This has been my thinking as well. Even those quotes from Jose that Dan KP posted could be read in this light. I'm guessing it is the case that we'd be willing to let go of him if the right offer came in, but what club is going to make a bid that Levy would accept given Dele's form over the past two seasons?I do wonder if hawking him around Europe may be a shock tactic to pull Dele out of his comfort zone and get him snarling again, hungry for the battle on the pitch and not prancing around like he’s owed something. There is a great talent in there and it needs unlocking, if that happens elsewhere then so be it but if he turns it in again after realising he needs to pull his socks up and knuckle down then that’d be a real win.
Basically my thoughts as well. He was at his best in the inside left "half space" constantly switching with Kane and Eriksen. Our days of playing that way are long gone now and the only hope for him is as the most attacking of the 3 CM's in a 4-3-3 (with Højbjerg and Lo Celso covering for him defensively), but Ndombele clearly has a massive headstart on him in that role. I can't see Dele wanting to stick around as a "backup".I'm probably one of Dele's biggest supporters on here and think a lot of the criticism he gets is unfair.
However.
If we're going to play 4-3-3 or potentially even 3-4-3, I just don't know where he fits. He's not going to be a winger under Mourinho, and he hasn't really shown any signs of converting into a central midfielder.
I still believe he's a fantastic second striker who will score a lot of goals, but I've gotta be honest with myself and say I don't think that will be at Spurs under Mourinho anymore.
I think Mourinho has tried to fit Dele into the team but has decided he's not going to play traditional a free-roaming number 10 / second striker anymore and instead with 3 more natural central midfielders.
Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.And it's clear Mourinho isn't going anywhere anytime soon with the backing he's been given this window, so for me it's a real shame, but I just don't see it working out now.
I'm proper annoyed Grealish has signed a new contract at Villa because he would have been a perfect home-grown replacement.
Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.
Any other names spring to mind?
Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.
Any other names spring to mind?
Zaniolo's that kind of player isn't he?Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.
Any other names spring to mind?
I'm not sure, it's a real shame about that bad injury he picked up though. Big loss for them.Zaniolo's that kind of player isn't he?
Brooks?Not really home-grown options...
Cantwell at Norwich? Ramsey on loan from Juve? ?
Just anyone but Jesse fucking Lingard!
Brooks?
Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.Could see the money going towards Ings.
Yeah it's a tough call. I do agree that Dele doesn't fit in to this current Spurs team. But at the same time we haven't played fluid well executed attacking football for ages.
So whilst I agree that selling Dele makes sort of sense. At least for me it's a tougher call than how some of you describe it.
Anyway, if he's sold it can't be to balance the books. It must be to bring in real proven quality at say CB or ST. Otherwise I don't see the point.
Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.
(Plus Ings is 28 and would be far too expensive for a backup option).
Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.
(Plus Ings is 28 and would be far too expensive for a backup option).