Adel Taarabt - Our Young Player of Next Season?

[JonnySpurs]

Totally agree with Brasil_Spur first and foremost, great post!

What I noticed yesterday against Sporting is that he has a great knack, like Zidane did, for stopping with the ball on the spot and calmly deciding what to do next. He turned well, showed some lovely touches and played some good through balls to Keane as well.

However, he doesn't yet work hard enough to get back when he does lose it and does indeed lose it when he sometimes tries things that he probably shouldn't.

The bottom line though is that he clearly has massive potential and if coached the right way and obviously as long as he cooperates then he could an important player for us

 

[karennina]

If you take the Zidane comparison, Zidane was around 23 when he really started to break through and show what he could do at a top(ish) level, and didn't move to Juventus and really play at a top level until he was 24.

Taraabt is only 21 and could easily still become a great player.

People expect too much these days and when they say things like "he's the next Zidane", they expect him to be playing like Zidane did at his peak but 6 or 7 years earlier than Zidane peaked.

The same can be said for Giovanni Dos Santos. At Barca people were looking for him to become the next Ronaldinho, but Ronaldinho didn't move to PSG from Gremio until he was 21, and made only 52 appearances for Gremio (in a league much easier than Spain and England, and probably even Turkey).

GDS is 21, has made a total of 78 appearances for teams which are in leagues either better than or equivalent to the Brazilian Serie A League.

GDS has also made 30 appearances for Mexico, with Ronaldinho again behind him at 21 years old with around 22 appearances for Brazil.

The point here is that both GDS and Taraabt could still easily become top class players. They are both young enough and experienced enough to take a step to the next level if they can get mentally focused.

I don't think they will be the next Zidane and Ronaldinho's but they still have the potential be top class international footballers IMO.

^^ +1

Sometimes maturity comes quickly too. We might just be surprised this season.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

If you take the Zidane comparison, Zidane was around 23 when he really started to break through and show what he could do at a top(ish) level, and didn't move to Juventus and really play at a top level until he was 24.

Taraabt is only 21 and could easily still become a great player.

People expect too much these days and when they say things like "he's the next Zidane", they expect him to be playing like Zidane did at his peak but 6 or 7 years earlier than Zidane peaked.

The same can be said for Giovanni Dos Santos. At Barca people were looking for him to become the next Ronaldinho, but Ronaldinho didn't move to PSG from Gremio until he was 21, and made only 52 appearances for Gremio (in a league much easier than Spain and England, and probably even Turkey).

GDS is 21, has made a total of 78 appearances for teams which are in leagues either better than or equivalent to the Brazilian Serie A League.

GDS has also made 30 appearances for Mexico, with Ronaldinho again behind him at 21 years old with around 22 appearances for Brazil.

The point here is that both GDS and Taraabt could still easily become top class players. They are both young enough and experienced enough to take a step to the next level if they can get mentally focused.

I don't think they will be the next Zidane and Ronaldinho's but they still have the potential be top class international footballers IMO.

Sure and good point. I'd say Gio is quite a few steps ahead of Taraabt at the moment, and hope/think he'll play a part next season. As for Adel, always rated him but he doesnt really seem to progress to the next level. For most of the clips above he's got impressive trickery but doesnt get far. Several times he turns his man around more than once, then goes back and plays the pass he could/should've played at his first touch. While he's got as good technique as anyone he doesnt have the vision, think he'll do best at a decent French side or something... (though I'd love to see him suceed at Spurs..)

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Totally agree with Brasil_Spur first and foremost, great post!

What I noticed yesterday against Sporting is that he has a great knack, like Zidane did, for stopping with the ball on the spot and calmly deciding what to do next. He turned well, showed some lovely touches and played some good through balls to Keane as well.

However, he doesn't yet work hard enough to get back when he does lose it and does indeed lose it when he sometimes tries things that he probably shouldn't.

The bottom line though is that he clearly has massive potential and if coached the right way and obviously as long as he cooperates then he could an important player for us

That's what Taraabt does, Zidane already knew what he was going to do and used his first touch accordingly. (in fairness, only seen highlights of pre-season/QPR last season so he might have improved for all I know..)

 

[beals]

I thought for the first time, Adel actually released the ball early on a number of occassions against Sporting so maybe he is starting to listen to the coaches. Would love to see him develop his potential as Spurs.

 

[SlickMongoose]

Fingers crossed, hey.

 

[MattyP]

He's only got a year left on his contract and judging by his rant earlier in the year doubt he will sign an extension.

Sell him now whilst we can get some money for him.

 

[StanSpur]

He doesn't have to, he'll be considered U21 and doesn't have to be registered among the 25 to be eligible to play.

Think you'll find he is already 21 before the start of next season

 

[Raxscallion]

I hope to be playing for one of the top four in Spain next season — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or Sevilla. I have contact with good teams and I know that they want me. Now I just have to hope they can agree a deal with Tottenham.

:rofl:

 

[Coalhada]

Think you'll find he is already 21 before the start of next season

You are correct, but the cut-off date is 1st of January this year for squad purposes, so he still qualifies for under-21.

 

[stevethfc]

Hes probably the most gifted player of our generation, and should partner Dos Santos in a 1-2 up front

 

[dooey123]

For me I don't think he'll become a sensation regardless of age. I haven't watched him whilst he was on loan but from yesterday he did not seem to have improved. Brain can't keep up with his feet, has a great touch but it goes to waste too often and finds it hard to play it simple. I'm sure the other great names mentioned were better at 20/21. I'd love to eat my words as he does remind me alot of Zizou in terms of physical presence.

 

[Kushal]

He's matured a lot since he last played for us and now seems to be doing the basic things right. I wouldn't write him off just yet - the potential is still there.

I'm hoping he's changed his decision to leave after being involved in this pre-season and can really make an impact with us.

 

[SpunkyBackpack]

I just hope we can hold off the interest from Barca and R Madrid, at least until Friday.

 

[riversmonkey]

Andros Townsend or Kyle Walker are likely to feature prominently this season. These guys look ready to go, and must be considered favourites for Young Player of the Year.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Bale is a certainty for young player of the year, unless of course he's no longer considered young

Walker may have a chance

Taarabt needs to grow a brain before he can be considered for any sort of role in the first team, talented though he may be in all other respects

 

[StanSpur]

You are correct, but the cut-off date is 1st of January this year for squad purposes, so he still qualifies for under-21.

If that is the case then Dos Santos is also under 21 and so is Bale so neither of them have to be in our squad either!

 

[Raxscallion]

Hes probably the most gifted player of our generation, and should partner Dos Santos in a 1-2 up front

You need to come back indoors now dear, it's time for your meds.

 

[Bingy]

I have few doubts that the boy (man) has a great future....but can Harry see quality...non-English quality? I fear not 100%. He has showed 'promise' so far (up and down?). Watch this space COYS!

 

[DoublePivot]

I don't know what some people saw, but this guy is a trickster. He has no ability to play within a system. He's terrrible. He's that guy from Amsterdam you can see on the Leidesplein climbing a light fixture dribbling the ball but can't play the game. If we sold Adel for a half-penny, I would have no worries that it would bite us ever. Just not built for organized football.