With Gareth Bale’s imminent departure from Tottenham for a reported £86 million, it seems that Andre Villas-Boas is stacking up on quality players. Most of the new additions are players of high caliber who deserve a good run in the first team. With massive upheaval of the squad, it was only a matter of time until players who underperformed from the previous season where put under scrutiny. Clint Dempsey, Steven Caulker, Tom Huddlestone, William Gallas and Scott Parker have all been deemed surplus to requirements and have moved on from the club, and many more are expected to part ways with the Lilywhites. Gylfi Sigurdsson is one of those players, and here are a few reasons why it would be best for the Icelandic midfielder to complete a move.
Increased Competition
Last season, Sigurdsson’s main competition came largely from the formerly mentioned U.S. international Clint Dempsey. With the winger moving to Seattle Sounders, it would seem that Sigurdsson would have less of a worry about losing his position. However with new arrival Nacer Chadli, reported arrival of Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela, and an in-form Andros Townsend and Lewis Holtby, he may not be able to get as many games as he would have previously hoped for. Sigurdsson has certainly shown fans flashes of brilliance since his arrival, but those moments may not have come often enough to save him from being transferred.
First Team Football
Even if Sigurdsson stays at Tottenham Hotspur next season, with the amount of players in a similar position as him, the Icelander will not be getting too much first team action unless he drastically improves in form. One of the main reasons players transfer clubs is that they want more game time and less of the bench, and this case could be no different. He spent a lot of time last season playing second fiddle to Dempsey, and he may not want that role again.
Loss of Position
It is widely expected from AVB to change the 4-2-3-1 formation that he has been using recently into a 4-3-3. This change would altogether abolish Sigurdsson’s first choice position, playing right behind the striker. He may play well deeper or out wide, but he would probably prefer to play in his favoured position and a move to a different club may allow him to have that position.
Financial Motivations
Sigurdsson is unlikely to have a major upgrade in his wages if he decides to move to a club of lower stature, so this is mainly a reason for the club to let him go. Gareth Bale’s forthcoming move to Real Madrid is certainly an injection of some serious transfer fees; however replacing him has cost the club a large amount of money. Andre Villas-Boas looks like he’s playing Career Mode on Fifa on amateur with the talent he’s bringing in, and offloading a rotation player like Sigurdsson could be another good move for the club considering they bring in a reasonable amount of compensation.
New Challenge
Sometimes it’s just best for players to join new clubs. The Icelander performed brilliantly on loan at Swansea and ever since he joined Tottenham his career has stagnated somewhat. Maybe a permanent transfer is just what this player needs to recover his form and become the player everyone expected him to be when snubbing Liverpool for Spurs.