Speculation has been raging that several Tottenham players want out of the club if Andre Villas-Boas is appointed. Should supporters be concerned?
On the face of it, Spurs fans should be worried at the unrest going after Villas-Boas is supposedly causing. On further inspection, it should not cause great worry.
For a ‘player revolt’ should only cause panic if the players concerned are key men.
A headline in the Daily Express exclaimed on Saturday night – ‘Tottenham players queue to quit as Andre Villas-Boas becomes new boss.’
But who are the players? Let’s go through them and decide if Spurs should be worried, and reconsider hiring the manager.
Ledley King – In an ideal world Spurs would keep King, but in an ideal world he would have no injury problems. The facts are he does, and he should consider himself fortunate if he gets a new contract, and should give the new boss a chance. If he wants to leave, then it’s time to let him go and sat good luck. Spurs are well covered at centre-half, especially if Jan Vertonghen signs.
Luka Modric – Hardly a reflection on Villas-Boas. The player has been desperate to quit the club for 12 months. The issue is he wants to play Champions League football, and AVB does not possess a magic wand.
Giovanni dos Santos – Dos Santos has had a terrible experience since signing for Tottenham, and it is clear he needs to move on for the sake of his career. He is keen to move to Spain, and would be no great loss to Spurs, considering he barely played last season.
David Bentley – We doubt any Spurs fans will be cancelling their season tickets if Bentley leaves the club.
Heurelho Gomes – Tottenham’s third choice goalkeeper now. No loss.
William Gallas – Like King, it’s time to say thanks and goodbye. He has the potential to be just the type of disruptive influence which cost AVB the Chelsea job and the manager should ensure he does not return next season. He made only 15 league starts last season and at 35 has seen better days.
Jermain Defoe – We don’t buy this one. Defoe is Tottenham’s only recognisable striker right now, so it would be a mistake for him to start looking elsewhere. Villas-Boas should do his best to keep him.
Steven Pienaar – It’s no secret Pienaar believes his future lies away from White Hart Lane. If he can’t be convinced to stay, Spurs will cope.
So what should we make of the report? Not much. Tottenham’s squad needs a clearout, and the majority of those ‘wanting out’ are ones who need to be moved elsewhere. All of these players had cases for wanting to leave the club before Villas-Boas was linked with arriving, so there is no need for the press to link the two. Defoe Spurs should try to keep, and they should be able to. Modric is another matter – but the Express are simply being mischievous. Key man Gareth Bale has committed his future to the club, and there is no reason to believe Rafael van der Vaart will leave either. There are plenty of reasons for Spurs to be positive about the manager’s appointment, and fans should start getting excited about the potential players arriving at the club this summer.
Are you excited or concerned about Villas-Boas being appointed?
image: © Vladimir Maiorov
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