Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Pochettino Has Initial Plans for Tottenham Loanee Ball

By Alexander Balano

BARCELONA,SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on during day one of the Tottenham Hotspur Barcelona Training Camp at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on January 25, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
BARCELONA,SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on during day one of the Tottenham Hotspur Barcelona Training Camp at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on January 25, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Not much has been said about one of Tottenham Hotspur’s young players who got loaned out last season, center-back Dominic Ball. The 20-year-old joined Mark Warburton’s Rangers side in the Scottish Championship and helped the Gers reach promotion while winning some silverware in the process.

Currently, Mauricio Pochettino’s central defense is already set in stone. Tottenham have the best starting center-back pair in the Premier League with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen playing alongside one another. With Kevin Wimmer the backup and Cameron Carter-Vickers waiting in the wings, Dominic Ball’s chances of making the the first team as a center-back are slim.

Related Story: Tottenham's Dominic Ball Believes Rangers Loan Will Help

Although Ball’s place with the first team seemed cloudy previously, that doesn’t seem to be the case now. As mentioned above, Dominic Ball would have a tough time cracking into Pochettino’s side as a center-back even if it is his natural position.

And while Cameron Carter-Vickers is still only 18 but plays like a veteran player who happens to have a teenager’s body. The alternative for Dominic Ball at making the grade in Spurs’ squad next season, involves some maneuvering.

Because he has dabbled in the holding midfield position before with Rangers last season, perhaps he could follow in Eric Dier’s footsteps and become a defensive midfielder and Dier’s understudy at the same time.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Dominic Ball of Spurs during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur U21 and Everton U21 at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on August 10, 2015 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Dominic Ball of Spurs during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur U21 and Everton U21 at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on August 10, 2015 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

It wouldn’t be a crazy proposition seeing as how that has already been done before to start the 2015-16 campaign with a center-back playing as a defensive midfielder and working out brilliantly.

Though, a change of position isn’t necessary just yet. For now, seeing how Dominic Ball does in pre-season according to the Belfast Telegraph is the first step in seeing how far Ball has progressed.

From the linked article, a source [who has no name] told the Press Association Sport that there could be competition in England for the 20-year-old center-back, with clubs trying to sign the Tottenham defender.

"“Dom ‘s going back to do pre-season with Spurs, if he comes back to Scotland on loan it will be with Rangers.”More from Hotspur HQStorybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s RicharlisonTottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivatedTottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield UnitedTottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield UnitedTottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help“I’m sure Rangers would take him back but Pochettino is going to have a look at him during pre-season and then discuss his options from there.”“However, it’s not certain he will come back to Scotland as there are a few clubs in England who would be interested in taking him next year.”"

With demand seemingly high for the young defender, Mauricio Pochettino is going to make sure that Dominic Ball’s final year on his current contract helps the Argentine manager decide if he should stay with Tottenham or go out on another loan to gain some more experience before making his final decision.

After making 30 appearances in all competitions for Mark Warburton’s side, 24 of them starts, Ball’s season-long loan spell has already given him plenty of first team opportunities. The Scottish game isn’t exactly like English football, but Ball did gain some form of experience.

Enough to justify a pre-season showing when Tottenham go on tour in Australia for the International Champions Cup.

Next: Palmero President Claims Tottenham Interested in Striker

Assuming that Dominic Ball doesn’t make it on Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for next season, the hope is that he goes out on loan, preferably to Rangers again as he has built a rapport with his teammates and coaches which should already bode well if ever he returns.

But at the same time, playing in the Premier League or League Championship will be much better. The one thing that hopefully doesn’t happen, is selling Ball too quickly because the center-back position is filled even though there’s an opening at defensive midfield just behind Eric Dier.

Home/Tottenham News