David Bentley was clearly not rated by Harry Redknapp, can he turn it around under new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas?
It is four years since David Bentley signed with Spurs, and he is the first to admit his big move has not gone to plan.
A former Arsenal youngster, it was at Blackburn where his career really took off, making more than 80 appearances for Mark Hughes’ side, and winning Player of the year awards for the club.
He made no secret of his desire to be in the spotlight, and when Tottenham paid £15 million for him, it was seen as his move into the big time. At that point he was on the edges of the England squad.
International manager at the time, Steve McClaren, had placed an unnecessarily pressure on the young man’s shoulders, saying he had the potential to be the ‘new David Beckham’.
When Juande Ramos was sacked as Spurs manager eight games into the 2008-09 season after a disastrous start, it would mark the beginning of a nightmare for Bentley, even though he did not realise it, and his best moment in a Spurs shirt was yet to come.
That moment came against Arsenal, in Harry Redknapp’s first match in charge, Bentley scored a terrific and unlikely volley from 40 yards out over Manuel Almunia in a memorable 4-4 draw, a strike which won Goal of the Month.
Since then the midfielder has been edged out by Redknapp, and was loaned to West Ham last season where he made just five appearances before injury curtailed his season. Redknapp’s sacking gives his prospects a new dimension.
Bentley has a contract at the club until 2014, and the offers are not exactly flooding in for him. Had Redknapp stayed on, he would have been regarded as ‘deadwood’ primed for a move or even a loan.
Refreshed from his injury, Bentley told The People that Andre Villas-Boas has handed him ‘a clean slate’. Does he deserve it?
Fans may be split, the midfielder is on a high wage and was brought in for an extortionate price, which he has done little to repay. However if he can get back to his Blackburn form, he could still be a great asset for Spurs.
Predominantly a right sided midfielder, if Aaron Lennon was to suffer the same injury problems as last season, missing weeks at a time, Tottenham would do well to have Bentley in reserve, especially now Niko Kranjcar has moved on.
It is difficult to assess Bentley’s prospects right now at a time of transition for Tottenham’s squad. Villas-Boas is expected to bring in several new signings, of which could include players to push Bentley further down the pecking order.
He will have to win over supporters, and take advantage of any opportunities he is given. After being overlooked and cast aside by Harry Redknapp pretty much since 2009, Bentley deserves a fresh start as much as anybody else.
If he can’t take advantage of it then it is entirely his loss. If he can, then the mantra of ‘having him back is like a new signing’ will never be more apt.
Should David Bentley get a chance at Spurs next season?
image: © wonker
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