’m surprised by the hordes of spurs who feel that their team lacks this and lacks that. According to some of their opinions on the gunners vs spurs blogs, their team was the supreme power and didnt lack anything and were definitely better than gunners(and we do have a creative midfielder-cesc and a good defensive midfielder-gilberto). What happened, why the sudden change in opinions?
i think riquelme would b an excellent signing but we have tom huddlestone so i dont think we really need him
commolli thats all im going to say what a disaster god help ramos
buying players the manager clearly didnt want jol is a good manager 5th place twice some clown gives another clown the power to buy players no one wants at big fees that clown being levy of course am i the only 1 who feels this way this would not happen at the likes of blackburn or portsmouth etc never mind the big4 arsenal fans are have a good laugh because thats what it is a laugh clowns running white hart lane bring back sugar he would have backed jol not stabbed him in the back look out ramos
we are not only the laughing stock of the premership but world football fergie and arsene and co imagine the chat them boys or laughs big ones i might say at the clowns running white hart lane