Bentaleb: ‘I would be a hypocrite to say that I would not like to be at Tottenham’

mawspurs · Feb 19, 2019

Remember back to the first season of the Mauricio Pochettino era at Tottenham Hotspur. Pochettino had to decide which of these players would be part of his future, and who would not.

Source: Independent

Buggsy61 · Feb 19, 2019

Will never forget that NLD back in 2015 when him and Ryan Mason were in central midfield and both ran themselves into the ground beating up the Woolwich midfield that was comprised of far bigger names to pave the way for Kane's two goals and the 2-1 win.
They were both like Jack Russells that day.

Gassin's finest · Feb 19, 2019

It was clear he had the talent and the potential, but there was always a little bit of a showboat in him... which is fine, but it sometimes led to a hospital pass or two. A shame, but they don't always figure it out in time. Another example of how if you put your faith 100% into Poch, he will reward you. But if you fight him, you're out.

Lilbaz · Feb 19, 2019

Is he considered homegrown? Can't remember how long he was with us. Must be about 3 years.

wrd · Feb 19, 2019

I was really gutted he didn't work out, was a big fan of him, he had a hell of a pass on him and he had a lot of tenacity which sometimes boiled over as evidenced by his breakdown of relationship with Poch. I remember he filled in at LB last game of the season vs Everton in Poch first season and he was quality there. He'd have been an ideal squad player right now.

Chedozie · Feb 19, 2019

He’s a good player, but good players aren’t good enough for us anymore.

Jenko · Feb 19, 2019

Sounds like the door may be open for a return someday.... Unlikely, but stranger things have happened...

chinaman · Feb 19, 2019

Think we can get him back for 50-60 million pounds?

rupsmith · Feb 19, 2019

I would have him back in a heartbeat. Always rated him - I actually always thought his ability on the ball could make him a more productive player than Dembele. Posted this back in 2015

I've always been impressed with Bentaleb. His first touch, positioning and quickness of ball rotation - exactly what that position requires - is what makes a big big difference to our play. He has a clear vision - watch how he looks up and around before he receives the ball. There were several instances yesterday where he would play it first time to either Eriksen or Mason or Dembele and one touch play would build quickly and at speed. The kid is 19 or 20 - he is a full international, shows tremendous positional maturity and dictates the tempo of our play very well indeed. He is one strong lad as well - looks like a 6' something God of War - Kratos. Great to watch.

Tim Sherwood gave him lots of chances to play and Bentaleb paid him back. Very unfortunate about the injury but the interview is a reflection of his intellect and maturity. Think it would really be good to have him back. Experienced full international with Champions League experience and at a fairly young age as well. Poch will really develop his game.

Edit:

I posted the above after this game.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30600753

davidmatzdorf · Feb 19, 2019

Lilbaz said:
Is he considered homegrown? Can't remember how long he was with us. Must be about 3 years.

The article says he was in England [with us] between 16 & 20, so yes.

Lilbaz · Feb 19, 2019

davidmatzdorf said:
The article says he was in England [with us] between 16 & 20, so yes.

Just checked he joined us december 2013 and left on loan in august 2016. He signed for schalke feb 2017. Can't remember if the loan counts against it or not.

Japhet · Feb 19, 2019

The problem was that he and Mason didn't have any defensive instinct and our CBs were often left exposed. Would have liked him a lot better with a proper DM alongside him. He went all Billy Big Bollocks after he got a much better contract though.

GutBucket · Feb 19, 2019

We can't guarantee him position in the first 11 but if he is willing to fight for it and if he improved his attitude then he would be a decent signing considering his HG status.

Shadydan · Feb 19, 2019

Japhet said:
The problem was that he and Mason didn't have any defensive instinct and our CBs were often left exposed. Would have liked him a lot better with a proper DM alongside him. He went all Billy Big Bollocks after he got a much better contract though.

Main issue was that our forwards didn't really press that well either which left Mason and Bentaleb exposed.

Japhet · Feb 19, 2019

Shadydan said:
Main issue was that our forwards didn't really press that well either which left Mason and Bentaleb exposed.

I wasn't the least bit bothered when he left but I'd actually quite like him back now. i think he'd fit in pretty well from a footballing perspective in a much improved team from when he was here.

Everlasting Seconds · Feb 19, 2019

I thought at his best he was hugely overrated here on SC, celebrated for the most mundane achievements and performances. He was of no more than pure back-up quality playing regularly for a while due to lack of other options. Predictable, boring and occasionally catastrophic, he was never destined for a continuous Spurs career.

Timberwolf · Feb 19, 2019

Everlasting Seconds said:
I thought at his best he was hugely overrated here on SC, celebrated for the most mundane achievements and performances. He was of no more than pure back-up quality playing regularly for a while due to lack of other options. Predictable, boring and occasionally catastrophic, he was never destined for a continuous Spurs career.

I do remember one game, I think it might've the league cup final we lost against Chelsea, in which he was magnificent. Tenacious, skilful, creative: he really looked the complete package. I was convinced he'd be lynchpin of our midfield for years to come.

However, he also had some awful games. I remember him repeatedly giving away the ball cheaply in midfield at the start of one season - perhaps the one in which he left - and us conceding a fair few goals because of his sloppiness.

I'm not sure what he's like these days or if he's good enough for us now, but I'm convinced there's a very decent player in there if he can live up to his potential.

Everlasting Seconds · Feb 19, 2019

Timberwolf said:
I do remember one game, I think it might've the league cup final we lost against Chelsea, in which he was magnificent. Tenacious, skilful, creative: he really looked the complete package. I was convinced he'd be lynchpin of our midfield for years to come.

However, he also had some awful games. I remember him repeatedly giving away the ball cheaply in midfield at the start of one season - perhaps the one in which he left - and us conceding a fair few goals because of his sloppiness.

I'm not sure what he's like these days or if he's good enough for us now, but I'm convinced there's a very decent player in there if he can live up to his potential.

Thing is, it is not hard to have a good game. A PL player, any player for a PL team that is, is good enough to pull off one singular good game. It probably happens to absolutely every player who plays for more than one season in the PL. But one good game does not make a good player. He was overrated, and the only reason I can find was not ability but age, and that he was from the academy.

Timberwolf · Feb 19, 2019

Everlasting Seconds said:
Thing is, it is not hard to have a good game. A PL player, any player for a PL team that is, is good enough to pull off one singular good game. It probably happens to absolutely every player who plays for more than one season in the PL. But one good game does not make a good player. He was overrated, and the only reason I can find was not ability but age, and that he was from the academy.

Yeah fair point, but while putting on one great performance like that in a massive game at the age of 19 against a very experienced midfield like Chelsea doesn't instantly make him a great player, it's not something many players that age are capable of. I never ever saw a comparable performance from any of his contemporaries (Mason, Carroll, Livermore, etc) and I think it's no coincidence that one is playing for a team in the CL knockouts and the rest are in the Championship (except for Mason for obvious reasons).

Geyzer Soze · Feb 19, 2019

Lilbaz said:
Is he considered homegrown? Can't remember how long he was with us. Must be about 3 years.

He played for France up to U19 & then quite notiriously (there) forsake them for Algeria instead

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