Tottenham Hotspur Links: Ryan Mason is Expected to be Sidelined for a While
Following a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at White Hart Lane, here’s today’s latest Tottenham Hotspur Links.
It’s another three story day and it starts off with some bad news. Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason appears to have injured his knee. It could be the same one that he initially hurt in his game-winning goal against Sunderland, which knocked him out for a month. This means Mason’s likely to miss another month or more if it’s the same knee that got re-injured. Also it depletes Spurs’ midfield once again.
Up next, Charlie Nicolas, the former Arsenal and Scottish international striker, believes that if Tottenham are desperate for money once their brand new stadium opens in 2018, Spurs will be contemplating a Harry Kane sale. Yes, Nicolas actually believes that will happen. And finally, it’s another ‘Tottenham wants Saido Berahino’ transfer rumor — as usual. Let’s get to the links below.
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- Ryan Mason is set to undergo another injury lay-off once again
- [via Daily Mail]
After Ryan Mason appeared to injure his knee (most likely re-injure the same knee that knocked him out for almost a month after his game-winning goal against Sunderland back in September 13), the 24-year-old English midfielder had to leave the match during the 56th minute and be subbed off for Érik Lamela.
This is a blow for Tottenham as they continue to lose important midfield players due to injury. While Tom Carroll can fill in at central midfield along with Mousa Dembélé, Mason was the go-to substitute for Dele Alli ever since he returned from his first knee injury. It may be another month before Ryan Mason comes back as he left White Hart Lane in a protective boot. Hopefully it’s not that serious.
For the purposes of not trying to bash a ludicrous idea, let’s attempt to look at Charlie Nicolas’ thought process for a moment. Speaking to Soccer Sunday (perhaps before today’s noon kickoff against Chelsea), Nicolas, the former Scottish striker, believes that Tottenham will be desperate for transfer funds once their brand new stadium is set to open ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League season.
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Unfortunately for the 53-year-old (soon to be 54 this December 30), under the hierarchy of Daniel Levy, Mauricio Pochettino and Paul Mitchell, the most money that these three men have spent to sign one player was Son Heung-min which went for £22 million.
Spurs’ new model to improve their squad is to first start from within by using their youth academy. Next, if they need another player who can help right away or for the future — and is more ready now than a youth prospect — they’ll sign that player (Kevin Wimmer) and still be okay in the end.
This Tottenham team has all of their bases covered from top to bottom with transfer dealings and developing the youth academy. And while there will be a cap which will limit the amount of money Spurs can spend since they have to repay their debts, Spurs have a core group built in place right now to combat that obstacle.
All 25 players on the current first team squad plus the rest in the youth academy is more than enough to help carry this team for the next few seasons. Besides, Harry Kane wants to win with Tottenham, Charlie Nicolas probably forgot that though.
- Tottenham is willing to offer Andros Townsend and cash for Saido Berahino
- [via the Daily Star]
At some point, this Tottenham and Saido Berahino rumor surely has to end right? Even Andros Townsend’s name popping up constantly and being linked to different teams is a bit tiring. But alas, here’s a two-for-one transfer rumor that happens to involve both players: Saido Berahino coming to Tottenham and Andros Townsend leaving Spurs.
“Spurs hope Townsend, recently involved in a bust-up with the club’s fitness coach Nathan Gardiner, will be the successful bait to land the Albion goal-poacher.”
This quote is hard to figure out. Does a football club realistically want a player who got into an argument with his fitness coach? To the point that it would help secure a player-plus-cash swap for a striker who is vital to West Brom? And, someone (Townsend) who has yet to consistently get enough starts to warrant a transfer due to a lack of playing time? It seems highly unlikely, honestly speaking.
Next: Tottenham Draws 0-0 Against Chelsea
So does this mean that teams are lining up for Diego Costa after throwing his bib at José Mourinho and missing? In any event, the sour mood that West Bromwich Albion chairman, Jeremy Peace, experienced over the summer won’t go away if Tottenham are still interested in Saido Berahino.
It’s best to assume that West Brom manager, Tony Pulis, may want Andros Townsend, but the Baggies chairman won’t offer Berahino in return. Meaning once again, Spurs should move on from this issue instead of forcing it.