Could Kaboul follow in the path of Woodgate?

Article by James Lingfield

Ever since signing for spurs in June 2007, Kaboul has been a valued member of the spurs outfit. Being admired for his on field strength and aggression, the French centre half will live on long in the memory of many a spurs fan for being the provider of moments like his headed winner at the emirates in 2010. However, being recently out of favour, fitness and form, will this injury spell the end of the big man?

Kaboul was signed form Ligue 1 side Auxerre. He had a lot of promise and spurs were more than happy to pay the fee believed to be around £8million. He failed to really settle and after making several costly mistakes, he not only lost his role as a starter, but was sold to Portsmouth during Juande Ramos’ summer ‘clear out’. Under then Portsmouth Manager Harry Redknapp, he evolved into a very well accomplished and well rounded centre back. Not only was he strong, aerially dominant and versatile, being able to play as a right back as well as centre half, but quite often grabbed himself a goal, like the net buster against West Brom in 2008.

Follow e-Spurs on Twitter! www.twitter.com/e_spurs
Follow e-Football on Twitter! www.twitter.com/e_footballnet

Unfortunately for Portsmouth, financial worries pushed their club almost to extinction. Being left no other choice, Portsmouth were forced to let go of their most valuable assets to balance their books. In January of 2010, Kaboul, along with Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar, was reunited with ex Portsmouth boss ‘arry Redknapp at Spurs, who was drafted in to patch up a demoralised spurs squad still aching from the Ramos era. In his first season back at the lane, he only appeared 10 times, mainly as a substitute. He got his first real chance when both Corluka and Hutton suffered injuries towards the back end of last season. He filled in excellently at right back and even assisted perhaps Tottenham’s most famous and important league goal, Peter Crouch’s against Manchester city which got us into the champions league.

Despite his consistent good form, it wasn’t until the next season that he really got his chance. A serious injury to Michael Dawson allowed Kaboul to play 33 times in the league, being partnered either by Gallas or Ledders. With some scintillating performances, he not only helped us to a second 4th place, being

cheated out of a champions league space by Chelsea, but dealt with the likes of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic in Europe. His excellent form was halted with a serious knee injury suffered against Fulham in the final game of the 2011/12 season left him sidelined for almost a year. Another spell of failed comebacks delayed his competitive return until Mid-August of 2013, almost 18 months after his original injury. Having not played a full ninety minutes for over a year and a half, will the Woodgate curse strike again.

Ever since his injury, the signing of Jan Verthonghen and the welcome return to form of Michael Dawson has left his future uncertain to say the least. Kaboul has gone from an athletic, powerful and strong presence that would terrify any striker, to a semi fit player whose contract expires at the end of the year. I believe that the signing of Vlad Chriches, a highly rated Romanian prospect, is AVB looking ahead to life without the big man.

Personally, I absolutely love Younes and I think it would be silly to let him go.However, AVB and the spurs book balancers will be more than happy to take advantage of a chance to lighten the wage budget that must have swelled severely with the big name additions this summer. Unfortunately, I think that it’s only a matter of time before Kaboul and Spurs go their separate ways.

By James Lingfield

© e-Spurs 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Spurs

Share on Google Plus