Article by Harvey Simpson @Hotspur_Huddle
As the demanding Christmas football period is now upon us, people are beginning to turn their heads to the possible impact the January transfer window could have. Tottenham have generally been inactive in the January window with only 4 players arriving during the winter window since 2012 (Zeki Fryers, Lewis Holtby, Dele Alli and Shilow Tracey).
This outlook has been heavily criticised by fans who feel that January additions would give the club the energy to power up the table in the latter stages of the season. It is well-known that Harry Redknapp became frustrated at Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity and in ‘A Love for the Lane’ (by Chris Slegg) he revealed that he felt that Spurs would have gone on to win the league in 2012 had the club been more active in pursuing transfer targets in the winter months. The club brought in Ryan Nelson and Louis Saha and after spending the majority of the season in 3rd, the club slipped down to 4th and missed out on Champions League football due to Chelsea’s triumph in the UEFA Champions League.
It has been reported by several sources that Spurs are seeking to bring in an attacking midfielder to support Kane, with Wilfried Zaha and Ross Barkley being the rumoured candidates, and I believe that Barkley will be the most likely to arrive at White Hart Lane if Spurs are to bring in an attacking midfielder this January.
It was revealed this week by Squawka that Spurs are keen on bringing in Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha following a failed attempt during the summer. Zaha is reportedly enthusiastic at the opportunity of joining Spurs following a phone conversation held with Pochettino during the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old recently switched international allegiances from England and to the Ivory Coast, the nation of his birth, having won 2 England caps under Roy Hodgson. However, despite breaking into the England national team, he has failed to hold onto his place in the squad, and in 2014, his attitude was questioned by player turned pundit Alan Shearer. Speaking of one of Zaha’s appearances off the bench, he said his lack of urgency and energy was ‘concerning’, indicating his potential absence of work ethic.
This would come as a major concern for Pochettino who prioritises a high press and demands exceptionally high fitness standards from his players. Furthermore, Spurs are essentially seeking to sign a player who can bring goal threat from the midfield area.
Despite picking up the Crystal Palace player of the season for 2015-16, his lack of end product was evident. In the Premier League last season, Zaha only grabbed 2 goals and 1 assist from 34 appearances, perhaps signalling that he isn’t the correct type of player Spurs are pursuing.
Conversely, the younger Ross Barkley appears a better option for Spurs. Whilst Zaha was being criticised for his lack of work ethic in 2014, Barkley was with the England squad for the Brazil World Cup having shone in that season’s Premier League.
Neither player has won a trophy as yet but at 23 years old, Barkley does have a good level of experience having played in the Premier League since 2011 (plus being with the England squad for four years) whereas Zaha has played much of his football in the Championship and has very little international experience.
Whereas Zaha does possess a lack of ‘end product’, Barkley was fruitful in front of goal last season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions and began this season with the same ambition, netting a free-kick against Spurs in the first game of the Premier League season. Barkley has often been described as a player for the future, with Xavi stating he could eventually sign for Barcelona and then-England boss Roy Hodgson praising his ‘pace and power’ as well as his ‘excellent technique’.
Although he could potentially cost more than Zaha, perhaps Spurs should take this opportunity. The club can be criticised for its unwillingness to buy Premier League talent and this is particularly relevant in the attacking midfield positions with Clinton N’Jie and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou both struggling to adapt having made the move from France.
We also know that Pochettino loves nurturing young, English talent into stars and with Ross Barkley still relatively young at 23, perhaps we shouldn’t expect Spurs to launch a bid for the Everton player over Wilfried Zaha this January.
Do you agree? – would you sign Ross Barkley over Wilfried Zaha? Should Spurs spend the extra £10 million on Barkley instead of the cheaper option of Zaha? Or shouldl the club turn their attention to other potential signings? Let me know in the comments section below or send me a tweet @Hotspur_Huddle
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Would rather have Barkley myself, maybe we could swap sissoko? Then spend the money that we would save from that and sign a winger like Quincy Promes or Bruma? Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteBarkley is over rated and not worth £35m/ Zaha @£25 is much better value. Plus we need a wide player not another central midfield player. I don't understand the level of criticism aimed at Sissoko. I agree he is not worth £35m but like Lamella they don't set the transfer fee. Sissoku joined late with no pre season and is just starting to show some form. If Poch can get anything like the performance Sissoko gave at the last Euros he will be a great player. I think part of the problem he is being used as a wide player but he is better in the middle.
ReplyDeleteTo me Spurs should have bought Maine, he was the missing link. Is there anyone else available anywhere near as good as Maine?
Not sure about Barkley but after attending both the Leicester and Hull matches got to agree we need a fast attacking and goalscoring winger. Alli is off the boil but Eriksen seems to be out of his blip and driving forward. Harry Kane got virtually no service and his threat was nullified. I liked the look of Leicester winger Gray the sort of player Poch could really bring on.Hoped Nkoudou was the winger we needed but doesnt seem to get many minutes. New signings could be paid from Carroll Vorm and sorry but I dont rate Jannsen as the pace is too quick for him but he is a real tryer.
DeleteBarkley's a good player but he's too similar to Alli. Buying him will have the same impact on Alli as Wanyama's arrival has for Dier. Zaha's also a good player, but do we need another wide player when we don't really play with wingers and already have the best pair of attacking full backs in the League to provide width?
ReplyDelete