To be honest the form Jan's been in as of late, I wouldn't want to switch him about. Not only is he contributing in an attacking sense, his defensive play has been superb. Plus, in his brief stint in CM when he came on with 15 minutes left vs Norwich in the cup, he was probably the worst player on the pitch. Misplaced many passes AND was at fault for one of their goals. He knows his game at CB and I think he's best staying there, for us and him. When Kaboul returns, I'd have him in for Walker at RB. He's far better defensively and Kaboul has proved in the past at RB he's more than capable of getting up and down the wing (Man City anyone ). I think our best team when all are fit would be: Lloris, Kaboul, Dawson (with Caulker challenging him intensely), Vertonghen, Ekotto Sandro, Dembele Lennon, Bale, Holtby/ Sig Defoe While Sandro and Kaboul are out, then Parker/ Carroll and Walker/ Naughton to fill their places respectively. Eventually I'd want a Kaboul and Vertonghen CB partnership but until Walker either finds form/ Naughton's given a proper chance and impresses/ Smith returns from loan and takes it/ new RB is bought, I'd like Kaboul there.
Anyone brought up at Ajax (he was there for 9 years from the age of 16) learns to play with the ball at their feet. He is as accomplished a defender on the ball as you will find in the PL. Add to that his height and it's not surprising he has been so effective at both ends of the field. If Bale hadn't had such a good run of form, he would stand out as Spurs' best player this season. One man team? Well, perhaps a two man team! I'm surprised City didn't move for him last season (he was linked). He would have have been the perfect foil for Kompany.
Yeah everyone that comes through the Ajax set up is generally very technically gifted. Whether it be from a defender to centre forward. My vote actually goes to Vertonghen as our POTY, no doubt Bale will get it and it won't be undeserved either as he's been amazing but Vertonghen coming into a new, stronger league and performing like he has, has been fantastic, he's got more league goals than Adebayor! (which isn't hard ).
well said Luke Add lennon to that too. its no wonder there's supposed to be so much interest in the dutch players this summer. Cove has listed about 20-25 in a different thread. Victor Fischer and Christian Eriksen please, Mr Levy!
It's the emergence of Belgium as a footballing nation that intrigues me. We hear of how other clubs have turned their game around in the media, though their investigations (and probably their knowledge) only seem to extend as far as Germany and Spain. But remember that while Verts made his name at Ajax (and indeed since he was there from 16 Belgium may not be relevant), he is actually Belgian - as are many notable PL players. In fact I wouldn't fancy the chances of the current England team against Belgium!
Eriksen's an attacking midfielder and Fischer's a striker, though a very young one. Looks pretty accomplished already, though. Jelle Vossen might be worth a look, if we're talking Belgians and strikers. Decent scoring record for Genk, Benteke's old club, though I wouldn't have put him down as a first choice. Haven't seen enough of him to say whether he's actually suitable for us, but he does know where the goal is.
Hard to tell with the way that Ajax set up, but I think Forward might be the best description of his position. He's not a lead-the-line player, by any means. Someone will probably be on soon to tell us that he's a false 9/8/7/11 or something.
