Nacer Chadli On Second Chance at Tottenham. Who Else?
By Logan Holmes
Nacer Chadli has spoken of getting a “second chance” at Tottenham but who else will get a second opportunity to prove themselves with Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino?
Last season was tough for Nacer Chadli who signed from FC Twente in the summer of 2013. Injury and limited opportunity in the team meant he had only 19 starts in his 32 appearances, scoring 5 goals in all competitions. His best display was probably in the away Europa League game against Benfica when he scored twice as Spurs almost pulled off a shock win in Portugal.
After being at the World Cup Finals with Belgium, he started the Europa League game in Cyprus and retained his place against Queen’s Park Rangers where he scored twice. He worked well in the midfield three with Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela as they inter-changed and he got forward into penalty area to support Emmanuel Adebayor. The Tottenham club website reported Chadli’s remarks, saying
"I am looking forward and with the new manager coming in, it has given me another chance."
The system didn’t go to plan against Liverpool but Chadli had an assist in Belgium’s 2 – 0 win over Australia last weekend and will be hoping to continue in the team at Sunderland on Saturday.
Second Chance for Nacer Chadli – Who Else?
Nacer Chadli has been given a second chance to prove himself at Spurs after talk during the summer that Spurs might be willing to sell him. Who else in the Tottenham squad will be given a second chance this season by Mauricio Pochettino?
Erik Lamela
Erik Lamela has made a good start under Pochettino and scored his first goal for Argentina last week. His can’t really be called a second chance as he never had a first opportunity to show his true form last season.
Vlad Chiriches
Vlad Chiriches had limited opportunity last season with Spurs, injury again restricting him to starting 22 games. He returned for the Limassol game at White Hart Lane and showed that he hadn’t lost his touch but the signing of Federico Fazio has increased competition in central defence.
Mousa Dembele
Can Mousa Dembele find himself a regular place in the Tottenham team? A regular throughout his first season, he struggled last year and was out of favour under Tim Sherwood. With his late return from the World Cup finals, he has yet to start a Premier League game but will he get a second chance especially with Spurs signing Benji Stambouli during the transfer window?
Paulinho
Eight goals from midfield in his first season at Tottenham but the Brazilian is looking for a second chance at Spurs to establish himself in Pochettino’s team. The new midfield signing adds competition but Paulinho has shown that he retains the ability to score with his goal against AEL Limassol and an assist as well. He now needs to find consistency and develop an understanding of his role in the team.
Andros Townsend
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His first opportunity at Tottenham came in the first half of last season but injury kept him out for time in 2014. Andros Townsend is in the England squad but is behind Eriksen and Lamela in Pochettino’s thinking at White Hart Lane.
At present, Townsend and Aaron Lennon appear to be on the outside and look set for appearances from the bench as their only chance to make a positive contribution.
Roberto Soldado
Roberto Soldado also had a trying season last year. He will find it equally difficult to get a second chance with Spurs playing a system which requires only one striker. At present Emmanuel Adebayor is the preferred choice so unless the Togolese international’s form dips or he is struck down with injury, Soldado could have another frustrating season restricted to midweek European and Cup games.
Of the players looking for a second chance under Pochettino who is most likely to make an impression with a regular starting place in the team?
At this point in time, it’s difficult to make a case for any of the players but as the season unfolds some of them will get that opportunity to re-establish themselves in the Tottenham team. Injury, loss of form or a change in tactics will bring them that chance or they will adapt their style of play so that it suits the new manager’s plans.
We’ll watch to see who makes it this season.