Everton will want to keep the South African midfielder, but Spurs would be silly to sell.
Sorry Everton fans, you may not like where this is going, but if we were Tottenham, there is no way we’d sell Steven Pienaar.
A combination of the fact that Harry Redknapp preferred his ‘favourites’ and injury problems meant the midfielder never got much of a look in at the Lane, but that will surely change.
It is an old adage, but after the loan spell he has had, him coming back will be ‘like having a new signing.’
Pienaar, 30, was clearly happy at Everton when he went back, but give him a full pre-season and treat him like the star player he deserves to be looked upon as, and he can enjoy his time at Spurs just as much.
What he must not forget, is why he left Everton in the first place.
He left for the chance to play European football, and for a club which was closer to the summit of the Premier League, that has not changed.
Spurs have one foot in the Champions League next season; Chelsea beating Bayern could change that, but a Europa League place as a minimum is assured.
Luka Modric’s comments, as reported in the Telegraph today, place added importance on Tottenham keeping Pienaar.
“I will decide about my future after the Euros, I will make the decision where to continue my career. I’m ready for the big tests.”
After the indecisiveness of last summer, Tottenham fans will hardly be warm to a repeat, and the player looks set for a clash with chairman Daniel Levy, who recently issued a statement declaring he did not intend on selling any star players.
Will he 100 per cent stay? We aren’t so sure. What the Modric situation does do, is place a spotlight on the Pienaar decision.
Allowing two international standard midfielders to leave would be a backwards step for the club, and increase the work they have to do to set things right.
Tottenham want to improve. If Modric leaves, they will have to buy big simply to stand still.
Knowing Pienaar will stay would soften the blow, and help Tottenham if they are forced into restructuring.
Even if Modric stays, Spurs should keep Pienaar, but while the situation with the Croat drags on, as it is likely to until at least July, then agreeing to sell the South African would be especially premature.
It might be tough on the player and Everton, who both want to engineer a move, but Tottenham hold the cards.
Should Spurs keep Pienaar or let him leave?
image: © nicksarebi
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