Tottenham’s squad: Who should stay and who should go?
After finishing 5th again this year, if we are to seriously challenge for 4th spot we must be intelligent in the transfer market, make the right signings and let some players go.
I’m just going to go through the squad and say who in my opinion we should definitely keep, who needs to show more, who needs to make a speedy exit if we are to progress, and who we might bring in.
Definite ‘keepers’
Paul Robinson: Ok, 54 goals conceded in the Premiership is hardly ‘England’s Number 1′ quality but defensive problems and lapses have played a major part in this season. Robbo has made some excellent saves and I’m confident he’ll be back next year determined to do better.
Pascal Chimbonda: An excellent first season, showed he wasn’t a one season wonder at Wigan, and has attacked superbly down the right. A bit suspect when asked to fill in at left-back, but hopefully there’ll be less injuries in this position next season.
Michael Dawson: A lot was asked of the 23 year old this year, and though his marking is a bit suspect and needs to be addressed, without his headers, blocks and interceptions we would have been a lot worse off this year.
Ledley King: Missed most of the season, but is our rock and captain, the first name on the teamsheet, and his presence is a calming influence on the rest of the team. May he lead us for many years to come!
Aaron Lennon: Not much needs to be said about Lennon, a fantastic player who we must keep if we are to break into the top 4.
Teemu Tainio: Asked to play in about 4 different positions this year, and has performed admirably each time he plays. Has heart, spirit and fight, and is proud to wear the Spurs shirt. An extremely under-rated and versatile player who can do a job in many areas of the field.
Tom Huddlestone: A fabulous acquisition, big, strong, can pass the ball well and score also. As he is 20 Jol seems to be easing him in to the Premiership, and hopefully he’ll be given more of a chance to shine next year.
Dimitav Berbatov: Our signing of the season and possibly THE signing of the Premiership. Pure class, lets hope we hold on to one of our best ever signings.
Robbie Keane: Gets better and better every year, and has flourished when partnered with Berbatov; lets hope they are kept together for as long as possible.
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Paul Stalteri: Did well last year, played a lot less this year, but has not been the most convincing when filling in.
Ricardo Rocha: Lapses against Arsenal in the Carling Cup and Chelsea in the Premiership have cost us vital games, I hope he gets used to the Premiership soon.
Anthony Gardner: A back-up centre/full back at most, I’m not his biggest fan but at least he is tall and can head it away if nothing else…!
Didier Zokora: Has finally gotten used to the Premiership, but needs to stop diving as this makes me want to throttle him. Goes on some good attacking runs but is just missing that final shot/ pass which he’ll have to work on.
Jermaine Jenas: Our most frustrating player. Shows so much promise, scores some vital goals, but couldn’t hold on to the ball even if his life depended on it. He needs to sort out his passing and his mind-frame if he is to fulfil potential.
Steed Malbranque: Attacks well, scores and creates goals, but sometimes switches off and makes a hash of everything.
Jermain Defoe: Jol called him a “team player” but he sometimes is too greed. Yes, I understand he is a striker and wants to score goals, but if his first priority is to his England career and not the team, then we may need to get rid of him as he has not passed during some vital but failed goal-scoring opportunities.
See you later
Benoit Assou Ekotto: Has not had the impact Jol predicted. Not great when going forward, not great when defending, and looks weak. Possibly needs to go.
Young-pyo Lee: A right footed left back who gives the ball away too often and can’t make decent left-footed crosses/passes. Certainly does not make me feel confident when in our back 4, the left full-back position needs to be addressed.
Hossam Ghaly: Another one who can’t keep the ball and does not seem as committed as others. If his shirt-throwing incident is anything to go by, we might be better saying goodbye to this one.
Danny Murphy: Warming the bench at the moment, does show touches of quality when he plays. Can possibly get rid of him to bring in a better central midfielder.
Hossam Ahmed Mido: Overly criticised when he has played - which has not been often - but does not look confident or happy. Time for him to move on.
New Faces
Left back: A couple of new recruits are needed here. Reto Ziegler may be back and improved, but he will be a back up at best. Leighton Baines could be an option, as could Gareth Barry or Wayne Bridge, who will always play second fiddle to Cashley Cole. Younis Kaboul, the Auxerre defender and French under-21 captain is reportedly coming to us, and the hunt for Gareth Bale may be back on if Southampton do not make it to the Premiership.
Left Mid: Barry or Bridge again, but an out and out left winger probably required. Stewart Downing is a name that keeps going round and round, will we ever get him? Doubtful, and just as well as he is slightly over-rated and will be over-priced. We will have to look in the European leagues.
Strikers: Mido’s departure is almost certain…a certain friend of mine touted Mark Viduka as a possible replacement, which would not be a bad move. As for Defoe, he will have to work out what’s more important to him, Tottenham or England. I feel Darren Bent could fill the void if Defoe were to leave.
What do you think?
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We’ll get a defender, a midfielder and a striker.
Out: Murphy, Ziegler, Mido
In: Kaboul, Viduka/Bent, and an out-and-out left winger, hopefully from abroad.
Shame really because I like Murphy & Ziegler, but they’re wasting their time in our reserves.
One thing I must add about Defoe what drives me mad is the amount of times he gets himself caught off-side which I think shows lack of concentration. His game outside the box isn’t good, you very rarely see him win a ball and his possession isn’t fantastic. However he does have a great shot on him. Just hope he can improve and still has the desire to.
I want to see Lee Bernard come in as a fourth striker as he had a fantastic season in the reserves (season before last)being top scorer with 19 goals. Unfortunately he has been injured for most of this season. He impressed me when he made his debut in the previous season and caused the opposition alot of problems.
thats cause zeigler has been on loan to sampdoria all season.
getting more first team experience.
again… *sighs*
his first season was over played i felt.
second season seemed like jol didn’t want to know.
and then this season.
giving him what.?
1/2 starts.
everyone says.
we need a out and out left winger.
we have one.
but possibly need to buy a first team one.
and keep zeigler for our back up.
seeing as he can revert to full back as well.
i still dont know why we ever sold edman… :S
defender bale midfilder left m.g.pederson bring zeiglar back he’s a good young player needs a second chance. foward klose or bent both quality players.
out: defoe ,mido ,e.ekotto ,young pyo lee
defoe is not proving his worth get rid a get the money while we can! i’#d like to see zeiglar in the squad
defender bale midfilder left m.g.pederson bring zeiglar back he’s a good young player needs a second chance. foward klose or bent both quality players.
out: defoe ,mido ,e.ekotto ,young pyo lee and ghaly cannot control his actions
defoe is not proving his worth get rid a get the money while we can! i’#d like to see zeiglar in the squad
I disagree with your analysis of Zokora, Jenus and Lee.
Zokora had a slow start but has now settled and become 1st choice CM. Super fit and makes attacking darts. Does need to improve on his tackeling though.
I am in the JJ fan club, scores v important goals, will get up and down all day. Sometimes lacks concentration and his set pieces are poor.
Considering Lee started the season as 2nd choice when he got his chance he took it with both hands. His defending has improved from last season and gets forward well.
Definetly agree Mido is gone and will probably take his mate Ghlay with him. Would like to see us bring in top quality at LW and either keep Roultledge or bring in another RW to keep Lennon on his toes.
You can’t critize Defoe either, scored I think 17 goals this season (in all comps) and he’s hardly been 1st choice!
Whole article becomes void with wasted hope shown towards Stalteri. The man is an absolute Joke. It was his defensive lapses that cost us the champions league place last year. In particular the sloppy defending that cost us the last minute goal against arsenal. Hasn’t been played at all this year, THANK GOD!!!!!
Don’t see the point of letting Defoe go and bringing in Darren Bent. It’s quite simply like-for-like.
Do you really think that Lennon has had a good season?
Quote “Aaron Lennon: Not much needs to be said about Lennon, a fantastic player who we must keep if we are to break into the top 4.”
I don’t doubt that he is a player with great potential, but he is an attacking winger, ocassionally used as a second striker, or free man. A return of 5 goals is measly, and he rarely produces an end product…his crossing has been truely awful.
I’m not suggesting for one minute that he isn’t good enough, he is, but there are a number of areas of his game he needs to work on.
we need a two left back as pyo is not a left footed player and would like to see him on the right as cover for Chimbonda, like to see the great Younis Kaboul as backup and Matt Taylor or Gareth Bale as first choice
I’m surprised to hear myself say this but I really think we should keep hold of young pyo lee. He’s been a lot better this season, both in his defending and in his attacking.
Last year i’d agree, he looked like a korean traffic cone but this year he’s impressed me.
Get rid of BOTH our left backs? Considering Lee has been terrific this season I think your comments show you to be a pultroon.
although we need a left sided midfielder im sure young Taarbt will get more of an oportunity next year and become an instant hit like Lennon and Huddlestone have.
we’ve definately got to strenghten at the back…Bridge would be a great signing as would Gareth Barry…In midfield Damien Duff? that would be the left sorted! would love to see Kevin Nolan in but not sure if he’d want the move dan saff
as for strikers Mido out for sure but we don’t want the Fat aussie wanker for sure…there are plenty of better strikers around than him! apparently Gudjohnsens the latest rumour..how about Yakubu?
It is time we get the dead wood out of the club if we really do want two get in the top 4.There is a lot of bit part players at the club like. ekotto,young-pyo lee,jermain jenas how many times is he giving the ball away? and is allways inj?.and what ian hearing on the net everton want him and want two pay £10 mill 4 him?.mido, stalteri,hossam ghaly.they can all go in my book.and we should bring in Eidur gudjohnsen ,reo coker,gareth bale,younis kaboul,a top left winger and a top striker two link up with the god berbatov.and let,s go in two next season and get in the top 4 and stop all the chit chat. COME ON U SPURS.
pretty decent summing up Zed. definately far too weak on our left side, midfield and defence, and hopefully that’s where the priority will be for BMJ and Mr Comolli this summer.. Baines or Bale at Left back (prob go for baines personally as unfortunately we dont have the strength in depth to allow for Bale settling in to top flight footy).. Similar decision to make at left midfield.. if we’re thinking about the future, maybe Hatem Ben Arfa, or if we’re looking to build a strong squad for the present day, Martin Petrov or Morten Gamst Pedersen would be a couple of my top targets.. forget Downing, aint worth it!
The players you mentioned as “See you later”s ..well.. the one question to ask is “what do they bring to the team”.. for me it’s a BIG bag of nerves and frustration. In a squad every player has a role and with those players, it’s not always aparent what their’s is. Scare tactics for the fans maybe..? I would stick Gardner in with the “See Ya’s” as well though.
Hugo, I think what Zed’s getting at with the possible defoe out/Bent in.. is bringing in a player of the same (maybe a little bit more) class, but with a more team focused attitude to the game. I love defoe though, and you cant blame him for trying to score every time he gets 20 mins as at the end of the day if you’re a striker, when all’s said and done, people will judge your worth to the team on your goals tally and i think 18 goals in all comps this season having not been a regular makes him a “keeper” for me…if he can handle being second choice behind the Dimi and Keano partnership that is!
Also need some quality cover at Centre Half.. Gardner and Rocky just dont cut it.. Curtis Davies all the way!! young, british, is a quality player, and will only get better (and i hope that growth as a player will be at The Lane!)
coys!
Lose Zokora??? my god do you watch spurs? he’s the only drive we have, end product needs working on but at leave he takes us forward!
Need desperately to strengthen left side. Bridge and Gamst Pedersen would be nice. Could offer Defoe in exchange for Owen, bit risky with injuries, but imagine an on form Owen linking up with Berba. AWESOME. Everton supposedly want Jenas. Maybe do a swap for Tim Cahill, bit more end product from the centre then.
Other areas, i’d look at Sylvain Distin on a free and if Bridge or Pedersen are unavailable, Baines and maybe Martin Petrov could be good.
What do you think ??
COYS.
Erm…if you read the article you’d note that the author states we should keep Zokora. You buffoon.
Get rid of Ghaly - he is a disgrace and he is useless, Mido - I have seen milk turn quicker than that fat lump.
I am not convinced with Zokora, he is far too wasteful with the ball. He needs to pull his socks up. I am a big fan of Tommy Huddlestone. I think he can afford to be a bit more aggresive though especially in the tackle, he seems such a placid guy for one so large.
I also think that Lennon is getting too big for his boots and is failing to live up to his billing. Defenders just stand up to him and he seems to fall over. I know it doesn help being stuck out on the left a lot of the time.. Hopefully he will be better if we get a left sided midfielder in.
YP Lee doesnt cut it in defence or attack. He seems incapable of whipping the ball in with his left peg, he always wants to cut back to his right which spoils the flow of an attack. Garath Bale or Leighton Baines would be good here, maybe Wayne Bridge. In his defence Lee has looked more solid these last few games.
Out - Mido, Ghaly, Murphy etc
In:a tallish striker, a left back, a left sided midfielder maybe more defensive cover
Zokora has improved no end over the last 4 months and i think we must keep him, call me crazy but i also think jenas will be a key player next year.
I agree that we should let the following go ; Mido, Murphy, Ghaly, Stalteri.
Hopefully we can secure the services of Tarabbt and do need a quality centre back (curtis davies would be good) and a left back and left midfielder (please not Downing though). we also need another striker to replce Mido but i really don’t see darren bent as the answer.
These are the players we bneed to get us into the top 4 ahead of the scum!! Distin,Bridge,Sissoko or Alonso, MG Pedersen,Barnes and Viduka
OUT: mido (lazy), girly (after throwing that strop.. but i never really liked him anyway), murphy (good, but never plays), ziegler(he wants to leave, and i dont think we’ll ever play him, but i liked him when he did play), stalteri (had a couple of decent games, but did make a hash of it), Gardner (not as bad as the rest, always had trouble breaking through, but i do agree he’s actually alright! but we need better if we want in the top 4). Malbranque.. (fairly average player who likes passing to the other team, sometimes pretty good. sell him, but only if a replacement is bought!!)
INS: LB/LW matty taylor, gareth barry. (both prem players who can handle the job. either of them will be fine.)
striker - Zigic (or however you spell his name. heard lots about him a few months back, i like him.. good quality.)
CB - kaboul (we need the cover, esp if gardner goes.. rocha’s ok, but needs to get used to prem.)
Q’ do we still have routledge, or did we actually sell him? if so, bring him back..
If we could get a player who has berbs skill and tainio’s drive, just buy them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I took a look at all the squads in the Premiership this weekend and I can’t see many players worth having whilst those that are won’t be released. I’m not a big fan of Lee, A-E, or (sorry but he does go down too easily) Zokora but unless there’s much better out there I’m happy if they stay. Murphy and Mido are definitely out the exit door for me though.
MJ and DC are probably going to spend a lot of time out of the country this summer.
I agree with most of the above choices, although I would sell Defoe and Gardner and keep Lee as back up for both full back positions. We need to bring in a tall forward, a couple of left sided midfielders and a left back - a ball winning midfielder and back up centre half would be great also. Amongst the players I would like to bring in are Wayne Bridges, Gant Pedersen, Darren Bent
out- ghaly, mido, murphy,
in- leighton baines or bridge,curtis davies,or anton ferdinand,reo coker, darren bent, giles barnes, and probably most of all morton gamst pedersen, that boy seriously delivers a good ball. also lets not forget routledge who should not be loaned out next season.lets not forget that lennon was bought as his back up.
Ghaly,Mido,Murphy definitely out..
Lee is always useful til we lost him we did not realise how good he is..Definite stayer.
Ekotto, if he gives opposition as much space and avoids physical contact as he did while he was fit earlier in the season he`d better go sooner rather than later..Would like to see him playing as a left winger though..worth a try..cant defend but very quick and goes past people so why not?
Ziegler, wont wear the shirt again..
Who ever we sign must be experienced and man enough to stand up and be counted..can afford a youngster or two but experienced pros also needed..
Reo Coker,Barry,Baines etc. not good enough to push into the top 4..
A Davids at his 28-29 is a must..
OUT: Mido, Murphy, Ghaly, Ziegler, Gardner
IN: Bent, Pedersen/Petrov, Bale/Bridge/Taylor, Kaboul, Sidwell/Reo-Coker & bring back Routledge for cover.
We desperately need a quality left midfielder & left back. To make a huge step forward in 2008 we need players who are real class or are used to the Premier league or both. I think the above signings can help us into the top 4.
Anthony Gardner should go…he’s cumbersome clumsy (gave the ball away for citys goal on sunday) - and when he does head things it usually goes straight up in the air….he is useless and probably struggles to pass water let alone the ball.
Ghaly Murphy Mido - just not enough from them to justify keeping them…
What irritates me is we are being linked with centrehalves and centre midfielders and a forward when we are crying out for left sided players….Lee was better this term but still not good enough…Is Bale the answer? an 18y/o facing the likes of ronaldo gerrard on the opposing teams right? not sure.What about the reading left back? Shorey? solid enough by all accounts - and he was constantly mooted as the best left back outside the england squad.But i do hope we don’t go for downing (again). I think he is over-rated completely.
Food for thought i suppose but lets be honest…left sided players anywhere who we could realistically sign don’t exactly jump out at you do they?
I agree. YP Lee had a (completely unexpected) blinder towards the end of the season. His injury really cost us, especially against Seville in the return leg, when we had to play Chimbonda at LB, where he wasn’t too hot (plus we lost his good play on the right). With King & Dawson in the middle, that’s our defence pretty sorted.
I think Malbranque has done pretty well since he came in. Occasionally he drifts out the game, but he’s very good at keeping the ball and just as good off it. Plus he plays the cunning through ball which links so well with Berba. The overally quality of our football improves when he’s involved. And Lennon’s obviously class, though he was knackered these last few games.
So for me, the real question is the Zokora/ Jenas partnership in the middle. Now, Zokora had malaria early on in the season. This is serious! (No.2 world killer after AIDS) So I can forgive him a slow start. And I thought he was definitely one of our stronger players towards the end of the season; no-one gets round him, he covers the pitch as well as anyone, plus he holds the ball up well. We just need to recognise he’s a holding player, not creative.
And Jenas, well, his return to the side after extended injury conincided almost directly with our upturn in form in the second half of the season. (This is coz of his pace if you ask me.) Nonetheless, I agree with the article. While he has a great shot, good feet, unbelievable engine, he does not use the ball well, and his free kicks are woeful. He fits into a Top-5 side, but does he fit into a Top 4 side? I don’t know.
And upfront is a given, it’s just a matter of who’s on the bench.
Oh, and respect to the little Finn. We bought him for almost nothing and he’s already done a great job for us. Never complains either. Long may he stay with us.
So, Jenas/Zokora - that’s the question for me.
Sell Defoe?? Not in a million years - who are you going to buy instead from the PL?
Gudjohnsen for Mido would be an amazing deal but no way should we sell someone whose scored 17 goals for us, mostly coming off the bench.
Strewth.
While Paul Stalteri is not first choice right back material I think he is more than adequate cover for Chimbonda. I also think you are overly harsh on Ekotto and Lee - both our left backs play without natural left wing cover. Two v One - if the two are are decent always wins. Lee has also had an excellent second half of the season. I still think we need to purchase two left sided players (One who is an attacking winger and the other more defensively minded - Cook/Bale/Barnes from the Championship all spring to mind - in addition to the more high profile Torres/Robben) I completely agree that Ghaly, Murphy and Mido have gotta go - I would probably add Gardner here as well. Not because I don’t like him as a player but neither the manager or the fans trust him to be fair, and it is not good for his confidence. On the “New Faces” angle, I would say that we need 3/4 new players and could probably blow a couple mil on 1 wildcard. The needs are, two left sided players (see above) a large-ish striker, (all the talk is of bent, but personally I would like a 26/27yr-old experienced target style guy) and a Centre-back (it seems we may have that in the bag already) - My wildcard would be an attacking centre mid (a look at the opta stats reveals all our centre mids are lacking assists). I might be jumping the gun here as Taraabt may come in and fill this wildcard role as everyone at the club speaks of him very highly.
I just had a second thought… My brother (who is also a spurs fan) was banging on about a need to sign a replacement for Zokora seeing as the African Nations Cup is next season and he may be gone for the whole of Jan/Feb. While I’m keen to blood Huddlestone and Taraabt in. I would like more experienced cover for them to rely on.
You lot are absolutely ignorant and its clear u dont follow the facts and stats, Defoe has scored 18goals(4 less than keane with only half the games)so what else should he do?Lee can still prove useful as a squad player and so can Ghaly(despite the ill-discipline)
OUT:Mido can just as well go coz he’s possibly the most overrated player ever.Ekotto(an embarassment to EPL) and Murphy can follow him!
IN: LB- defntly Bridge coz he’s most suited plus he’ll want 1st team ftbll/LMD- forget downing he’s too over-rated.Pederson’s most suitable but could be tricky to get/CF- a good striker can be found somewhere in europe.
I think your artical is very average! Agree on certain aspects, the Jenas one especialy!
Three must signings IMO!
1. Left Back: Wayne Bridge/ Baines/ Bale/ Matty Taylor!
2. Left Wing: Pedersen/ Barry/ Richardson!
3. Centre Half: Ben Haim!
4. Striker: Bent or Ashton if Defoe goes!
Out with Mido, Ghaly, Murphy Carnage Gardner, Ziegler and Stalteri!
OUT:GHALY,MIDO,STALTEI,ASSU EKOTO
IN CF:BENT/HUNTELAAR
LMF:DOWNING/PEDERSEN
LB:BARRY/BALE
CB:AYALA
Goal:see if posible to buy good keper who’s good in the air and great shot-stopper like Buffon
Deff:Dump gadener grab nesta/canavaro add good left back like brige
mid:we could sell ghaly and grab Essien
Att:add joe cole and Tevez.Bye Mido
Robinson Buffon Nesta Canavaro King Dawson Chimbonda Bridge Lee Ifil Essien Zokora Lennon Tainio Malbranqe Huddlestone Joe cole Tevez Keane Berbatov Defoe!
tom - don’t wish to be patronising, but the players you are talking about are completely unrealistic. buffon, nesta, cannavaro, ESSIEN, joe cole, tevez..i mean i’m as proud and optimistic as any Spurs fan, but there’s not a hope in hell of getting those players. we’re not in the CL let alone part of the top 4, so how do you expect us to get players of THAT quality? plus the defenders you want, despite their quality are too old, when our policy is to buy young and (preferably) English.
i think if we are going for the 4th spot then we have to get rid of the dead woods mido,ghaly,murphy,gardener,ekkote. We have to kill of lesser teams and really show that we deserve the 4th spot and not just because we finished 5th twice. we should been in the UEFA cup final ,but for us creating 2 school boy error’s which costed us dearly.LB should be Bridge and bale,LM Martin Petrov who has dynamite in his left foot,CM scott Parker and get huddlestone to add some bite to his game,CF darren Bent got pace,can score goals,can hold up the ball.
we outta get in …someone solid in midfield…nani wud be gr8!!!!!
[...] discussed in a previous article on Tottenham’s current squad about who I felt we needed in terms of personnel, but ultimately a decent back-up centre half is [...]
What about signing peter crouch from Liverpool. I think he would be a great option for us alongside berbatov or to rest him when tired. He has been a revelation since joining liverpool. Curtis Davies and Wayne Bridge would be great buys too.
I agree Crouch would not be a bad idea..he is used to putting the team first as he is rotated at Liverpool, and is a different option. Let’s bring him back to the Lane!
Mido and Defoe are going for good and so will Ziegler.
We will sign Kaboul and we have signed Bent.
Arsenal will be in 5th position in the 2007/2008 season because Henry has gone to barcelona. Spurs will be 4th.
think this is a BIG season 4 the spurs!!
even with henry gone arsenal still have quality and we failed to beat them in the carling cup with some of their top players missing so finishing 4th will be hard but what if?!…i would be gloating for months!! good signings so far but i still think the 17m we shelled out for bent could have been used in other areas ie pederson, maybe we still have funds to spend before start of season?!
outs- ghaly,assou-ekotto,mido,rocha,
ins- a left winger just required, surprised not to be linked with robben or ribery before he went munich.
improvements- robinson and jenas from our first 11- stalteri,tainio,gardner,huddlestone,yp lee,murphy from the rest of the squad. think young taarbt will make an impression and i hear terry dixon looks good in the youth ranks. come on u spurs!!
Yeah, a really big season.