Not really, since the Reddit crowd is currently saying our summer business should be Ziyech, Wan Bissaka, Sessegnon and maybe Mitrovic - with no real mention of central midfield in spite it being obvious we need to rebuild that part of the team for the past couple of seasons Let's be honest, we've been crying out for a decent understudy for both Kane and Eriksen for years, and while we've attempted to address the former with the signings of Janssen and Llorente there has been no attempt at the latter, which has led to us both running Eriksen into the ground while also looking toothless in games where Eriksen is unavailable, rested, or knackered Obviously there's the issue of who the hell would want to be in that position, but say for the sake of argument we had Eberechi Eze in reserve, that could potentially give Eriksen both a rest and potentially a little more time to practice his free kicks
Well today's Bournemouth result and other recent abject performances have exposed the huge issues we have with quality, strength in depth and most likely players to replace this coming summer. If the club doesn't see that we have massive problems now, they must be blind. In January, I thought we just needed one or two quality players to make a difference but come this summer, I think that number will realistically rise to 4, possibly 5. I think it's a dead cert now that both Toby and Eriksen will leave this summer. So in terms of what we have and what we need has become a far greater problem. Assuming we had a fully fit squad, here's who I'd keep and where we fall short. ============== 4-2-3-1 FORMATION ============== ============== 3-5-2 FORMATION ============== I think we are clearly short of 4 quality first team players minimum, come this summer. We will definitely need a new CB and possibly two RB's/RWB's as I'd happily let both Trippier and Aurier go. We're desperate for a top class leader in the middle of the field and if Eriksen goes, we'll need a creative force behind Kane or whoever leads the line. As far as I'm concerned we can part with Trippier, Janssen, Lamela, Wanyama, Nkoudou, Llorente, Onomah, Aurier and Vorm. The rest such as the likes of Winks, Dier, Walker-Peters, Foyth, Moura, Davies and Carter-Vickers as squad players. Some may develop and improve over time but are certainly not good enough to be regular starters or make this team better. We need fresh investment and badly.
I do not understand why people sre so dismissive of winks tbh. We have missed him terribly since the 1st leg v man city imo and that's a big part of the recent poor performances where we have given away midfield control
Personally, I'm not dismissive of him at all. Think the kid has great potential but he's not a leader of men. We need a proper leader in the centre alongside Moussa next season. Winksy isn't at that level yet. If we brought someone in he could look up to, who knows where he could go as a player. But to think he's good enough week in, week out is asking too much.
Alli is clearly the better talent. Whether it's been injuries or his side projects distracting him, we all know he can deliver so much more. But Lucas for sure puts in a lot of energy. Sadly, I see little end product as a result most of the time.
Think he's average mate. Can't fault his work rate and commitment to the cause but there's a reason why just about every Spurs fan believes we need at least one new CM in the summer. Ok as a squad player and in fairness to him he's looked a lot better in Europe than the Prem but all in all, I think if Spurs want to be reaching that "next level", Winks isn't someone we should be relying on most weeks. His injury record for someone his age isn't too great either, now three straight seasons he's picked up a lengthy injury.
Not denying that but if a supposed squad player is performing better than him then questions need to be asked. To be all cliché - "Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard". We've seen that with Sissoko this season, in terms of natural talent he's well down near the bottom of the squad but his work rate this season more than makes up for it and is likely to see him win our POTY.
If it’s any consolation, Winks went up in my estimations this season from “****ing useless” to “average” . Unfortunately, Trippier went in the opposite direction .
That's the thing: Davies, Dier, Winks, Moura and Gazzaniga are good quality squad players - and if you don't believe me, let me once again dust off the fact I keep bringing up that the likes of Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Johnny Evans were basically good enough to be regular starters for Sunderland or West Brom, yet have numerous honours as part of Man Utd's squad The real issue is we have good squad players as regular starters in some positions (i.e. Trippier) or don't have good squad players covering for players who need a squad player covering them (i.e. Kane, Eriksen) and that's what's hurt us not just this season, but for the last couple
Totally. I think that's half the reason players like Eriksen and Alli have been so poor this season. There's literally no one challenging for their spots. Each week they're a shoe in (if fit), so it creates a culture of complacency. They're too comfortable and it shows.
The weird thing is that, on paper, Eriksen and Alli are challenging for the same spot - but because neither is going to be dropped both play or, as has happened this season, one gets dropped into a deeper position which only nerfs the hell out of them as a result The 3421 formation we were using a couple of seasons back showed we can play the two alongside one another...but Son's made that problematic too
By my reckoning, Alli's last quality performance was Dec 20th 2018 in the Carabao QF against Arsenal away. As I said in my lengthy post over on the match day thread, he is on borrowed time as far as I'm concerned. Like a number of players (Eric Dier I'm looking at you) he hasn't kicked on since 2016/17 and last season looked like he was plateauing. This season he had gone backwards no two ways about it. Still an outrageously talented player but something isn't right. Wouldn't be surprised if he wants out this summer and tbh if a team came in with an offer over £100m I would struggle to say no as with that kind of money we really could rebuild.
Don't think Alli could leave Spurs right now and join a better club. The only players than can are Kane, Son, Eriksen and possibly Toby. If Jan were younger he could too.
