The Afro To Go? - Spurs LB Dilemma

For the past few years, we Spurs fans have learnt to love Benoit Assou-Ekotto for his personality as well as his on the field performances. He is quite the interesting character off the pitch with his wacky Twitter messages (LOL), his candid interviews that show us how although his job is really cool to us, it is still a job, and his commitment to the restoration of the Tottenham area after last year’s riots. For these reasons, many fans find it hard not to like BAE.

Unfortunately, this term has seen his playing time dwindle and his lack of form has led to some high profile mistakes and general poor play. Many times this season he has been seen as the weakest link in a backline that requires much concentration and as we all know, concentration is not one of Benny’s strengths. AVB plays a specific system and Benny needs to realise that his mental lapses expose major holes that can be exploited. That being said, I still think there is room for him at the club at least for the short term as I think he can help us finish the season strong and help us gain access to the promised land of the Champions League. What AVB thinks though, may be a little different and ultimately, Andre is the one who makes the decisions.

As someone who stays up on rumours and other football related gossip, it seems that we are ready to offload Benny and start the search for a new left back. Of course this being Spurs, we are linked to everyone in the world who has ever played in this position, but to save time, we will look at the few who would actually fit into Tottenham and AVB’s master plan.

Danny Rose

Yes, the “on his premier league debut” man who helped break Le Arse’s dominance over us with an absolute belter (click here to see the goal) is now a left back, and a pretty good one at that. He has been on loan at Sunderland this past year, where he has earned plenty of plaudits for his defensive and offensive skills. Many Sunderland fans have spoken of their desire to keep him and although he has stated that he is happy at Sunderland, if he was given the choice of being the starter at Spurs or stay with the Black Cats, he would more than likely return to London. I have watched Mr. Rose numerous times this past season and I have to agree with the majority of Sunderland supporters that he is a very capable left back who brings power and speed to the game, two traits we love at Spurs. I can see him returning to Tottenham and being a starter if Benny was to leave, but do we need to find a bigger name to do this job? I’m sure Levy would love to keep Rose and use him as our first choice LB as he’s already on the books, but is that what AVB wants? He is definitely talented and should be considered a strong contender.

Danny Rose

Alvaro Pereira

The Uruguayan left back who now plays for Inter Milan after his summer switch from Porto became the big name that he is today when AVB was leading the Portuguese club to the treble and an undefeated season. He is comfortable playing as a left sided midfielder as well so we know that the kid can attack. Also, you don’t go a whole season undefeated if you have poor defenders so it is safe to assume that this boy has bags of talent on both sides of the ball. I have seen him a few times while watching Serie A and have been impressed, but not overly amazed by his abilities. This is not a slight against him and I’m sure if I was to see more of Pereira, I would agree that he is a good player. Does AVB want a reunion with him and will Inter sell him after only acquiring him less than a year ago? We will know this summer.

Alvaro Pereira

Aly Cissokho

 

This is a man who has been linked to Spurs for close to three years, even when Benny was seen as a top 5 LB in the Premier League. Speed, power and technical ability are all rolled into one beast of a man who is now a full French international. Having transferred to Valencia from Lyon, it would be strange that he could be available again so soon but as the majority of Spanish clubs are debt ridden and need to sell to balance the books, he could be available for less than what he actually worth. He was part of the Lyon squad that made it to the semi-finals of the 2009 Champions League and is still regarded as one of the best left backs in the world. Aly could definitely fit well into our squad and his link up play with Bale could be incredible to watch as they both possess an inhuman amount of stamina to wear down the opponents.

Aly Cissokho

Final Thoughts

 

Of these three options, I would prefer Cissokho as he is younger and can be bought for very little due to Valencia’s financial woes but I would not have a problem with any of the three choices. All of these players could fit into our squad as AVB demands a whole lot of concentration and fitness, two things that Benny has had little of this past term. Would I be sad to see the afro go? Oh hell yeah, but would it be the end of the world? As long as one of these three guys show up, I think we will be fine come next term.

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