Tottenham’s 25-Man Squad for 2012-13 Premier League Season

Tottenham have submitted their list of 25 players who have been included in their squad for the opening months of the 2012-13 season. Alterations can be made to the list following the January transfer window.

1. Emmanuel Adebayor   2. Benoit Assou-Ekotto   3. Gareth Bale   4. David Bentley   5. Sandro

6. Carlo Cudicini   7. Michael Dawson   8. Jermain Defoe   9. Mousa Dembele   10. Clint Dempsey

11. Yago Falque   12. Brad Friedel   13. William Gallas   14. Heurelho Gomes  15. Tom Huddlestone

16. Jermaine Jenas   17. Younes Kaboul   18. Aaron Lennon   19. Jake Livermore   20. Hugo Lloris

21. Kyle Naughton   22. Scott Parker   23. Gylfi Sigurdsson   24. Jan Vertonghen   25. Kyle Walker

Thoughts on the composition of the squad:

• The squad contains the names of a number of players whom every supporter had expected to leave the club during a number of the past transfer windows – David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Heurelho Gomes. From the preseason preparations there was nothing to suggest that they had a role to play at Tottenham under Andre Villas-Boas
• It contains four goalkeepers so it would appear that none of them will be going out on loan to lower league clubs in the coming days as had been suggested in the press over the weekend.
• Eight of the squad had been considered to be available for transfer or linked with other clubs during the summer if an acceptable offer had been received – Gomes, Cudicini, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Jenas, Bentley, Jermain Defoe and Wiliam Gallas.
• Yago Falque is the only player listed who has no Premier League experience for Tottenham, apart from the two deadline day signings, Hugo Lloris and Clint Dempsey.
• Other young players who are Under-21 are also available for selection – including Tom Carroll, Steven Caulker, Adam Smith, Andros Townsend and Harry Kane.
• There are only two recognised experienced strikers – Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe although Dempsey and Kane would also be available.
• The squad includes 4 goalkeepers, 3 full backs, 4 central defenders, 12 midfield players and 2 strikers. A number of players can cover in a number of positions – Gareth Bale could play at left back if necessary as could Jan Vertonghen.
• While there are twelve midfield players, the central midfielders are similar in style with the squad lacking an obvious creative player to replace the departed Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart.
• Tottenham’s problem last season was the lack of depth in their squad as Harry Redknapp consistently selected the same players each week. Andre Villas-Boas could could have a problem again as the squad that has been submitted for the first five months of the season doesn’t provide many options for rotation.