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Player Watch: Victor Wanyama

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
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http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ma-to-be-tempted-away-this-summer-sky-sources

Southampton are anticipating Victor Wanyama to be tempted away from the club this summer, according to Sky sources.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder was understood to be a transfer target for Tottenham last August but no bid was made due to the Saints' refusal to sell.

Relations between Spurs and Southampton are understood to be difficult after the north London club swooped to sign Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid last summer, while Southampton believed they already had a deal in place to sign to Belgium international.

The Kenya international has had an excellent season for Saints, making 35 appearances, and was superb under Mauricio Pochettino on the south coast before the former Espanyol boss moved to manage Tottenham in 2014.

And Wanyama, who joined Southampton from Celtic in a £12.5m deal in 2013, is about to move into the final year of his contract, having failed to sign a new five-year deal that was offered last September.

ky sources also understand that Southampton are anticipating striker Graziano Pelle could agitate for a move, after the 30-year-old scored 14 goals in 36 appearances this season.

Southampton want to add a right-winger to their squad and also have possible replacements lined up should they lose Wanyama or Pelle.




Not a massive fan personally, seems a bit reckless and gets a few red cards. That said he is a beast and you could see his value to the squad for stuff like away games in the CL and other big games. Been interest before but now SCBC may actually be willing to sell. Ties in with players Poch has worked with ITK too. Mason replacement?
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
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Never understood why he is rated so highly.
He was excellent against us at the Lane. Ate up all the space infront of the beck four and gave our creatives no space to work in, won all the physical battles. I'm not sure he's ideal, in terms of receiving the ball in tight spaces, for a front foot team like us, who don't sit deep, but would certainly give us that physicality in the centre of the park we miss so much when Dembele is out.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
Difficult one this. He'd be good competition for Dier I suppose, but I've had nightmares about a scenario where Dembele is out and we play Dier and Wanyama in the centre at home to Burnley. He's 25 soon as well.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
Difficult one this. He'd be good competition for Dier I suppose, but I've had nightmares about a scenario where Dembele is out and we play Dier and Wanyama in the centre at home to Burnley. He's 25 soon as well.

Haha just thought the same! However if competition picks up in the forward areas, say Batshauyi and a WF coming in, I could see Alli/Eriksen alongside the DM in games like that...

I think the Mikel comparison is decent, drafted in for tactical reasons where we need to be more resolute.
 

THOWIG

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,499
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He was excellent against us at the Lane. Ate up all the space infront of the beck four and gave our creatives no space to work in, won all the physical battles. I'm not sure he's ideal, in terms of receiving the ball in tight spaces, for a front foot team like us, who don't sit deep, but would certainly give us that physicality in the centre of the park we miss so much when Dembele is out.

Offers nothing from an attacking perspective?
 

coy-spurs1882

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
3,989
10,442
He was excellent against us at the Lane. Ate up all the space infront of the beck four and gave our creatives no space to work in, won all the physical battles. I'm not sure he's ideal, in terms of receiving the ball in tight spaces, for a front foot team like us, who don't sit deep, but would certainly give us that physicality in the centre of the park we miss so much when Dembele is out.
Because we were so shit in that game
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
Offers nothing from an attacking perspective?

If we would want him as a Dembele cover then I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole.

However as Dier competition/cover I think there is some merit to it, especially if it's a cheapish deal due to the contract situation.

I'm thinking a DM (also frees Dier as Toby cover if needed) and then Alli dropping back to cover Dembele if out could be the way to go. Obviously I hope the ITK is referring to Schneiderlin instead but there is some logic to Wanyama.
 

not_tenth-again

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2009
2,599
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Not for me... just a bit too agricultural for my liking. He destroys play but I doubt his ability with the ball at his feet. If we're too improve we need someone who can promote the play quickly and effectively. I just don't think that's him
 

HoltbiusMac

ScroobiusMac
Jun 25, 2013
817
2,222
I thought last summer we didn't need him at all and needed somebody more dynamic on the ball to come in. However, having seen just how effective Dier has been in improving our defensive structure I'm actually much keener on signing somebody like Wanyama who allows us to maintain that system. He holds his position and does his relatively simple job well but thats what we need. Also allows us to go ultra-defensive in Europe if we pair him with Dier in CM. Plus he's played plenty at CB for Celtic so should be fine dropping into the 3 like Dier does and covering at CB if we have a massive central midfield crisis.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Offers nothing from an attacking perspective?
But then has Dier this season? If we're going to play the same way, I don't mind the midfielder who drops back being somewhat limited. I'd rather we found someone who could do that job and be progressive on the ball, but there aren't many of those around. William Carvalho perhaps, but I don't know whether he's realistic.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
Go back and watch Mason dominate Wanyama in our game last October.

Mason's a far superior player in all departments, other than perhaps size.
That was absolutely ages ago. Alderweireld was making his early appearances for Southampton, Adebayor was starting and Chelsea were good. Who knows how much Wanyama has improved?

And Mason is certainly not 'far superior player in all departments' (and they are different players)- primarily in defensive positioning and tackling, which would be the reasons we signed him.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Go back and watch Mason dominate Wanyama in our game last October.

Mason's a far superior player in all departments, other than perhaps size.
I'm sorry but you're either Mason's mum or you're insane. They are completely different players , and Wanyama has far more defensive awareness, power and ball winning abilities. He doesn't give the ball away cheaply as much as Mason has been this season, injury or no injury. Mason may have more vision, make better runs forward, but as someone shielding the defence he's not up to the job, and has never looked up to it.
 
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