Defensive Midfielder- Who should we look to?

[mill]

Lloris for dm? While we're at it can we bring back all the can ------- play left back threads cos they were great

 

[EastLondonYid]

Why not try Wimmer-Toby-Jan as a 3 , with Bentaleb sitting.....Rose -Walker wing backs.

Certainly worth a try away to the big guns.

 

[Dharmabum]

Why not try Wimmer-Toby-Jan as a 3 , with Bentaleb sitting.....Rose -Walker wing backs.

Certainly worth a try away to the big guns.

So all of a sudden WImmer - withut even having played a single game in the EPL -is ahead of Dier now
Besides, it won't solved the DMF "problem" by playing so against the "big guns" .... as "lesser" guns also very well knew how to make problems for Spurs' weak defense.

 

[Dharmabum]

Let's be ambitious....

William Carvalho

At least his price had dropped from last season as he's yet to live up to his early expectations (which is quite common for players in the Primeira division - who's got some of the most over priced players in the world IMO).
But you've got his team mate, Miguel Lopes, who albeit being a RB can also play as DM - player, according to the English press - Spurs have been purusing for like 8 transfer windows now

 

[Dharmabum]

Cabaye and Clasie we probably could have got,plus more than likely letting Stambouli go, it makes you wonder what we are actually looking for and who that is going to be.
Witzel would be nice but would be too expensive for us, anyway Poch, Mitchell etc are the experts so lets see what they get us.

Neiher Cabaye nor Clasie are the DM anchor Spurs needs.
Not only would Witsel be expensive he's on those ridiculously high wages at Zenit.

 

[Kenshiro]

I think people in this thread are putting to much of an emphasis on defensive ability. We need a high quality distributor just as badly in my opinion; someone who can run all the plays through the middle of the ground and keep possession fluent.

Ever since Modric left, our play through the middle has never been the same. His ability to receive the ball in space, then quickly make an excellent pass that opens the pitch up was huge for us, and let us create far more dangerous opportunities when we moved the ball forward. His replacement Dembele might have the same elite dribbling ability, but nearly every time he receives the ball, he turtles and slows play down. On top of that, he's extremely one footed, and has very limited passing range. I hear a lot of people rave about Villas-Boas's first season, but I clearly remember us being sluggish through the middle, and often relying on Gareth Bale to pull a goal out of nothing to get us over the line.

As for last season, while it's definitely the best it's ever been since Modric left, I still don't think the pairing of Mason and Bentaleb is good enough. They strike me as jack-of-all-trades, user of all, master of none box to box midfielders; Neither of them are able to consistently open the pitch up with beautiful passes throughout a match, and neither of them are particularly strong defensively. I know Bentaleb is still young, and I rate him very highly, but I don't think we should be solely relying on him to be our main playmaker, at least not yet.

A player I think would've been perfect for us, and one we were linked to about a year ago on free transfer, is Andrea Pirlo. Extraordinary passer of the ball, offers plenty of experience, and is an expert of anchoring the midfield; he would've been perfect for us. I know that ship has long sailed, but if we buy a DM, I think it's important he boasts both defensive solitude, and the ability to dictate play through the middle of the ground. A guy like Mario Suarez strikes me as more of a purely defensive midfielder, like Sandro, and I don't think he'd help us nearly as much as say, a James McCarthy.

 

[edson]

So all of a sudden WImmer - withut even having played a single game in the EPL -is ahead of Dier now
Besides, it won't solved the DMF "problem" by playing so against the "big guns" .... as "lesser" guns also very well knew how to make problems for Spurs' weak defense.

Agree Dier would start over Wimmer, but if played right 3 CB can work it kept Leicester up last season and we do have the players for that system it is defiantly worth trying in the odd game just to see if it would work.

 

[Dharmabum]

Not knowing for sure, of course, the price and salaries that would be involved in eventual transfers of these players, I think these players may be "realistic" (not saying I necessary think all of them would be a "good fit" at Spurs)::

Rabiot
Gonalons
Kramer
McCarthy
Riedewald
Mario Suarez
Illarramendi
Casemiro
Nilton
Sergi Darder
Grzegorz Krychowiak



Unlikely candidates:

Ruben Neves
Lars Bender
William Carvalho
Jorginho

 

[edson]

Massive fan of Rabiot but maybe the best solution would be Cambiasso short term because we have Amos and Owens coming through who will be ready to step into the first team by the end of a Cambiasso short term contract.

 

[EastLondonYid]

So all of a sudden WImmer - withut even having played a single game in the EPL -is ahead of Dier now
Besides, it won't solved the DMF "problem" by playing so against the "big guns" .... as "lesser" guns also very well knew how to make problems for Spurs' weak defense.

Yes i would play Wimmer ahead of DIer, and so what if he hasn't played in the Prem before, thats no reason not to play him, if your not sure about Wimmer thats a different story, but because he hasn't featured before is not enough for me.
Dier may become a decent player , but can't see him ahead of Wimmer atm. IMO ofc.

 

[PMS]

Cambiasso is a good shout.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Not knowing for sure, of course, the price and salaries that would be involved in eventual transfers of these players, I think these players may be "realistic" (not saying I necessary think all of them would be a "good fit" at Spurs)::

Rabiot
Gonalons
Kramer
McCarthy
Riedewald
Mario Suarez
Illarramendi
Casemiro
Nilton
Sergi Darder
Grzegorz Krychowiak



Unlikely candidates:

Ruben Neves
Lars Bender
William Carvalho
Jorginho

Rabiot, Gonalons, Kramer, and Krychowiak are also unlikely because they all play for CL clubs (and in Rabiot's case, he just won't be sold).

 

[Japhet]

I like Granit Xhaka but don't know if he's available or what his current situation is.

 

[brasil_spur]

I've gotten to the point now where i think the only player out there we should be seriously going after is Rabiot, because like others have said he could be in serious demand in a year or two's time.

If we can't get Rabiot on a permenant deal then my suggestion would be:

Keep Stambouli as squad player - Sign Cambiasso as DM for a season - See what can be made out of the younger players at the club - Make DM our main priorty for next summer.

 

[sendmark]

Xhaka was being heavily linked to join Bayern this summer, but Gladbach and Xhaka have refuted that. He signed a new contract earlier in the year and they are in the CL, could still be sold but would take a 20 million euro offer at least, and would need to persuade him.

 

[dontcallme]

If we're not going to go for an all-out defensive midfielder is Alex Song still available?

 

[ThorntonSpur]

if looking at players that will not get much playing time at their current clubs the likes of Carrick or Wilshire would be good squad additions to DM

 

[Lilbaz]

Di Rossi? Carrick would be decent for a year.

I wouldn't mind seeing what Bentaleb and Alli can do. If they can make it work then that could be a pairing for many years to come.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Would take Carrick in a heartbeat as a player who could add some experience and stability to our midfield group. Reads the game well and offers plenty going forward with his passing. More than one way to skin a cat.

 

[bat-chain]

I'd like to try Chiriches there.

Technically gifted, good tackler.