Transfer Rumours transfer thread fact and fiction

I still wouldn’t pick to have Sissoko as a player in my squad. He wouldn’t fit “the Spurs way” of playing, either as a CM or RW, just not technical enough, no one could fault his work rate but it just wasn’t enough in the grand scheme of things.

As for Ndombele, if he could actually be effective for 70 mins I would 100% take that, van der Vaart for as much as we all loved him had shocking stamina too and was often anonymous after 70-75 mins. Ndombele hasn’t taken control of enough games or impacted them anywhere near like Rafa use to though so 70 mins of him would be hit or miss most weeks, dependent on if he decided to turn up or not, whereas Rafa was one of our best players most weeks during the first 70 mins of a game and that made him a massively valuable asset, his charisma then made his impact feel twice as good.

I think as CK and many of us have said over the years, Ndombele is phenomenally naturally talented but his mental strength massively hinders him and us. If he had Sissoko’s work rate or if Sissoko had Ndombele’s ability you’d have a world class midfielder without a shadow of a doubt but what both lack results in them never really being good enough if you’re a team wanting to be a genuine force in the league.

 

Footballing Gods, I’m begging you… don’t care if he’s half the player he once was, it’s just a footballing bucket list thing. Perisic despite a good few underwhelming performances is one I was able to tick off, this would absolutely be another. And Jesus Christ do we need a proper leader in this squad.

 

Kane linked with Madrid again by multiple sources, this despite Benzema’s decision to seemingly stay now after the Saudi links. If we’re not gonna keep Harry, that’s 100% the move I wish for him. Biggest club on the planet, will challenge for every honour going and he’d prove any doubters (if there are still any) just how brilliant he is, same as Modric did when we were telling the footballing world he was one of the best midfielders on the planet and being laughed at for it.

 

Surely you have Harry as your leader ?

 

Ability wise yeah, it’s why he bails us out most weeks but he’s not a vocal leader nor someone who can rally the whole team if things are going bad. Similar to Modric and Bale in that sense before him. We’ve probably lacked a genuine on field leader since the days of Dawson.

 

Tbh I know exactly what you mean.
Under Fergie we had 8 or 9 leaders on the pitch most of the time, that suddenly dropped to zero for far too long. This season I have seen 2 maybe 3 develope that trait and it's made a difference, long may it continue.

 

I agree with this. Dier pretends to be the leader in action, but unfortunately doesn’t seem to command the required level of respect, or maintain the level of competence, required.

 

Kane and the Mrs are expecting again, I can't see a move like that going through at this point in time knowing how family orientated they are and what looks like Kane's determination to break the premiership scoring record

 

Kane definitely wants that record but I think Madrid are the exception to any rule in football. No one turns them down and he’ll be the marquee signing of their new galactico era, that’s way too big a moment and opportunity for a player to turn down.

 

Does he?

I haven’t seen it ever so I don’t really know why people think so highly of his ‘natural ability’

I’ve seen him control a ball and get past a few players in his time…scored the odd goal…so what?

‘when he’s in the mood’…I’ve heard that about him too…most players have got some ‘wow’ moments in them…look at Skipp and his goal v Chelsea.

If he rarely to never shows it then is it him, the Ballon d’or potential or just a moment he’s having?

bang average imo

 

Oh no...

 

Just thinking about possible targets from the relegated sides and what to avoid.

Southampton went down due to **** management and a lack of quality up front.
They scored 36 league goals and half of them were from Ward-Prowse, Adams and Alcaraz.
Nobody else got more than 2, while their loanee to Burnley scored 17 in the league and 19 overall.

Leeds went down because they had the worst defence in the league and didn't protect it.
Bamford's appalling finishing didn't help, but they did get an impressive shift up top from Rodrigo.
13 in 35 league goals is decent, especially from largely a wide role.
Various other wide players did ok too, including Harrison, Sinisterra, Gnonto and Summerville.

Leicester went down due to a combination of poor defending, injuries and bad planning.
They didn't replace Schmeichel and left too many players in limbo on the contract front.
Freezing out Soyuncu because he was going on a free was also stupid.
Having to play 98-year-old Evans and Woot Face didn't help, but they also had lots of crocks.
Some were predictable and others were under pressure because of those obvious ones.

So who would I consider picking up from those teams?
Saints? Ward-Prowse, Walker-Peters, Lavia, plus some of their youngsters (Bazunu, Bella-Kotchap).
Leeds? Some of those young wingers, maybe? Risky and pricey.
Leicester? Maddison, Tielemans and possibly Ndidi, if he could get his form back.

 

It sounds as though Lloris has confirmed his desire for a new challenge this summer if an offer arrives.

I hope the club honour it and don’t demand a silly fee or anything that could scupper the move.

Phenomenal servant and player to the club. Owed a testimonial too, so I hope he gets it whether that be in the summer or once he retires, fully earned it as well. Just a shame that like many other top players in recent years he has little to show for his displays for us on his CV.

 

It would be nice if the club could arrange something for a bunch of our ex-players next summer.
Lloris, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dembele, Lennon and even players longer gone, like Defoe.
The recent charity match could be a great blueprint, just scale it up.

 

Are testimonials still a thing these days? I can’t recall any in recent years.

 

Ledders was the last one I remember off the top of my head

 

Very few players stay long enough at a club to earn one these days. We are fortunate to have two

 

It harkens back to days when money was **** and players general lack of 'other' skills easily led to destitution when careers came to an end.
They were meant to soften the financial blow - something totally ****ing unnecessary now.

 

yup they don’t need them

****ing loaded