The Not-So Magnificent Seven

Since I made my first foray in writing articles about Spurs, I have had a number of ideas about what article to write next.  Every time I thought I had a new idea, things would change and the article would seem dated.  Since this piece is going to focus on our current squad, we may have 2-3 new players by the time it shows up on the site.

Recently, Pochettino has come out and said we need to get rid of 7 players to get down to the magic number of 25.  (This excludes our most recent signing, DeAndre Yedlin since he finally signed the day I wrote this piece.  I’ll discuss him further on.  Did I mention how things change pretty quick during the silly season?) Even more recently, we found out there are 11 players up for sale if the right suitor, i.e. the club with the right amount of money, comes along.  So, who are these “not-so-magnificent seven”?  This will surely be contentious, but here’s my opinion by positions.  Since there are a number of players who can play in different positions, I’ve put them in the position where I think they best serve the team.

Goalkeepers (3)-This is the easiest, isn’t it?  Hugo Lloris starts, Michael Vorm is the backup and Brad Friedel continues to focus on his coaching badges while wearing a goalkeeper jersey.  Being an American, I have always loved Friedel, so I’m glad he will be joining the coaching ranks and is staying withTottenham.

Fullbacks (5)-First, let’s look at who we have: Walker, Rose, Naughton, Assou-Ekotto, Fryers, Davies, and Vertonghen (he loves playing on the left, doesn’t he?).  Alright, all joking aside, here we go.  Walker is injured, but he is surely in.  Since he is injured, it means Naughton is now indispensible (never thought you would hear that, huh?).  I think Davies will come through and Rose will stick around for Europa League and cup games.  That leaves only one other spot.  I give it to Fryers due to his versatility.  Farewell Assou-Ekotto, you were entertaining, but not always for the right reason.  Much like the cyber geeks living in a basement hoping to date a model, let’s take what we can get for Ekotto.  On a personal note, I will miss seeing the hair, which is a line I have been saying now for about 10 years.  Since Yedlin will be out on loan, he won’t be playing with us this season.  I do look forward to a Walker/Yedlin battle next year.  Since I am a homer, I hope Yedlin is able to take Walker’s place.

Center halves (4)-Again, we have Kaboul, Vertonghen,Chiriches, Dawson, and Dier.  Vertonghen and Dier are the only sure bets.  Vertonghen because he is proven and Dier because I hope we did not just purchase him for the fun of it.  For the other three, I guess I would keep Chiriches and Kaboul and sell Dawson.  I like Dawson, he’s been good, but his age is just getting to him and his lack of speed was found out numerous times last season.  It’s time.  Now, if we get Musacchio, I say we sell Kaboul.  While physically imposing, let’s face it, physically intimidating, he’s just too prone to injuries.  Let’s see how much we can get for him and wish him well.

Defensive midfielders (3)-This is a difficult one.  Do we keep Sandro or Capoue? I am not in the camp that thinks Sandro walks on water. While he can be very good, I say we let Sandro go simply because we don’t see his “greatness” enough.  He gets injured too often.  Personally, I get knots in my stomach watching him play because he can’t go more than 2-3 games without getting a card.  So, bye-bye Beast, we’ll miss you on social media.  Now, we keep Capoue and Bentaleb and send Mason out on loan.  I think Mason has potential, but he’s not quite there yet.  I really hope we find a Premier League team to take him.  If, by some chance, we do get Schneiderlein, then I think we send Bentaleb out on loan.  I like him and I think he has more potential, but Capoue is just slightly more established at this point.  That being said, it would not surprise me if Pochettino decided to go with Bentaleb because I think he would fit the coach’s pressing style a little better.

Midfielders (5)-Lennon, Lamela, Townsend, Chadli, Paulinho, Dembele, and Carroll.  Wow, where do we start?  Well, let’s rip that band-aid off right now.  Being a Yank, I am a relatively new Spurs fan and fell in love with seeing Bale and Lennon fly down the side.  While Bale has flown the nest, Lennon’s flight has gone from an F-18 to a crop duster.  Again, I like the guy, but it’s not the same Lennon he was.  Let’s sell him and move on.  Dembele is serviceable, but not good enough for this squad.  Sell.  Finally, the enigma that is Carroll.  Now, in full disclosure, I have not seen a lot of Carroll over the years.  I understand from other sources he is the English Iniesta that Spain wishes they had and I have heard him spoken of in reverent tones when he is lovingly called, “Tommy-[EXPLETIVE]-Carroll” by drunk Northeasterners, but I haven’t personally seen it.  Let’s loan him out one more year and hope he really improves because Iwould like to see him reach his full potential.  If Guarin or Depay, or another midfielder comes in, it should be at the expense of Chadli.

Attacking midfielders (2)-Eriksen, Holtby.  Eriksen is a no-brainer, in other words, a Tim Sherwood guy (too soon?).  I think Holtby will work well under Pochettino’s system and he is eager to prove himself in the Premier League, as long as it is not at Craven Cottage.

Strikers (3)-Adebayor, Soldado, and Kane, because there is no one else.  Can we please get another option? Now for a more controversial pick, if we somehow get another striker, I think we offload Adebayor. Yes, I know he scored some goals for us and it was mean old AVB’s fault Ade was left training with the kiddos, but I just don’t think he is consistent enough over a period of a season.  He drifts in and out of games.  I know his wage bill is very high, but if we can, we sell him in a heartbeat.

So, in summary, my not-so-magnificent seven come down to Assou-Ekotto (sell), Dawson (sell), Sandro (sell), Mason (loan), Lennon (sell), Dembele (sell), and Carroll (loan).  Yedlin is already going on loan.  If we get new players like Musacchio, Schneiderlein, Guarin/Depay, and an unnamed striker we will get at the closing minutes of the transfer day deadline, then the following will have to be shown the door: Kaboul (sell), Chadli (sell), Bentaleb (loan), and Adebayor (sell, sell, sell).

Since this is all so clear cut, I doubt I will see many comments.  Almost as much as I doubt Mourinho will be in the press much this season.  Come on you Spurs.

One last thing.  Prediction for this week’s match: Tottenham 3 – West Ham 1.  It’s going to be a long, long season for the Hammers and a very, very short one for Big Sam.

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know