Spurs have had several wing wizards among their ranks in years gone by.
Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur in action against Jonathan Biabiany – Inter Milan
While the modern game seems to remove wingers by and large, Tottenham Hotspur have had a host of excellent widemen at White Hart Lane down the years, especially in the Premier League era.
Since the start of the new millennium, some of the world’s best players have pulled on the Tottenham shirt in a wide position – two of them make this list. Here are five of the best wingers Spurs have had since 2000.
Gareth Bale
We may as well start this list with a man currently plying his trade for none other than Real Madrid. It very nearly didn’t happen for Bale at Tottenham – after signing as a left back from Southampton in 2007, there were heavy rumours linking the Wales international with both loan and permanent switches to Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, but then something happened. Bale got a chance further upfield due to injuries, and never looked back, becoming one of the world’s most feared wingers in the process. After hitting 21 goals in 33 Premier League fixtures, Madrid came calling in 2013, and Bale left as one of the most sought after talents in world football. He also left with 55 goals in 203 games for Spurs in all competitions – the majority of which came in an unbelievable three year spell.
Tottenham’s Jermaine Jenas celebrates scoring their first goal with team mate Aaron Lennon (R)
Aaron Lennon
After signing from Leeds United in 2005, Lennon – a diminutive yet incredibly pacy winger – set about making his mark at White Hart Lane, and would go on to rack up 364 appearances for Spurs, 266 of those coming in the Premier League. While never the most prolific of wingers – Lennon scored on 30 occasions for Tottenham, 26 in league fixtures – his ability to glide past a man and then leave them chasing his shadow meant he was a constant threat and an incredibly useful option for Spurs to have. After 10 years of service, Lennon left for Everton in 2015, where he remains today.
David Ginola
We can just about squeeze Ginola in this list, as he left Spurs in 2000, but still contributed after the new millennium began. One of the most stylish footballers to ever grace the Premier League, the former France international was a wizard down the wing, with the ability to beat men for fun, whip in a ball with unerring accuracy for the forward, and occasionally score goals. Fans and players alike adored Ginola, who was a true entertainer we don’t see the like of as frequently today. The only English trophy he ever won was with Spurs,the 1999 League Cup final, and Ginola left in 2000 with 13 goals in 103 matches.
FA Cup 5th round replay Mandatory Credit : Action Images / Darren Walsh Tottenham’s Darren Anderton celebrates scoring the opening goal
Darren Anderton
Spurs’ trusted number seven for 12 years, Anderton’s versatility saw him play in a variety of positions across the middle, but he was best out on the wing – where a terrific cross and an ability to track back and defend saw him as an ideal right midfielder. Anderton famously turned down an approach from Manchester United to remain at Tottenham, and in his 12 years of service, he racked up 299 league appearances, scoring 34 goals. But for injuries and those figures could have been so much higher, and in 2004 Anderton departed Spurs for Birmingham City.
Simon Davies
The former Wales international was plucked from Peterborough United of all places, and turned into a superb bargain for Spurs. While nowhere near as gifted as some of the others on this list, Davies was reliable and a consistent performer for Tottenham, appearing 147 times in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. With a useful cross and a knack of popping up with a goal, Davies was well appreciated by Tottenham fans during his stay at White Hart Lane. Another player who had his career hampered by injuries however, Davies departed Spurs for Everton in 2005
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