Eliaquim Mangala

[Dharmabum]

That Spurs may be looking at a versatile player like Mangala is no surprise but spending £17m on him Oh it's the Daily Star lol. Spurs apparently (according to the papers) were after him 2 years ago, the summer he joined Porto.


TOTTENHAM are chasing £17m-rated defender Eliaquim Mangala as they prepare to ditch TWO centre-halves this summer.


Boss Andre Villas-Boas has sent scouts to watch the Porto player, 22, several times over the last two months and has already enquired about his availability.

Mangala is rated as the most consistent defender in Portugal this season and has impressed in the Champions League.

But Tottenham’s interest could end William Gallas and Younes Kaboul’s White Hart Lane careers.

Gallas revealed recently that he may not be at Spurs next season, while Kaboul has hardly played because of injuries and is a transfer target for Russians Anzhi Makhachkala.

Villas-Boas has said he does not want to start next season with more than four central defenders.

And Mangala would join a squad already containing Jan Vertonghen, Steven Caulker and Michael Dawson.

The ex-Sporting Lisbon player was linked with Fulham in January and has been watched in the past by Newcastle.

AC Milan are also interested in him, and a source close to Mangala said last night: “He wants to improve his career and to play in England or Italy would be a dream.”

 

[dk-yid]

I see Younes Kaboul is leaving us ....

 

[chinaman]

If he comes back from injury and stars as he did before you can be sure that the top sides in Europe will come sniffing.

 

[diegooners]

Very well researched article. Mangala is only starting to become a regular at Porto. They probably wouldn't sell and we certainly wouldn't be looking to pay that much for him. Also, he never played for Sporting Lisbon, though Standard Liege is very similar with the whole SL thing I suppose.

 

[Spursking]

Bring him in, but we need to keep Kaboul as well. Dawson can leave.

 

[Mullers]

No way would Levy pay that much for a defender.

 

[mill]

No way would Levy pay that much for a defender.

I can't see us doing deals with Porto either

 

[Oshi]

Superb name for a defender.. "The Mangala!!!"

Boas has stated we will go into next season with 4 cb's, with Gallas leaving I would be surprised if we sold/replaced anyone else unless there are serious doubts over the long term fitness of Kaboom.

 

[Snarfalicious]

If we want to spend this type of money, it'd be better suited for a guy who can play both CM and CB and has no issue with doing so. A guy such as Victor Wanyama.

 

[chavkev]

Bring him in, but we need to keep Kaboul as well. Dawson can leave.

We do not want to be letting Dawson leave. Players like him a difficult to come by. Look at him today before the Arsenal game and you can see his value.

 

[kitchen]

We do not want to be letting Dawson leave. Players like him a difficult to come by. Look at him today before the Arsenal game and you can see his value.

Look at him today during the Arsenal game and you can see his value.

 

[chavkev]

Look at him today during the Arsenal game and you can see his value.

Too true, I was trying to get across how important his attitude is.

 

[Spursking]

Look at him today during the Arsenal game and you can see his value.

I agree that he was great, but my point was that I don't want to see Kaboul leaving. If I had to choose between the two, I would keep Kaboul.

I think both are good players, though. Dawson is so committed to the club, and that is great to see.

 

[Spursking]

We are linked to Mangala and Indi. Are we finally in a position where we can make good signings every time? I really hope so. It looks promising. We are also linked with the likes of Eder, Benteke, Atsu. I also want to see us linked with players like Martinez, Lacina Traore, Wijnaldum and Wilfried Bony....etc... Exciting signings and it will secure our future as a club at the top.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

I think Gallas will go, then we will have Kaboul, Vertonghen, Dawson and Caulker. Maybe a signing to come in with versatility to play CD with some assurance, but not a specialist. Either a player who can cover centre mid and centre half, or a full back who can cover at centre back.

Three or four signings this summer as opposed to 6 or so. Spread any funds over less players, for higher calibre. Promote some of our talented development side into spaces vacated by fringe players that could/should be sold.
Strengthen down the spine, one defender as discussed above. One midfielder, to give us cover stylistically for Dembele, as Parker and Livermore are more defensive covering Sandro. Finally a quality striker, much needed for some time now. Maybe a fourth signing, depending on what we do with what we already have. Maybe Gomes heading out, and Archer going on loan again for more experience, stepping up in leagues, returning next year as Brad steps down, then possibly sign a keeper. Or, a natural wing option to compete/cover Bale and Lennon, depending how Townsend, Pritchard and Falque progress on their respective loans. Or potentially another striker if AVB decides Adebayor remains a shadow of his former self.
Beyond that, a few stepping up, maybe Smith coming back into the squad to compete with Naughton, one staying, the other moving on. Carroll and Mason giving us another central option. Then the likes of Townsend, Falque, Pritchard and Kane higher up the pitch.
Rose coming back, has stated he wants game time, well AVB has shown he likes to mix things up a bit, utilise his squad to keep them fresh. Rose should get games, and his style suits AVB's style with the fullbacks being more like wingbacks.

 

[Misfit]

I see Younes Kaboul is leaving us ....

Unless he signs a new contract soon he might very well be.

Edit - after a quick shufty, it appears his contract ends in 2015 and not 2014. Ignore me.