Tottenham – Looking To The Future
The 2006-7 season looks very promising in the eyes of most Spurs fans, with the general consensus being that just two or three additions could suffice to turn Spurs into a top-3 or top-4 club. Most supporters are also in agreement as to the positions that need strengthening, with the right-back and left-midfield berths seemingly still up for grabs. Here is a brief summary of the players I would like to see brought in for the coming season, as well as a résumé of other oft-cited candidates for the roles.
Right-back
My choice: Lucas Neill.
Lucas Neill has performed solidly for Blackburn for the last two seasons and consolidated this form with a fairly flawless showing at the 2006 World Cup. So reliable has he been that European giants A.C. Milan and Barcelona are said to have taken a look at Neill, although the latter’s interest will certainly have cooled following the capture of Luca Zambrotta. Neill has thus far refused to extend his contract up north and clearly has his sights set on a bigger club. Consequently, he would most probably be available for a reasonably insignificant fee.
Other candidates: Pascal Chimbonda.
Coming off the back of a superb debut season for Wigan, Chimbonda has been a target for Spurs (and other clubs) throughout the summer. However, with Paul Jewell driving a hard bargain, a £6 million outlay would be necessary to prise the Frenchman away from the JJB stadium. Equally, most fickle Premiership fans seem to have forgotten that, before coming to Wigan, Chimbonda performed only averagely for Bastia, in the less-than-challenging French league.
Centre-back
My choice: Roberto Ayala
Roberto Ayala really needs very little introduction. He has a wealth of experience at the very highest level, and, despite his advanced age, maintains the pace and good judgement which have served him so well over his distinguished career. He seems to be seeking a new challenge, though whether he would be willing to play second-fiddle to Dawson and King is another question. Those who question Ayala’s future value would do well to bear in mind that Dervitte has been brought in with an eye on the future (Ã la Pique at Manchester United), and that it is therefore a short-term solution that is needed.
Other candidates: Curtis Davies
Davies is another exciting prospect for the future, and had a brilliant first season at West Brom. However, having just signed a new contract with the Baggies, it seems unlikely that he will depart for pastures new anytime soon.
Left wing
My choices: Hatem Ben Arfa and Adam Johnson
Hatem Ben Arfa exploded onto the scene at Lyon before suffering a series of unfortunate injuries last season. He presents an exciting mélange of enthusiasm, pace and skills, and he is sure to improve as he develops. His goalscoring record for Lyon’s reserves is frightening.
It will be next to impossible for Gareth Southgate to offer Adam Johnson a regular starting place next season, yet he is faster, harder-working, greener and more skilful than Stewart Downing, and will come a hell of a lot cheaper!
Other candidates: Juan Pablo SorÃn, Gareth Barry, Marek Jankulovski
None of the above are really left-wingers (they are neither pacey nor skilful, and in at least one case are more comfortable at left back), and as such do not comply with what I am looking for.
Spurs fans — what do you think?
Topics: Football Transfers, Tottenham
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Would prefer Chimbonda but seems like he may be a bit pricely considering he’s only had one good season. Think we’re okay at centre back with Dawson, Davenport, King, Gardner and even Huddlestone. I would say a fourth striker would be a better addition as I’m not sure Barnard is ready to make the step up, with Keane or Defoe injured how frightening is our bench with him? Wished we had got Jason Roberts for this role but Blackburn snapped him up. Left wing again I would prefer Downing, I thought his 1st season on the scene was more impressive 2 years ago and if he stays uninjured and improves fitness it could work well although again seems to be over priced.
August 1st, 2006 @ 23:32I would agree with either Neil or Chimbonda although Jewell is joking at 6m. Yes we do need a fourth striker, Celtic are looking at Jan Velsigoor of Hesslelink at allegedly 5m that would be a good buy. I think we will be OK at CD with the current cover until Ledley gets back. I think Downing is over rated and lacks pace, surely Commolli can find a french bargain or doesnt MJ have a dutch gem up his sleeve.
August 1st, 2006 @ 23:53wow…. so much in there to disagree with… adam Johnson???? he has less experience than zeigler, surely he would be a better bet. Curtis davis will be at west brom for the start of the season and he became grossly overpriced. I think an experienced player like ayala would be a better option although I do not think we need to sign any one at CB. Ok king is injured and this is a massive blow but we have other CB’s in the squad who will have to step up at some point ie davenport, dervitte, defendi etc etc. For me chimbonda is a better player than neil. Neil has poor discipline and is more of a steady eddy, not much better than stalteri in my opinion, he is not a good player because a red top newspaper made a stupid transfer rumour either.
August 1st, 2006 @ 23:59Would take chimbonda but only with the swap deal that has been reported as one good season doesn’t mean your worth 6.5 mil! think we’re ok at centre back tho if we could get ayala in a naybet-like teaching role that would be sweet. i agree that we need another striker, not sure who would want to sit on the bench, def not martins tho if he arrives i see defoe going! think we would be better goin for some1 young, dissapointed that we let El Hamduoi return to holland as i thought he did well for us last preseason tho unfortunately got injured for us and then at derby! left wing is where we need to find some cover, personally i wouldn’t take Downing for half of the reported price. i don’t think he up to scratch and should never have played for england! think reto should be givin a chance as he performed well for us the season before last! another option is switchin routledge over to the left as i think he could be the answer to our problems! i know his preferred position is on the right tho with him and lennon on the wings with the possiblities of swiching wings durin a game, i think we could be one of the most frightening attacking teams in the premiership!
August 2nd, 2006 @ 00:18Although johnson has little experience, we could certainly develop him, and he has huge potential. Let’s not forget that ‘Boro won the FA youth cup a couple of years ago and that players such as Bates, Morrison and my man Johnson played starring roles. Such a transfer policy brought the signing of Etherington, before stupidly letting him go (albeit in exchange for defoe). And I didn’t say Tottenham could sign davies; in fact, quite the contrary.
In response to frank dore (and also a general poser to all fans) – why didn’t Spurs show an interest in Yoann Gourcuff?
August 2nd, 2006 @ 00:22There are not that many top full backs about so I suppose Chimbonda is about the best available but do we really need him with Lee. Is he £6m better than Lee. If we want a promising Left winger why don’t we try to get Ryan Babel. We definitely need a fourth striker and as all of the good British are staying put we should go for Martins of Inter or Ibrahimovich.
August 2nd, 2006 @ 00:26I think Lucas Neill is a dirty player, and an idiot. Look at that challenge against the Italians of all teams in the last minute, giving them the opportunity to “simulate” and win the penalty. Chimbonda was the best of a poor bunch of RBs in the Premiership, he just scored a few goals in a expectation surpassing Wigan side. Dunno who to suggest… We shouldn’t need cover at CB despite the King’s injury but Ayala would be my choice too. I like the Adam Johnson shout, could be another Lennon, we went in for him before. Wouldn’t mind Ben Arfa as all I’ve heard are good things although I’ve never seen him play. I think Sorin could do the job though.
August 2nd, 2006 @ 01:09I like the idea of getting either Chimbonda or Neill, probably Neill is the more proven right back in the premiership and if he costs less than the six million Wigan are holding out for, then its worth a bid.
I like the idea of Juan Pablo Sorin at left back, he has a wealth of experience and although he is 30, I feel he would be a quality player for at least a couple of seasons.
Gareth Barry would be a good candidate for the left midfield slot and he could revert to a left back role if needed. I also seem to remember he had played at centre back in the past and his versatility may prove a real bonus. This may mean we won’t have to fork out for a replacement centreback.
Adam Johnson also seems like one for the future, but I don’t think Southgate will sell him. After seeing Downing in the World Cup, I think it would be a huge mistake to buy him as I wasn’t convinced by him at all.
I think buying another striker would also be a mistake. I think Defoe, Berbatov and Keane could do very well this season and should have the chances to perform. When we have the likes of Barnard and Dixon doing so well, I think they should be given the opportunity of fighting it out for the fourth forward role. Having said that, Hatem Ben Arfa could offer flexibility to take either the left winger position or a fourth striker position and he’s worth a gamble to act as cover if there were injuries to our forwards.
Whether Spurs have the inclination to buy Neill, Sorin, Barry and Arfa remains to be seen, and perhaps all four would be a luxury, but it would provide cover and depth throughout the squad and all of them together should cost less than Carrick! If Spurs stick to their policy of signing young players with potential and mix the team up with the odd older reliable player with experience, I think we can only continue to improve.
August 2nd, 2006 @ 03:53