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Spurs’ Transfer Rumors: Andros Townsend Will Be Sold for £14 million

By Alexander Balano

Jul 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Andros Townsend (17) goes to take the shot that scores the winning goal against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Tottenham defeated Toronto 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Andros Townsend (17) goes to take the shot that scores the winning goal against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Tottenham defeated Toronto 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s the first time Spurs’ Transfer Rumors is a single entry with no other stories. But whatever, let’s get to this late news for the day.

According to the Telegraph, Spurs are intent on selling Andros Townsend but for £14 million only, and nothing less of that valuation.

For a winger who is partly surplus to requirements but also shoved himself off of the first-team after a small tiff with Nathan Gardiner, Tottenham’s fitness coach. Townsend has since apologized for his actions and taken it upon himself to play with Spurs’ Under-21 team to stay fit and be ready in case he’s given a chance by Mauricio Pochettino sometime during the second half of this season.

Of course, it would seem like these chances of earning appearances has simply left the 24-year-old due to Pochettino’s decision to not restore the England international back into the 18-man matchday squad.

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Now with Daniel Levy refusing to let Townsend leave on a loan deal, but rather a full-on permanent transfer, this is not only a lose-lose situation for Andros Townsend. But also a very confusing and infuriating opportunity for Spurs to recoup some kind of money on their out-of-favor winger.

Whatever ends up happening, the opportunistic approach if there ever was one, would be hard to justify if this situation continues throughout January. As in thinking that Townsend will be a backup for Érik Lamela due to Clinton N’Jie’s injury.

Because following Sunday’s (January 10) 2-2 draw against Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup, Nacer Chadli and Josh Onomah were the starting wide midfielders in Pochettino’s starting eleven.

There’s nothing wrong with seeing Chadli return to the starting lineup as he was the main left midfielder before suffering an injury. Instead, all eyes were on Josh Onomah for making another start, but also for playing out of position.

Yes, Onomah, an attacking midfielder was playing out wide right in place of Lamela.

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This isn’t new for Mauricio Pochettino to play players out of position in order to help provide cover if his team is lacking at some areas. Eric Dier comes to mind from this season and last season as well.

Now, obviously Andros Townsend should have gotten a start in this game due to Clinton N’Jie’s injury and Érik Lamela resting, plus Son Heung-min starting up top as the lone striker.

But, without playing much this term it’s hard to actually trust a player who isn’t fit yet — or up to Pochettino’s standards. So playing with Spurs’ second-team is the only way to go for the time being.

Although there’s a difference from Premier League teams to the reserve teams in the Under-21 Premier League, had Townsend actually gotten a start against the Foxes and performed poorly due to no game time since last appearing against Anderlecht in the Europa League back in October. He would have been criticized severely and someone else should have taken his place.

Granted, that never happened, but if it did though. Well, then it’s best to not bring Townsend back into the fold in the first place. At least not until he’s up to full fitness and/or there’s a major injury crisis going on with Spurs’ players being hurt.

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Therefore, starting Josh Onomah and giving him more appearances will save the club money to sign someone else or wait until N’Jie recovers. Same thing with Nabil Bentaleb. The Algerian defender just has to work his way back to full fitness so Tottenham won’t have to buy a defensive midfielder to complement Eric Dier.

It might seem like a crude solution but it works. So in all honesty, regarding the Andros Townsend situation of a £14 million permanent transfer with no loan deal can only mean one thing. And that is Daniel Levy pulling a Daniel Levy and doing something crazy that involves money. Namely, remaining committed to getting what he wants for a player that right now, isn’t worth £14 million.