Tottenham Hotspur have had some brilliant players during their history, but which one would fans love to have around now?
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as genuine top four favourites in the Premier League over the last couple of years, and have also threatened to challenge for the title in that time. Last season, they were the last team standing between Leicester and the trophy, and this year, they look destined to come up just short once again.
Mauricio Pochettino may spend the summer agonising over what that missing ingredient could be. So, while this will have little impact on his thoughts, hypothetically, which legend from Tottenham’s past would make the greatest impact in the current team if they were playing in their prime today?
Before you get the chance to vote, here is a look at the contenders…
Danny Blanchflower
The great Northern Irishman was not only a brilliant midfielder, but he was also a captain for the most successful period in Spurs’ history, most notably, guiding them to the league and FA Cup double in 1961. Perhaps, having his leadership in the middle of the park would just take today’s squad to that next level.
Dave Mackay
Blanchflower’s teammate during that trophy-laden spell, Dave Mackay was Tottenham’s rock. Spurs look great in holding midfield these days with Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama, but a Mackay in his prime would surely make them even more solid.
Jimmy Greaves
One of Tottenham’s biggest problems recently has been the lack of depth up front with Harry Kane shouldering the goalscoring burden from the strikers’ perspective on his own. Having Jimmy Greaves – who scored a staggering 220 league goals for Spurs in just 321 games – in their ranks would surely see them boast the best strike force in the top flight.
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle was certainly one of the most gifted players of his generation, and arguably one of the best to pull on a Tottenham shirt ever. His creativity made him so influential to the Spurs team that won the UEFA Cup in 1984 and FA Cup in 1981 and 1982, so imagine the partnership he could strike up with Kane.
Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne’s ability on the football pitch should never be forgotten despite the ongoing struggles within his personal life. With the ball at their feet, there were few better than Gazza, and it was during his spell at Tottenham where he arguably proved that best. With that Gascoigne in the current squad, Spurs would surely have the wildcard they need to take that next step.
Steve Perryman
With 854 Tottenham appearances under his belt, Steve Perryman, at his best, may have been the ideal figure to have amongst the current team given his leadership and reliability. Like the other names on this list, he knows how to win trophies having guided the club to so many during his record-breaking spell at White Hart Lane.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale
Though Gareth Bale did not quite enjoy the same level of success as some of the other names on this list before leaving White Hart Lane, the fact that he played with a number of the current squad and has since gone on to become one of the world’s best with Real Madrid means that it is difficult to imagine what level the current Spurs team could have reached with him in their ranks.
There are countless other names that could be included in the poll – the likes of Pat Jennings, Gary Lineker, Bill Nicholson and Martin Chivers – so if you feel that another Spurs legend in their prime would have made the greatest impact in today’s squad, simply choose ‘Other’ and leave a comment suggesting who that player would be…
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