Ramos to play Football Manager this summer, what will Tottenham look like next season?
After a turbulent season as replete with failure as success – an extremely disappointing league position and a whimpering exit from the UEFA Cup compensated only by a euphoric Carling Cup win – one gets the feeling that Juande Ramos and his team are to take advantage of the long summer break to effect a heavy clearout of a squad that was by and large inherited from their predecessors.
Ramos has stated on numerous occasions that everybody is playing for their place, and that the attitude of the players will be taken into account, with the last six games of the season – for the most part, totally insignificant – an interesting mirror into which the pride and work ethic of the squad will be reflected.
The 4-1 home capitulation to Newcastle will have done little to help some players’ cause, and with Spurs having conceded more goals at home than any other team in the Premiership, wholesale changes can be expected in the goalkeeping and defensive departments. Meanwhile, a lifeless and uninventive midfield is in equal need of renovation, and I would expect at least ten players to move before pre-season begins. It will also be intriguing to see where signings are brought in from this summer: will Ramos’ presence be felt through the drafting in of a number of Spaniards and South Americans, or will Commoli continue to plunder the hordes of Ligue 1? Let the power struggle commence.
Here is a short analysis of each major player’s contribution to the 2007-08 season and an evaluation of their usefulness to the squad. A very brief range of possible replacements will be listed in brackets, with my preferred choices in bold. I would be interested to hear your suggestions.
Paul Robinson – Robbo’s season has been desperately poor both at club and international level, and despite his popularity amongst some sections of fans, he does not seem to rank high on Juande Ramos’ list. Expect Robinson to move on in the summer, possibly to Aston Villa. Not a second too soon in my books. (Kameni, César López, Jaaskelainen, Carson, Neuer)
Radek Cerny – Cerny has generally done well when called upon, and should have been handed his chance sooner. He will in all likelihood return to parent club Slavia Prague this summer.
Young-Pyo Lee – making around 30 appearances for us this season, Young-Pyo has been okay – defensive lapses on his part have decreased – without ever showing anything exceptional. With old club PSV apparently sniffing around, summer would be an excellent time to let allow Lee to depart. (Rafinha)
Pascal Chimbonda – after an impressive start to the season, Chimbonda has had an exceedingly disappointing campaign. Awful when played at left-back, lacking the attacking quality of last year and beaten in the air on numerous occasions, Chimbonda’s attitude problems have further irked Spurs supporters. I say, sell sell sell. (Rafinha)
Ledley King – despite the rumours that Ramos would like to dispense of King due to the injury burden, Ledley will undoubtedly remain with Spurs during the summer. His departure would certainly signal a mutiny at the Lane, and watching his excellent performance during the Carling Cup Final was a proud a moment as any for a lifelong Spurs fan. Pray that his fitness is better next time around, since he is crucial to the Spurs cause.
Younes Kaboul – Kaboul has had a very difficult first season at Spurs, and has been singled out for criticism after a number of embarrassing errors. My own opinion is that the slate should be wiped clean and the Frenchman given one more season to impress. Call it Titus Bramble syndrome, but Kaboul in my eyes has all of the tools necessary to succeed – height, speed, strength – and could do with playing alongside King for a number of games. (Cáceres, Amorebieta, Jarque, Campagnaro, and many others).
Benoit Assou-Ekotto – injury problems have restricted Assou-Ekotto to just 10 league appearances this season, and he has failed to make a mark in any of them. Get rid whilst we are making wholesale changes.
Michael Dawson – another who has had an awfully poor season, with an early-season loss of confidence seemingly scarring the rest of the campaign. Dawson with King looks confident and accomplished – without him, Dawson is panicky, error-prone and lacking in leadership. If we get a reasonable offer, I would not hesitate in letting Daws go, even though he seems like a top bloke. (see above)
Jonathan Woodgate – apparently one of Ramos’ five “untouchables”, Woodgate has been excellent ever since his January move to the Lane, and was absolutely immense in the Carling Cup Final. Has done enough to prove even the staunchest skeptics – myself included – wrong.
Gareth Bale – a season obliterated by injury, but with enough starring cameos to show that if he is kept fit, the Welsh full-back will be one of the best in the Premiership for years to come. Frightening left foot, superb set pieces, and best of all, a wicked and tenacious attitude far beyond his years.
Da Silva Gilberto – sluggish and disappointing in his limited appearances, I would not expect Gilberto to move on this summer, if only because he was only signed recently, and may profit from the time to settle in. Improvement is needed, however.
Chris Gunter – we have seen practically nothing of Gunter since the Welshman was signed, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he could be loaned out next season. What we have seen has not been conclusive either way.
Ricardo Rocha – bizarrely most of Spurs’ clean sheets have come when Rocha has been on the pitch. Rocha is slow and awkward on the ball, and not particularly great in the air either. Dump and let Dervite take his place.
Alan Hutton – with Woodgate, proof that business conducted during the January rush is not always doomed to failure. Hard in the tackle, athletic, with a hell of an engine, expect Hutton to be a favourite next season.
Didier Zokora – the less said about Zokora, the better. Has been nothing but a disappointment for me since he signed. Whilst the Ivorian is undoubtedly a decent player – he does get in tackles, and never stops running – he joins the likes of Tainio and Boateng in the elite group of mediocre midfielders who will take the club nowhere fast.
Perhaps the most frustrating sight in football is to watch Zokora rampage up the pitch, beat four players and then give the ball away time after time. Should also never be allowed to shoot again. (Albelda, Veloso)
Teemu Tainio – hard-working but frankly not good enough. Has been given some time to prove himself but does not make the cut. I also feel that the player himself deserves better – a starting berth at a slightly less ambitious club. (see above)
Kevin Prince Boateng – impetuous, lippy, unpolished, Boateng is essentially a carbon copy of Zokora. I’d sooner play O’Hara than him any day of the week. Sell sell sell. (see above)
Steed Malbranque – Malbranque has battled away at Spurs this season, playing for the most part out of position, stranded on the left wing. I feel that his level has dropped off somewhat as the season has come to a close, whereas the campaign started very well for Steed. Has done enough for me to earn a place in the squad, though I’m not sure I would want him to start every game. (Susaeta, Capel, Granero, Ben Arfa, Adam Johnson)
Jermaine Jenas – perennial frustration Jenas seemed to have shaken off his under-performing tag at the beginning of Ramos’ tenure, giving a series of invigorated and classy displays, culminating in a start for Capello’s first England game. Predictably, this fount of enthusiasm has dried up, and Jenas has become average once more. Next season must be last chance saloon for JJ. (Arteta, Diego – wishful thinking, I know)
Tom Huddlestone – for me, one of the few players to come out of the season with any credit. Huddlestone, for the most part, is composed and effective, finding the man most of the time and playing some delightful through balls. The Hudd has also chipped in seven assists and a few goals, which tend to be pearlers. The fulcrum of my new-look Spurs side.
Jamie O’ Hara – whether O’Hara will ever be more than a good squad player remains to be seen, but for his efforts and attitude alone he should be retained this summer. Also has a lovely left foot, and can take a reasonably good free-kick. Lovely to have another academy graduate in the squad.
Adel Taarabt – bucketfuls of talent, but where is the decision-making ability? I find it worrying just how little Taarabt has progressed this season, and can only wonder why he has been given so few outings in the first team to grow as a player. Hopefully he can play a little over the next 6 games so that we can see whether or not he has what it takes.
I wouldn’t get rid of little Adel, because we’d be kicking ourselves when he moved elsewhere and turned in stellar performance after stellar performance. But I expect more from him next season, and hope that he is given the opportunities to flourish.
Aaron Lennon – there are times when Lennon looks like a world-beater, or is the only player on the pitch who seems able to create opportunities (in that stagnant game against Derby, for example, Lennon was the one creative spark before Berbatov came on).
However, with just three goals from over forty games, and a measly four assists, Lennon clearly needs to work on his productivity, and the former Leeds man’s crossing has not improved noticeably since joining the club. Left out of Fabio Capello’s England squads, Lennon has work to do if he is to blossom into the very good player he has the potential to be.
Dimitar Berbatov – if we can keep Berba, we should. It’s as simple as that. Some work should be done to figure out why he always starts seasons slowly, and the extent of his commitment to the Spurs cause must also be ensured. Other than that, Berbatov has really grown into the season, and Spurs look a far superior side when the Bulgarian plays. If I am honest, Berbatov deserves better than Tottenham and I would not be overly surprised if he were to leave to go to Milan this summer.
Robbie Keane – Keano has had a really good season, yet again, with 22 goals to his name thus far, including a fair few crackers. Scoring goals has not been our problem this season, as everyone from Earth to Jupiter knows. Has also captained the side with pride.
Darren Bent – unless we get a sizeable offer or are able to target a world-class young striker (Huntelaar, Gómez), I see no reason to replace Bent as a substitute striker, especially since he offers a different option to the preferred front two of Berba and Keane.
Although he has not performed too well, Bent deserves another season to prove himself, and has scored 8 goals in 29 appearances, a record which is not awful for a turbulent and disappointing campaign. I also fail to see with whom Bent would be replaced - the likes of Kenwyne Jones have been mentioned, but Jones has no more experience than Bent does, and his goalscoring record is not even at the same level.
So…who do you think will be shipped out by Ramos? Who will be brought in to help Tottenham challenge for Champions League qualification? Let us know in the comments below.
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Discussion - 17 Responses
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young pyo lee has improved but he is not going to get any better than last season or this but as a utility back he is very good if we recieve a firm offer for himwe should take it as he is getting older and deos not attack some much on his left side although he has done well filling in for gareth bale struggles when attacked on his left side which means they can get the ball in quicker, sell him.Young thanks for all the service that you have given to spurs and the fans good luck and hope too meet you all on the phoenix.
Beniot ekotto has to got to go, not played enough games and has been injured for so long he is going to take another season just to get into the squad good player but just been unlucky sorry.(another player I liked when he first came to spurs very good left back who has suffered because of injurys.
ricardo rocha has to go because he has had enough chances to impress he is not going to take us forward as a team so sell him.
We need another centre half that really screams at his defence and commands the 18 yard box at set pieces because the communication between midfield and defence is very poor.
Berba stays but must work on his team work without the ball and not rely on just his flicks to provide space for other players, sometimes simple passes gets the job done just as well as fancy flicks.
huddlestone, Ohara, Lennon all stay as they are part of the future for spurs but lennon should work on controlling his pace which is exceptional and final delivery which is atrocious, word for the wise if you havent got the ball go for it and then that gets you inside the game. go looking for the ball and you will eventually get inside the game.
Kaboul stays only because he needs to work with me his aerial presence is immense but has lost his teeth in that early pre-season so his confidence has suffered as a result must, I want to work on him personally for next season because he has all the attributes of a tigana but he needs to read the game like ledley by watching the man and the ball not just one or the other he can be taught this and spend alot of time watching videos of the greatest sweepers so he properly learns his craft from basic putting the ball into touch to giving a simple pass to trying the extrvagant pass if nothing is on.
He can learn all of this but has massive potential to be one of the great defenders at white heart lane just needs time, clean slate next season but has to work over the summer working on his reading of the game (must talk to alan hansen never had great speed or knees but he was a great sweeper and defender who destroyed teams with his free kicks and his heading ability.
Simple law of defending dont give the striker a second chance, or against the best they would destroy you.
Talk to your midfield if you havent got the ball communicate with other players so every player knows to watch your six, and always notify the players around you if you are taking the ball forward.
Ronaldinho, any of the goal keepers on your radar and david dunn he has a real commanding presence about him and will not sherk from a challenge either in the air or on the ground Carlo cudicini, jaaskelinen, commands their box very well and organises defence with authority, plus any you have chosen.
Can anyone explain to me the tragedy that is the loss of Jermain Defoe?! I’m not a Spurs fan by any means but I never understood the logic of giving him zero playing time despite him clearly being a talent, a proven goal scorer, a small man alternative to big Berba, buying Darren Bent which I feel was unecessary…and then letting Defoe leave!
I mean come one…they could have at least been selfish and kept him despite not playing him! Did they never rate him or was it a wage budget issue?! Ah, the mystery of the beautiful game…
Spurs defence needs to shed a few pounds / players but more importantly they need to stay fit. Kaboul / Dawson can step in if necessary but not deputise for whole seasons, so King / Woodgate need to stay fit.
Somehow King’s chances of doing that look difficult, so another top central defender might be needed if this side wants to push up and challenge the big 4.
Midfield - Spurs have had a soft center ever since Carrick left, buying 8m worth of talent to replace an 18m player who was ignored by the top two sides is hardly a smart move. Huddlestone, if he continues his form, should stay and so should Jenas, Lennon and Malbranque but everyone else needs to be on notice. Need a whole new midfield to be brought in as reinforcements.
Spurs are good up front, and at the back Carson / Lopez seem to be the favoured choices.
Rafinha is Liverpools!! lay off him
take Carson off us please!!
I agree with what you say.I am a spurs fan of nearly 40 years and the way things are going I would expect Ramos to get rid of 80 to 90 percent of the playing staff simply because we have accumulated a lot of average players over the years and the squad players are poor as well.We have got to let Ramos buy who he fills is right cos if he can assemble the sort of team he had at Seville we will never look back.We have to do it the Arsenal way and look for players that are confident on the ball,pass the ball well and very pacy.First we need a keeper who will command his area,Cerny can stay as his understudy.Keepers can win you a game.The back four needs more personell especially in the centre,we cannot depend on the fitness of King and Woodgate so we need 2 more experienced centre halves and get rid of the rest.Our midfield is very weak,I hope we address the left side of midfield this summer,we need 2 defensive midfielders in the Makalele mould to help plug the gap at the back.Also we need another right winger to help out Lennon.I would expect the likes of Jenas and Huddleston to be bit part players and the rest can go.In attack Keane has been the player of the season,I would like to see the back of Bent and probably Berbatov.As good as he is Berbatov does not make a model striker,he is not a team player and if things start going against him all you see is his hands going up in the air and he doesn’t help out.If you need to see what a model striker looks like go to watch Drogba,Teves,Rooney and Ronaldo.These strikers do so much damage up front and yet when the team is struggling or defending you will always find them doing the donkey work.I think Taarabt should be given more chance next season he is a skillful player.
We need a new GK, 1 more CB, 1 new LB, & a new midfield pretty much. I also expect us to move Gareth Bale to midfield, his pace and crosses are immense for his age, and should be moved to LM.
The 2 guys I want us to get this summer are Marco Amelia from Livorno to be our new Goalkeeper, and Diego from Werder Bremen. If we can manage to get these 2 buys I don’t really care who else we get.
My IN List:
Marco Amelia, Dani Jarque, Diego, Stephen Appiah, and Taye Taiwo.
My OUT List:
Paul Robinson, Ricardo Rocha, Paul Stalteri, Hossam Ghaly, Lee Young-Pyo, Pascal Chimbonda, and Didier Zokora.
My Starting 11 then for 2008-2009:
GK: Marco Amelia:
RB: Alan Hutton
CBS: Jonathan Woodgate, and Ledley King/Dani Jarque
LB: Taye Taiwo/Gilberto
RM: Aaron Lennon/Steed Malbranque
CM: Diego, Stephen Appiah/Jermaine Jenas/Tom Huddlestone
LM: Gareth Bale/Gilberto
FWS: Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov
BENCH: Ben Alnwick, Jarque/Kaboul, Jenas, Huddlestone, Bent
“Berbatov deserves better than tottenham” dont make me laugh, one year ago maybe I would have agreed with this comment.
Dimitar has gradually got worse and worse as this season has progressed, dont get me wrong I love Berba and want him to stay at spurs as his skill and natural touch are quality but unfortunately quality that seems to be scarce these days unless we are playing smaller clubs.
The man is a lazy bastard and needs to lay of the fags. his price tag will not stand at the same figure as last year except in Tottenhams eyes and that basically sums up his progression at spurs.
We should have got rid last season for £30 million and kept Defoe alongside keane and brought in another world class striker with the £30 million plus plenty of spare change.
This is only my opinion.
This is only my opinion.
Good thing you got it out then, now you’re better off.
Defoe was sold because he wasn’t up to dislodging robbie from the team, simple as that. when Jol went with defoe and mido up front, robbie buckled down and won his place back. he has consistently outscored defoe and will continue to do so. dont be fooled by defoes lightning start to his career at pompey, if you cast your mind back you will remember he started like that for us and was been touted for a 20m+ move to chelski before he hit the skids and stopped scoring. would keep bent, can offer somethn different from the bench, perkhart shoud be tested too. Dervite, Taarbt, O Hara Huddlestone, Jenas,Malbranque, Woodgate, King, Bale, Hutton, Keane also to be kept (berbatov too but only if he wants to stay), discard the rest for as much as possible to fund moves for Kameni(Cudicini would be a cut price option or maybe palop), Jarque, Bentley (at least his crosses get past the full backs arse!!), Diego or Quaresma, Albeda and if berbatov goes Huntelaar, Villa’s good but too small, hvn him and keane up front would be like a flea circus… ramos has worked with Fabianio/Kershakov before so maybe one of them.
1. Amelia
2. Hutton
3. Bale
4. Tiago
5. King
6. Woodgate
7. Lennon/Bentley
8. Poulsen
9. Berbatov
10.Keane
11.Capel
Bench- Alnwick, Kaboul, Jarque, Gilberto, Malbranque, Jenas, Bent.
Having seen Juande Ramos’ sides of the past, I think he will try and bring in two central midfield players who don’t give much away and play pretty deep and concentrate our attacks down the flanks.
Hutton and Bale overlapping Lennon and Capel would be a very tasty attacking prospect!
I have Jarque on the bench more out of loyalty to the other two right now, but based on all 3 players(Jarque, King and Woodgate) this season, if Jarque does join I would not be suprised to see him as first choice centre half. He has been outstanding for Espanyol this season. Arguably the finest centre half in La Liga this term.
Poulsen and Tiago would give the midfield some much needed steel and consistency…you would never see the likes of Joey Barton and an old Nicky Butt dominate these two in a game!!!
Poulsen is a tough, no nonsense(pretty dirty)tackler whereas Tiago can defend but also has a lovely range of passing and a cracking shot.
These two would be a major improvement on what we already have.
u r all stupid y the hell have you got gilberto in ur squad hes slow rubbish has no control. we should get the young mexician guardardo for left bak bale left mid and d.capel for bak up . cm we need diego playing just infront of huddlestone right mid lennon or bentley and in goal ochoa or ustari .
Current Squad
GK-robb’s obviously gone but Cerny should b offered another contract, which he will accept, and kept as decent #2.
DL-lee and ekotto gotta go, esp wit interest in lee, barely of squad player standard and i’d b embarrassed 2 try and list the really low level prem teams they mite ave some chance of startin 4. grab da money and run…
Bale, as long as fit, is obviously class at either position on the left and with games can establish himself as a world class performer as either a full back or on the wing, savage value 4 money…as long as fit?
DR-chim has to go.whiny little muppet who hasn’t produced anywhere near his wigan standards.1 good season wit a strugglin team does not a good right back make.
V happy wit hutton and c gunter as good cover 4 injury(he is a spurs defender after all) and even getting the odd start as we ave not seen nuff of him 2 b certain.
DC-where 2 start??? wood and led start obviously but will b as available 2gether as often as my mam 4 bungee lessons. may the lord bless me and prove me wrong but we all know tis true. Rocha isn’t up 2 prem standards and should b shopped out at earliest opportunity.
Dawson has had a poor season…and dats being polite…but the promise he has showed wen paired with ledley justifies his place as a yid for another year, but only 4 dat. he needs 2 shows serious improvement, esp wen daddy led isn’t around, and prove himself as a dc and, god forbid, even leader in his own right. the panic and championship level defending(at best, at times)cannot b repeated.Don’t wanna start thinkin reid was the better part of that deal!
Kaboul has all the physical attributes and potential but continues to flatter 2 decieve.given our defensive injury crisis in ‘08-’09 (mark my words twill come)he should b kept 4 another 12months2 c if he can shake off his shockin start and make believers of us all.i have continental sized doubts but would b overjoyed 2 b proved wrong!
ML-happy wit steed, although form has dropped off recently but den so has da whole feckin squad. would also like 2 c taarabt given more game time and even a start or 2 wit so little left 2 play 4. genuinely think wit the mins under his belt he can develop in2 something scary.
MR-aaron oh aaron wat r we 2 do wit u??? all dat promise but so little delivery. without doubt the talent is there but genuinely believe that if he is to stay and prosper that he needs serious competition. can beat any1, wen he feels like it, but my rite peg(left footed)still delivers a better ball and tis jst dere 4 standin on so dats really sayin something.
MC-into the creativity free mire i go! tainio and zokora r out.time in da world 4 tainio and his work ethic but he jst isn’t up 2 it.no point in having squad players who on their best day can’t push 4 the 1st team. as 4 zok…on those all 2 rare occasions he gets the ball @ his feet and storms (no real skill jst straight lines involved) through an opposing midfield i almost believe…til he pushes it 2 far, passes 2 the corner flag or shoots 4 somewhere over da cock on the east stand!all bluster and no product and needs to b put on his bike.
huge hudd fan. can’t outrun a parked car but strength and stellar range of passing compensate. even seems 2 b learning where the opposition goal is located…though hitting it is another matter.
6months ago would ave put jermaine in zoks puddle of mediocrity but early Ramos performances stayed my hand.whether dey were a flash in da pan remain 2 b seen. capable and i live in hope(as do we all)that he wasn’t jst doin enough 2 ensure nxt seasons pay check.
Jamie can come stay @ mine any time. time in da world 4 him and genuinely impressed by his passing, adaptability(can b a prob 4 players in long run), engine and heart. squad next season though capable of pushin 4 start in more than 1 position.
FC-the only area dat needs no foolin wit. we will always score wit berba and keano up front.keane can do no wrong in my book and while berba is a moody ickle so-and-so i’ll forgive him as long as he keeps producing.bent was total waste of money but his price wasn’t his fault and works well as third choice and option against defences who choose to play high up.
Players to buy:
My list here is gonna cost the best part of 60 mill. and so shall b listed in order of priority:
1>we all know we needa keeper and Amelia is it. all the physical attributes and consistant to a fault. talkin bout 10 mill though so not cheap by any means but an essential buy.
2>Jarque is arguably da best defender in la liga and espanyol will certainly listen to the right offer.
3>Albelda is at an age where he can b picked up reasonably but still produce some good seasons in nxt couple of years.
4>Diego is another break out da piggy bank situation but would b worth every penny up to the low to mid teens. we desperately need the creativity and he is it and eager to move.
5>I can live with our wide men but given da choice ben afra and bentley would def become lilly whites. money and competition from da big 4 would obviously b a factor but believe we r big enough to attract them both. ben would go straight into the team wit mal and taar pushing and bentley would also start and give lennon the kick the arse he needs.
so given 50-60 mill my starting 11 nxt aug would be:
GK>Amelia
DL>Bale
DR>Hutton
DC>King/Woodgate/Jarque
ML>Ben afra/Malbranque
MR>Bentley/Lennon
MC>Jenas/Hudd/Albelba/Diego
FC>Berba/Keane
Squad>those not picked from above at DC ML MR MC + O’Hara, Taarabt, Gunter, Gilberto, Dawson, Bent, Cerny
you all need to seriously lay off footbally manager for abit.
understand suggesting a few names but some of u are going over the top with all those signings. How long do you think it will take such a squad to settle, plus what happens if u dont start so well. or have another mid table season. is that it for ramos after spending 50-60million?
IN GOAL I WOULD LIKE BORIC OF CELTIC. HE IS SUPER FOR THEM YEAR AFTER YEAR AND COULD COME CHEAPLY AND WHAT ABOUT CASPER SCHMIECAL.
Hugo, I agree with a lot of what you’ve written here, especially about the run-of-the-mill/just-good-enough players like Tainio and Malbranque. Tottenham will never do better than the Carling Cup as long as so much of the squad is at that level, and yet those players are just barely good enough to convince the board to keep them and pursue one more player in the “overlooked Brazilian striker playing in France” category.
It will be interesting to see whether the transfer period clarifies anything about the relationship between Ramos and Camolli, who I suspect is still doing more to direct transfer policy (or at least leaks to the press about transfer policy) than most fans realize. Will the board get out of Ramos’s way (keep in mind that he had an excellent technical director at Sevilla and wasn’t responsible for some of their best signings) or will they expect him to play with the players they choose? Will we see the kinds of conflicts that doomed Jol’s relationship with the men in suits, or will Ramos be treated differently?
In many ways I’d say that the end of this season is the real beginning of Ramos’s tenure at the club.
you all need to seriously lay off football manager for a bit
how true