The Case for Lewis Holtby

Article by JayCo

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As we are in the midst of yet another transition, the debate across the blogs and journalists is rich, (or more accurately… poor) with list after list of which of our players Mauricio Pochettino should send packing to pastures new and which players to replace them with. 90% of these lists are of course just regurgitation's of other lazy ‘journalists’ and ‘sports writers.’ Yes they are in inverted commas for a reason! However the same names on the chopping block seem to be consistent across the board.

The one name however, that has never failed to crop up throughout this summer, and is doing the rounds again today is one that totally baffles me and one I certainly hope is not sold in the near future for a number of reasons. Lewis Holtby has had a turbulent and strange career since he was purchased in one of our Chairmans’ more special bargain deals for £1.5m back in January 2013. However, in little over 18 months, 3 managers and an unsuccessful loan spell later, he seems to be surplus to requirements.

Now, unless I am totally wrong and my ‘decent footballer radar’ is way off he seems to be an ideal player to fit into Pochi’s system of high tempo, pressing, all-action, keep-ball football. The guy can run all day, is great at keeping possession, will press quickly better than probably anyone else we have on the books and also knows how to find the back of the net. He can fill in at a number of positions and systems; He is also young and will most certainly improve with time, quality coaching and support from us lot (the fans). He’s also a big personality with leadership qualities – he was the German U21 captain up until recently and that lot seem to know their football!! However his biggest quality for me is that he will give 100%% effort, 100% of the time and will fight tooth and nail for every ball each and every game. We don’t have many on the list below who will do that week in and week out.

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Now when you look at the long list of our midfielders….and it is long, it’s clear that two or three need be moved on, especially if we are looking to bring in Scheiderlein before the window ends. Whether that saga happens or not at least 2 of them need to be shipped out and when looking at the list below I would have three of four ahead of the boy Lewis in the queue to be sold.

 

Capoue, Sandro

Bentaleb, Dembele

Paulinho, Mason

Caroll, Holtby

Chadli, Townsend

Eriksen, Lamela

Lennon

The first two that scream out to me and who I believe are simply not good enough or who also don’t fit into Pochi’s system are Carroll & Chadli. As much as we all want little Tommy to make it big with us, we have to be honest and face up to the fact that the kid is too small, too weak and not up to it. Maybe the answer is to send him out on loan to a lesser Premier league team who will give him the game time that he needs, as well as some serious gym work to strengthen him up but I can’t see it, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that. Chadli on the other hand is most definitely big and strong enough but that’s about it. Out of all of the Not-So-Magnificent-Seven from last summer he is probably the most disappointing and ordinary out of our attacking midfielders. If we can find a club to take him and that he’s willing to leave for I will offer my services to drive him there myself.

The other two who I would be more than keen to shift off in front of Holtby and whom would both bring in decent money to re-invest in other positions are Paulinho and Lamela. Now I can already hear the screaming and tutting regarding Lamela but my gut feeling is his game is not suited to the Premier League. I hope and pray that I’m proven wrong as I know they will give him time after splashing 30 million of the clubs hard earned deniros on the kid. This season is huge for him and I wish him the best of luck, however I would have Holtby in my team ahead of him every time. Paulinho is a tricky one. He seemed to be just going through the motions last season and although he clearly wasn’t alone in that due to the demise under AVB and the nonsense under Timothy, whilst also adapting to life in London and the Premier League I believe he isn’t a Pochettino type player and if we could get our money back that we paid for him I think that could be put to better use for another centre back or striker.

Now I am not saying that Holtby is the best midfielder we have, nor am I even saying I would have him in our best eleven, but I am saying that I would rather have him in our squad than many others on the above list. I believe his work rate, his desire and his ability to play in a number of positions as well as his skill is worth keeping and I hope the Pochi sees that too.

Many of you may totally disagree with me over Holtby, as is your rite, but I feel that every club needs players with his type of attitude, commitment, drive and determination and our beloved club needs a few more just like him.

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