Official Spurs Thread

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

The point was that Dier will never become a dribbler. That's also the reason why it's Wanyama who takes up Dembele's responsibility when he's not available. Dier and Wanyama has done well together, but then the responsibility of carrying the ball in tight situations falls more on Eriksen, because it's not Wanyama's forte either.

Wanyama/Dier midfield is not a midfield that opens up teams that falls back. NLD is different, and these two alongside each other in tougher matches will always be a tactical option. You don't always need box-openers when opponents are primarily trying to win the match by having the ball.

So Dier is good, but in a first choice eleven he's fighting Wanyama for a spot, not for a spot alongside him.

[Brahvocado]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Dembele has been one of the best dribblers in Europe for a while now, his entire game is centered around it, while dribbling is probably one of Dier's weakest traits.

[stlducks]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Dembele has been one of the best dribblers in Europe for a while now, his entire game is centered around it, while dribbling is probably one of Dier's weakest traits.

I agree with that. I'm not saying Dier is going to be like Dembele, nobody is. But Id rather have Dier in midfield than CB. He proved this year CB is not his best position unless it's a back 3 and he has Aldy covering him.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

In a back 3, as Poch has been using it, the CD on the side the ball is always plays defensive midfielder. Both Alderweireld and Vertonghen is doing it regularly, same as Dier.

Ideally, in 4-2-3-1 there's either Wanyama or Dier in the defensive mid duo because they bring similar traits to the table. In 3-4-2-1 there's room for Dier at the back three in the same line-up as Wanyama.

Aside from shooting, heading and long passes, Wanyama brings more to the table both offensively and defensively in the midfield and Wanyama is also a favorite of Poch, obviously. Not sure how Wanyama solves being a central defender, though.

I don't really care where Dier wants to play and neither should Pochettino. If he's not playing where he's told to, with 100% commitment, he should be kicked out the door faster than he can say "NO!". Dier, of course, says he wants to play midfield because England needs his type of player and there's a WC coming up. In Spurs he's normally second fiddle to Wanyama in that spot, so what he should really be worried about is playing time at all if he wants any chance of an England call-up at all.

In other words, Dier's best shot at steady playtime and England call-ups is if Pochettino commits to 3-4-2-1 and has Dier as a third centre back with defensive midfield responsibilities when the team's in possession. The day Dembele doesn't deliver, for whatever reason, Spurs will buy (or groom) a replacement for him that has far different qualities than Dier brings to the table.

This predicament (for Dier) was purely brought on by Pochettino when he bought Wanyama, though. I actually wondered why he did that since we had Dier, but time has proven that Poch was better at picking Spurs players than me and everyone else, which is why he holds the job and we don't :P

I could be wrong, though...

[gopher_guy]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Whoa, the Spurs thread is active again!

[gopher_guy]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Since there seems to be a renewed interest in Spurs discussion...

Saw today that City are reportedly in talks for Kyle Walker. I know it's been reported that Walker and Poch had some kind of falling out, but I would hope that Levy won't sell to City unless it's for a pretty decent overpayment.

[stlducks]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Since there seems to be a renewed interest in Spurs discussion...

Saw today that City are reportedly in talks for Kyle Walker. I know it's been reported that Walker and Poch had some kind of falling out, but I would hope that Levy won't sell to City unless it's for a pretty decent overpayment.

I think Levy will over charge City for sure. I was on a Manchester City forum earlier today and it sounds like their fan base does not want him unless it's for £40m or less. Reports last week said Levy wanted £50m from City but would take £40 from Bayern.
But like always, those reports are probably all made up.

[ZeroTheHero]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Man United, Man City and Chelsea always has to pay overprice for English players, particularly from clubs just below them in the pecking order. The money doping of the two latter actually makes it justified on that alone in my book, but any league that let the top clubs pick the challengers clean will eventually lose something valuable in the process, so overpricing when selling to top clubs is justice all the same.

[KG]

Official Spurs Thread

Eh, we've (Chelsea) done our share of overspending and influencing the market but overpaying for homegrown/current EPL talent isn't something you could pin to us. Of our current regulars that were purchased from English top flight clubs (Cahill, Moses, Kante) we only spent semi-big on Kante and he turned around and won POY. His release clause was actually a bargain if we're being honest. Say what you want about us but we've been very astute in our transfer dealings over the past 5-6 years.

Granted this could change if we spend a ton on Lukaku but our books are in great shape.


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[ZeroTheHero]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Players with "sensible" release clauses isn't taken into calculation, as it doesn't matter who triggers it. But I get your point. My point was that Chelsea would also have to dig deeper than non English clubs aside from Real Madrid, Barcelona and a few others to secure Alli, Kane or any of the other up and coming English players who's tied to long term contracts, if the clubs were interested in listening to offers at all.

[gopher_guy]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

I'm starting to wonder if Sissoko will be markedly better this year.
Reports are that he looked really good in the friendly against Juventus yesterday. He will have chances, because we need him for depth. It's a World Cup year, gotta imagine he will be playing to get into the France squad.

It would be great for us, because we need guys who can cover for injuries and be effective. Then after this year we could sell him off and hopefully break even on him.

[stlducks]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

I'm starting to wonder if Sissoko will be markedly better this year.
Reports are that he looked really good in the friendly against Juventus yesterday. He will have chances, because we need him for depth. It's a World Cup year, gotta imagine he will be playing to get into the France squad.

It would be great for us, because we need guys who can cover for injuries and be effective. Then after this year we could sell him off and hopefully break even on him.

I thought that before too. He is someone who plays really well when he's motivated and the WC might be the perfect motivation for him.

I watched the Juve match, he looked better in that match then he did all last season which is a good sign.

[Brahvocado]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Once you start convincing yourself to keep Moussa Sissoko around you're in too deep

[stlducks]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Once you start convincing yourself to keep Moussa Sissoko around you're in too deep

Haha trust me, I'm not completely sold on him. If a good price comes I hope Spurs take it and sell him. BUT if there was ever something that could make him play well like he has in the past, it's motivation for the WC.

[Brahvocado]

Re: Official Spurs Thread

Haha trust me, I'm not completely sold on him. If a good price comes I hope Spurs take it and sell him. BUT if there was ever something that could make him play well like he has in the past, it's motivation for the WC.

https://youtu.be/0atwSaGoPCY