Tottenham Hotspur Links: Three Spurs Stars Who Have Disappointed this Season
Here’s the latest Tottenham Hotspur Links for you to enjoy.
On tap today are two lists going over Tottenham’s three worst players who haven’t performed well this season and three Spurs players who have looked good this season. Squeezed in the middle of both lists is another story regarding Japanese international Keisuke Honda and Tottenham’s involvement with the AC Milan player. It’s now time to get to the early afternoon news down below.
The three players who make up HITC’s list in their respective order is Kieran Trippier, Andros Townsend and Nabil Bentaleb. There isn’t really that much to say that is particularly good, for either one of these three Spurs players. In each one of Trippier, Townsend, and Bentaleb’s brief appearances it wasn’t as good as everyone would have hoped considering what they brought to their teams last season: Spurs for Townsend and Bentaleb and Burnley for Trippier.
RELATED: Tottenham Links: Paul Merson Convinced Spurs Finish Top Four
Kieran Trippier hasn’t been that bad, but he hasn’t found an even time share with Kyle Walker that Ben Davies and Danny Rose had to start off this season. At the very least, Trippier is getting Europa League starts so he’s still a part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. Andros Townsend has been hit or miss since last season in Pochettino’s offense so seeing him on this list isn’t surprising. Nabil Bentaleb has fallen off after a rough showing to start the year despite having a good season last term.
- Spurs and Everton on red alert for AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda
- [via Daily Express]
The 29-year-old Japan international who plays AC Milan since 2013, has long been a rumored transfer target to Tottenham this past summer.
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
Even more so when both clubs met during the 2015 Audi Cup preseason tournament hosted at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
During the summer transfer window, Tottenham’s transfer policy was discussed a bit and one interesting information that was revealed, would be players’ ages and if they fit with the team’s youth movement.
The oldest Spurs would look at age-wise was 27, so Keisuke Honda would automatically be ruled out by default. But, if Honda wants to leave this January because of a lack of playing time, then his value could be slightly lower for a “disgruntled” player if AC Milan’s head coach, Siniša Mihajlović, continues to not play the Japanese attacking midfielder.
“The situation is not easy,” Keisuke Honda told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “To be on the bench for so many matches is something that has never happened [to me before]. I’m beginning to understand how it feels to be on the outside.”
Seeing the likes of Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld make this list shouldn’t be surprising. However, this list should be redone and instead focus on Érik Lamela, Kyle Walker and Mousa Dembélé. Lamela, the 23-year-old Argentine international was subject to transfer rumors during the summer after not living up to many peoples’ lofty expectations from his two year stint with AS Roma in Serie A and the fact that he cost Tottenham £30 million in the summer of 2013. After Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that this season was a make-or-break year for the Argentinian winger, Lamela has gotten better in his overall game both on offense and defense. Which makes him Tottenham’s most improved player this season.
Next: Bentaleb's Return is Tricky for Tottenham
With Kyle Walker, his recent injury concerns were just that — concerns, which is why Kieran Trippier, Burnley’s right-back from last season was signed in the summer. Trippier accumulated 185 appearances for Burnley since joining them permanently in 2012 after a successful loan spell the year before. That consistent track record should have made him a starter this season. Instead, Kyle Walker improved and is starting instead, with injury concerns seemingly far behind the 25-year-old Walker.
Lastly, Mousa Dembélé used to be a former starter since transferring from Fulham in 2012, before Mauricio Pochettino took over and then got lost in the shuffle after Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason formed a good partnership last season. The Belgian midfielder would continue to get a healthy amount of substitution appearances, but not become a Premier League starter. This year, Dembélé reclaimed a starting role until injury took that away. Dembélé has now become a spot starter and super-sub player.