Spurs Left-wing Options: Solving a New Dilemma

What has become obvious in the last few injury-ravaged weeks is that, without Lennon, Spurs desperately lack width; as a team who are renowned for their pace and devastation on the counter-attack, Tottenham’s current wide options are disappointing. In fact, with Bale through the middle and just Sigurdsson or Dempsey out wide we lack influence from the left-wing worse than a Thatcherite government. It’s an interesting situation because a position that was so recently our strongest has become a weak point, void of threat, that allows the opposition’s full-back free reign. So here are four possible players to fill the void next year; while the first three are more speculative, the fourth is almost nailed on:

Stocker or Salah

Two players that Spurs fans will likely still be sick of the sight of; Basel’s seemingly endless and fatigue-free stream of players beginning with S gave the Tottenham defence no end of grief over two legs in the Europa League encounter. 24 year old Valentin Stocker’s consistent appearances for his home team have earned him 14 international appearances with 3 goals already to his name. While the Swiss player is reaching an age that full-potential should be fulfilled, Mohamed Salah, at just 20 years of age, is perhaps a more promising prospect. His movement made a mockery of the seasoned Premier League defenders just a few weeks ago and will hopefully be able to repeat this feat on Thursday. His background is interesting; along with many other Egyptian players he must have believed his career under threat after the Port Said stadium riot of early 2012 that led to the cancellation of that years’ Egyptian Premier League. However, Basel cleverly (and perhaps slightly manipulatively) arranged a mid-season friendly against the Egyptian youth team, scouting Salah as the pick of the crop.

Both players would be relatively cheap and what they lack in blockbuster appeal, they make up for with pace, confidence and high work-rates. Furthermore, the pair are both natural left-footers and would provide a true threat from the sinister side of the field, either would be a very decent squad player for rotation.

Fischer
 

What list of potential transfers is complete without an Ajax academy star? At just eighteen years of age, the term ‘starlet’ might be more suitable to describe this prospect. Though a recent flood of newspaper reports have linked Spurs with a move for Christian Eriksen, the Dane would likely have to slot in the attacking-midfield role behind the striker, a position that is already over-populated by the likes of Bale, Sigurdsson and Lewis Holtby. His compatriot Viktor Fischer however, is more Versatile and would be just as happy if not more so, out on the left-wing. For those who haven’t witnessed his talents, the following compilation is a decent introduction:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9HXnHYJzyc

Schürrle
 

Reports that ‘Leverkusen forward André Schürrle, 22, is set to join Chelsea for £20m’ may seem disheartening, but there could be reassurance taken in the fact that no bid has yet been made; perhaps he is surplus to the Russian’s requirements? Fresh-faced and bright-eyed like so many of his fellow young Germans, Schürrle is a rare product of the talent cornucopia that has not yet been snapped up by a Bundesliga giant. He is incredibly adept at cutting in from the left and taking long-shots with his favoured right-foot; therefore, he would fit perfectly as a left forward in AVB’s beloved 4-3-3 formation. Close friends with Lewis Holtby as you may, (or may not depending on your comprehension of German) be able to tell from the following interview:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wvvR6HnvII

Schürrle is only really an option in the tragic event of the Welsh Wonder’s sale, where the money would be made available for replacements. This option is largely fantasy, but wouldn’t it be nice to hijack Chelsea’s high-profile transfer?

Townsend
 

Andros Townsend is currently outshining big-money buy Junior Hoilett for QPR, with an equal goal return (2) in less than half the games. Indeed, if there ever was a way of establishing yourself in the premier league, it’s probably by doing something like this in the midst of a relegation battle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgI_l_-odxM

The best part is that he is a proper old-fashioned winger, with bags of pace, the ability to beat a man (as displayed 14 times against Wigan) and produce a decent cross – perhaps why ‘Arry is so keen on him. The man is basically a tall Aaron Lennon, what’s not to love? Though in all honesty, he is very young and still developing, he is capable of playing on either wing and so may find himself as a very capable back-up for Lennon and whichever elusive left-winger we purchase. To be continued..

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