Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[Borks]

Random comment. This is football. I'd rather have Eriksen than Bentaleb if I had to choose between the two on a football pitch though.

How is it random? One of those 2 players loves to bottle a challenge.

I know I'm in a complete minority but I believe that Bentaleb will be, if not already, better in his position than Eriksen is/will be in his.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

How is it random? One of those 2 players loves to bottle a challenge.

I know I'm in a complete minority but I believe that Bentaleb will be, if not already, better in his position than Eriksen is/will be in his.

I don't think what you've said is that outrageous TBH. There's no way Bentaleb is currently better than Eriksen. I think when Bentaleb turns 22, we'll be able to compare much better. Although, it must be noted that Eriksen was playing (and the pulling the strings) in the CL with Ajax when he was 20 and had already received multiple awards.

 

[Syn_13]

Who would you rather have alongside you in a war? Bentaleb or Eriksen?

Eriksen is a luxury player, Bentaleb is what makes the team tick.

Players like Bentaleb and Mason are perfect to compliment a player like Eriksen. In my opinion, our strongest midfield is with all 3 on the pitch. Bentaleb and Mason are combative, energetic and will look to move the ball quickly, and forward if possible, when in possession. Perfect to complement the lighter, yet more creative, Eriksen, who may not give 90 minutes of effort but has the potential to do something amazing in just single touch. A great combination.

 

[Borks]

Players like Bentaleb and Mason are perfect to compliment a player like Eriksen. In my opinion, our strongest midfield is with all 3 on the pitch. Bentaleb and Mason are combative, energetic and will look to move the ball quickly, and forward if possible, when in possession. Perfect to complement the lighter, yet more creative, Eriksen, who may not give 90 minutes of effort but has the potential to do something amazing in just single touch. A great combination.

I agree but we need to see it more often.

 

[Phomesy]

Reckon he's a star already and a superstar in the making. Hyperbole? Maybe - but he's just so composed, almost visible improvement with every game he plays, and so fucking young.

He's the next Real Madrid target. Without a shadow of a doubt for mine.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Reckon he's a star already and a superstar in the making. Hyperbole? Maybe - but he's just so composed, almost visible improvement with every game he plays, and so fucking young.

He's the next Real Madrid target. Without a shadow of a doubt for mine.

Funnily enough, Real Madrid signed him on the FIFA career mode I'm doing at the moment

 

[Bofbro]

Masterful performance.

 

[tooey]

Think your underestimating the lad! I think it's a shame that unless your scoring the goals some fans find it hard to give you the credit you deserve.

It's nothing to do with goals, he's scored a couple this season. My opinion may not be a popular one but I just don't see Bentaleb-Mason as our future. It's testament to our coaches and youth set-up that these two guys have held there own at premiership level but if I'm being honest I don't see either becoming top 4 standard and ultimately that's what we should be striving for. I hope both continue to progress and prove me wrong (I see Bentaleb as the more likely to really push on).

 

[tooey]

You also posted this a few days ago:



It's a shame that some people don't appreciate our youth. Oh well. I'd like to remind you that Bentaleb and Mason were our midfield 2 during our incredible performance against Arsenal.

It's not that I don't appreciate our youth, or indeed the fantastic work of the coaching set-up. I'd go as far to say that it's mostly down to Bentaleb, Mason and Kane that there is an obvious rise in interest in our youth teams. It's an exciting time to be a Spurs fan with all these players coming through. HOWEVER, I can't deny it makes me cringe every single time somebody compares either of the two to WORLD CLASS players, players who have proved themselves season after season. It's one thing to be proud that we are sourcing from what is clearly a fantastic youth set-up, it's another to be completely ignorant of any short comings these players have. I just find people completely bias and nonobjective when rating both Mason and Bentaleb in games. Bentaleb was fantastic vs Arsenal. Mason had a polarizing game. The first half he was having a nightmare, the second half he sorted his shit out and was the best player on the pitch, I just wonder that if some of the less popular members of the squad had played to the same level if they would receive the same accolades by people. I doubt it.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

It's not that I don't appreciate our youth, or indeed the fantastic work of the coaching set-up. I'd go as far to say that it's mostly down to Bentaleb, Mason and Kane that there is an obvious rise in interest in our youth teams. It's an exciting time to be a Spurs fan with all these players coming through. HOWEVER, I can't deny it makes me cringe every single time somebody compares either of the two to WORLD CLASS players, players who have proved themselves season after season. It's one thing to be proud that we are sourcing from what is clearly a fantastic youth set-up, it's another to be completely ignorant of any short comings these players have. I just find people completely bias and nonobjective when rating both Mason and Bentaleb in games. Bentaleb was fantastic vs Arsenal. Mason had a polarizing game. The first half he was having a nightmare, the second half he sorted his shit out and was the best player on the pitch, I just wonder that if some of the less popular members of the squad had played to the same level if they would receive the same accolades by people. I doubt it.

Which world-class players have they been compared to?

 

[Shadydan]

It's nothing to do with goals, he's scored a couple this season. My opinion may not be a popular one but I just don't see Bentaleb-Mason as our future. It's testament to our coaches and youth set-up that these two guys have held there own at premiership level but if I'm being honest I don't see either becoming top 4 standard and ultimately that's what we should be striving for. I hope both continue to progress and prove me wrong (I see Bentaleb as the more likely to really push on).

They're 23 and 20, and have played 44 Premiership games between them, bit too early to judge isn't it? I don't see how anyone can envisage what the future holds at the moment.

 

[tooey]

Which world-class players have they been compared to?

Not that I have the time to sift through posts (there was definitely a comparison to Bentaleb and Zidane at some point) but the very fact that somebody about 5/6 posts back has speculated that he will be playing for Real Madrid pretty much proves my point. It's a long fall from grace and the very people that are celebrating both Mason and Bentaleb at the moment will be the first people to call them useless ****'s when they have a bad couple months. I'm not saying that people have to agree with my opinion on players... or anything actually. All I ask is a little bit of perspective.

 

[tooey]

They're 23 and 20, and have played 44 Premiership games between them, bit too early to judge isn't it? I don't see how anyone can envisage what the future holds at the moment.

That's my exact point...Whilst it's far too early to write a player off it's also far too early to suggest they will go on to be world beaters.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I think Nabil needs to try and create more actual chances and maybe add a few more goals to his game- he'll be immense if he does this. Eventually, I think he'll sit deeper than the other midfielder so it would be good to see him improve his defensive game as well.

Saying that, I think a Bentaleb-Alli midfield two would be absolutely immense. Both are 6ft2 monsters and would be extremely formidable. Bentaleb could dictate the play, while also sitting deeper (hence he should improve defensively) and Alli could be the one who makes late runs into runs and scoring goals, while also helping out Bentaleb with his defensive duties. Alli's also a great passer from what I've seen.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i'm guessing now's not the time to say onomah's going to be the next pogba then.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

I don't think that Bentaleb needs to be pushed further forward at all. He looks like he has all of th etools required to be the deep lying playmaker that we have been calling out for for years

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

They are kids still. Plus our changes in management and so playing style. I think both Bentaleb and Mason could become fantastic players, they are still learning their trade but if the continue to improve as they have in the last 12 months they could be the heart of our midfield for seasons to come.

 

[Shadydan]

That's my exact point...Whilst it's far too early to write a player off it's also far too early to suggest they will go on to be world beaters.

That's fair however I think their current progression suggests that they're going to become very good and very important players for Spurs and in particular Bentaleb who is showing signs of maturing into a very accomplished centre midfielder.

 

[Flobadob]

Bentaleb clearly has world class potential and because of Poch's track record and Nabil's brilliant attitude to learn from others and study the game to improve himself, i'm very confident he will reach his potential. I don't think saying any of that is OTT. Thought he was special after seeing about 2 or 3 matches of him and my opinion of him has only grown since then. He's a wonderful talent and jeeeze did we get lucky to stumble across him the way we did! Credit has to go to our scouts and coaches, big time!

 

[Flobadob]

I think Nabil needs to try and create more actual chances and maybe add a few more goals to his game- he'll be immense if he does this. Eventually, I think he'll sit deeper than the other midfielder so it would be good to see him improve his defensive game as well.

Saying that, I think a Bentaleb-Alli midfield two would be absolutely immense. Both are 6ft2 monsters and would be extremely formidable. Bentaleb could dictate the play, while also sitting deeper (hence he should improve defensively) and Alli could be the one who makes late runs into runs and scoring goals, while also helping out Bentaleb with his defensive duties. Alli's also a great passer from what I've seen.

Honestly, couldn't be more excited about the prospect of those 2 playing together in the future! Alli is the dogs bollocks for his age as a CM and his potential is literally sky high as he has absolutely everything needed to become a monster of a midfielder