Would King get in?

[LukaMotion]

Despite the disappointment of the result against Swansea there's a question i've been thinking about for a few weeks now. If all our current squad were fit, would Ledley King get in our first XI?

For me, Ledley is the best central defender I've seen play for us in my time as a spurs supporter; at least, that's been my opinion for over 10 years and it's one that i'm now questioning. Toby and Jan have grown into such a formidable partnership, while both still displaying their exceptional individual talents, that I now don't really see a way either of them could be justifiably dropped from the first XI.

If we're playing two at the back then, there's no space for Ledley King, and I would argue that with a fully fit squad, Dembele and Wanyama should be starting ahead of a third centre back (Poch might not see it that way).

So lets say we're playing 3 at the back, Ledley surely has to get in, right? But then there's Sanchez, who's made an excellent start to his Spurs career with some very solid performances, and Dier, who gives the team the flexibility to change shape mid-game with his all-rounder qualities.

So maybe it comes down to formation or maybe it would depend on the opposition but for the first time in my life I think I can say Ledley King would not get into my first choice XI.

FWIW, this is my selection:

Lloris
Aurier - Alderweireld - Vertonghen - Davies
Wanyama - Dembele
Alli - Eriksen - Son
Kane
​

For me, this just underlines how strong our current squad is, especially in the defensive department. So, would Ledley King get in your first XI?

 

[buttons]

He would get in, but i am not sure who he would replace, not in a two anyway. Until this season i'd have said Ledley and Toby would be the dream, but Jan seems to have improved again this season...so who knows.

 

[LukaMotion]

He would get in, but i am not sure who he would replace, not in a two anyway. Until this season i'd have said Ledley and Toby would be the dream, but Jan seems to have improved again this season...so who knows.

I would have agreed with you until mid-way last season, Jan would have been the one to make way, but overall his performances since January have been nothing less than exceptional. I'd say he was our best centre-back last season.

 

[DCSPUR]

a fun though experiment. Would put him in the middle of the three at the moment. That pace and ability to make a crucial interception or challenge would be invaluable.

 

[vicbob]

King must get in, I don't know where or how (drop Hugo if you have to), but I would love to see just how good he would have been with the quality of players we have now rather than some of the crap he had to play with in his day.

 

[riggi]

Would sol get in?

 

[talkshowhost86]

In a three he'd be absolutely magnificent. His ability on the ball, plus his pure pace and reading of the game, would make him perfect for the role Sanchez played against Dortmund.

 

[RickyVilla]

Would sol get in?

Pretty sure he's barred.

 

[Lilbaz]

Fully fit king would get in. Unfortunately for most of his career he was not fully fit.

 

[LukaMotion]

In a three he'd be absolutely magnificent. His ability on the ball, plus his pure pace and reading of the game, would make him perfect for the role Sanchez played against Dortmund.

I agree he'd be absolutely fantastic in that sweeper role, reading the game in front of him and acting as the last line of defence, but who do you drop then? Wanyama or Dembele? or one of the 3 behind Kane?

If Dembele is fit and on form he's our best centre-mid and could play for any team in the world IMO. Wanyama joined from Southampton, coming into a winning team and made it even stronger, something no-one thought he was capable of doing. Last season he was arguably one of the first names on the team sheet when fit. The 3 behind Kane are all match-winners, capable of changing a match in a moment. Dele may be slightly out of form at the minute but I would always rather have 3 behind Kane than 2.

 

[markiespurs]

No doubt Toby and Jan are top class defenders, but King, even though he was'nt fully fit throughout most of his career, was something special and would have to be a starter in either a back 2 or 3.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I agree he'd be absolutely fantastic in that sweeper role, reading the game in front of him and acting as the last line of defence, but who do you drop then? Wanyama or Dembele? or one of the 3 behind Kane?

If Dembele is fit and on form he's our best centre-mid and could play for any team in the world IMO. Wanyama joined from Southampton, coming into a winning team and made it even stronger, something no-one thought he was capable of doing. Last season he was arguably one of the first names on the team sheet when fit. The 3 behind Kane are all match-winners, capable of changing a match in a moment. Dele may be slightly out of form at the minute but I would always rather have 3 behind Kane than 2.

I personally think we can do without Dembele.

Great player yes, but in our set up we need pace on the ball either through running or passing, and I'm not sure Dembele actually delivers that enough most of the time.

But I may be biased because I'm a huge Harry Winks fan and would love to see him get more minutes.

 

[John48]

I'm surprised anyone would ask this question, because at his best I'd rate Ledley as our 2nd best CB in my lifetime. My No 1 would be England & a pairing of him & Ledley would have been awesome for me.

Verts & Toby are good & probably the best pair we've had for a good long while, plus Sanchez is a very good addition, but I'd still put Ledley & England in the mix with them.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Haven't voted because it doesn't have the option I would choose but yes, in place of any of them.

 

[LukaMotion]

I personally think we can do without Dembele.

Great player yes, but in our set up we need pace on the ball either through running or passing, and I'm not sure Dembele actually delivers that enough most of the time.

But I may be biased because I'm a huge Harry Winks fan and would love to see him get more minutes.

We could have done with him on Saturday IMO, i'd like to see Poch start him in a few games while Vic is out.

As for King, he was without doubt a special player and also a great leader, which may give him the edge over Toby and Jan, but the belgians seem to have a telepathic understanding. Both of them are now playing at the same level as Ledley reached IMO, albeit King had some outstanding individual performances where he single-handedly won us points.

 

['O Zio]

I'd say yes as a third CB. His talent was probably on par with Toby and Jan when they're at their best I'd say, however, his notorious injury record would count against him unfortunately. To play a back 3 regularly, we'd still need another player i.e. Sanchez because King would only be able to play 20 games a season. Jan and Toby would be the consistent pairing in either a 2 or a 3

If King didn't have his injuries though, naff me, a back 3 of Toby, King and Jan is frightening.

 

[kd2000]

Anyone who says king wouldnt be first choice ahead of anyone is either too young to remember how good he was or blinkered by short term thinking. Even unfit he was sensational

 

[Pimp_Spur]

he would be first choice all day everyday. the other 2 would be fighting it out for who had the honour of playing alongside King.

 

[mpickard2087]

Definitely. He'd get in as the 3rd centre back (Sanchez's role) and, though this really won't be popular, if you played a back four he'd also currently get in instead of a post-injury Alderweireld.

 

[oohaahedgar]

Ledley King is the best defender the club has ever had. He was the complete centre half and would be recognised as an all time great on the world stage if it wasn't for injuries. If you took the best aspects from our three centre halves you may get a player who was as good. Nearly.