Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[EllenAlex]

Probably gonna have to duck for cover, but didn't think his performance was that great today. Definitely impressive for a player of his age and experience (considering he doesn't even have the loan experience that many youth players have before they come into the first team), but he shows his inexperience and immaturity pretty frequently. He is no doubt physically gifted, looks like he can use both feet well, can shoot, but I feel less confident in his defending than any of our other 4 deep CMs. He is a walking yellow card and likes to gamble a bit more than I'd like. Good game but not MOTM for me.

I guess we are going to use him, but for his development I think a championship loan where he could start every game would probably be better. I hope to see him in the Europa league a lot to build some experience and report with the first team instead of chucking him into PL games. Granted this was about the best possible PL game to give him a start in.

I look forward to seeing what he can do at age 21. Don't think he will be the answer to any of the important questions this season though, so it's better to limit expectations and not get too fancy when Sandro gets back.

Sandro used to be too. Nabil's recovery and technique in the tackle are actually quite good, I think.

 

[SpurSince57]

Sandro used to be too. Nabil's recovery and technique in the tackle are actually quite good, I think.

He's won six out of six, and puts one in every 30 minutes, against Capoue's one every 40. Obviously that figure's pretty meaningless other than to show he's no wuss and doesn't need a DM riding shotgun on him. I like Nocando's comparison with Carrick—but he's also capable of a real burst of speed, as he showed in the second half today. His composure is terrific; it's not uncommon for a kid to shine out on the wing, but far rarer at CM.

We've got a real find here, and kudos to Sherwood for giving him the chance at this level; I don't think any other manager in recent years would have done it. And bollocks to him going out on loan.

 

[EllenAlex]

He's won six out of six, and puts one in every 30 minutes, against Capoue's one every 40. Obviously that figure's pretty meaningless other than to show he's no wuss and doesn't need a DM riding shotgun on him. I like Nocando's comparison with Carrick—but he's also capable of a real burst of speed, as he showed in the second half today. His composure is terrific; it's not uncommon for a kid to shine out on the wing, but far rarer at CM.

We've got a real find here, and kudos to Sherwood for giving him the chance at this level; I don't think any other manager in recent years would have done it. And bollocks to him going out on loan.

I agree with this whole post, but the loan theory really is a non starter for me.

He does what Tom Carroll does on the ball, and much more off of it.

 

[rabbikeane]

Representatives from the algerian FA were at the game today,
they have held talks with him about playing for their national team.
World Cup qualified as they are, would be a good thing.
Of course there's the African nations cup every now and then ..

 

[SlickMongoose]

Representatives from the algerian FA were at the game today,
they have held talks with him about playing for their national team.
World Cup qualified as they are, would be a good thing.
Of course there's the African nations cup every now and then ..

If he keeps improving he might want to hold out for France.

 

[mw828]

Out of interest who was your MOTM?

I voted Eriksen, but I don't think there was really any standout today.

 

[nferno]

If he keeps improving he might want to hold out for France.

and hopefully he does, ACoN really is a pain in the arse especially if he turns out to be our future CM kingpin.

 

[G Ron]

I voted Eriksen, but I don't think there was really any standout today.

He had a decent second half and the finish for the goal was sublime. His chance before that was much easier though, but 3 in his last 5 from midfield is a good return.

 

[OneBaxter]

Don't think he stood out much today. Played steadily and kept the ball but wasn't exactly playing defence splitting passes. Still, it is good to see that he has the ability to keep the ball and looks very composed. I just hope he isn't another Livermore.

 

[$hoguN]

I think the best thing we can do is capitalise on his current exposure and get him a PL loan where he will play a lot, maybe even CP.

 

[8Gazza]

He made more passes than anyone has done for us this season, completed 97 of 104. You can't ask for more than that in a first PL start!

 

[Bofbro]

Spurs Whizkid Completes Sensational 97 Passes As Tottenham Defeat Palace
http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/01/11/spurs-2-0-palace-match-report/2014011153264

 

[TottenhamLegend]

More passes than anyone else has for us this season, and more passes than anyone did for any team today. Can't complain.

 

[HoltbiusMac]

Think he'd be even better in a midfield 3 with Sandro behind him. Certainly don't see him developing into a proper holding midfielder. But great performance today, wish that shot had gone in to cap off a cracking display.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Don't think he stood out much today. Played steadily and kept the ball but wasn't exactly playing defence splitting passes. Still, it is good to see that he has the ability to keep the ball and looks very composed. I just hope he isn't another Livermore.

He started playing a lot of nice forward passes once Defoe came on. At the end of day how often do you see that magical "defense splitting pass" in any game, for any team? Its actually quite rare, so lets not do the kid down because he didnt thread one through the eye of the needle, he was very good today. Some of our multi-million pound signings wanna have a look at themselves because Bentaleb was easily our best player.

 

[Bofbro]

Think he'd be even better in a midfield 3 with Sandro behind him. Certainly don't see him developing into a proper holding midfielder. But great performance today, wish that shot had gone in to cap off a cracking display.

He started on the wing I think, then ACM when he first joined.

 

[TottenhamLegend]

Spurs Whizkid Completes Sensational 97 Passes As Tottenham Defeat Palace
http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/01/11/spurs-2-0-palace-match-report/2014011153264

The heat map is very interesting there.

A large portion of his work is in the opposition half. Very encouraging, as it would be easy for someone of his age and experience to drop off into space and look for the simple balls, but he seems keen to get up the pitch and get involved.

 

[Gbspurs]

Reckon he would be good with Carroll. Great to have some prospects coming through finally. Still think he will struggle to break the Sandro,Paulinho and Eriksen eventual partnership but pleased to see him break through.

 

[Bofbro]

I could not copy and paste, on phone.

 

[Dharmabum]

For an EPL debut he did well, no doubt but did not stand out. Yes, he did complete 97 passes, which means he was not shy to look for the ball and worked a lot to get into positions to be open, but few of his passes changed the direction of the game nor did he dominate the game. Thus said, it is important for such a young player to dominate a game at this level so he for sure did not disappoint with his play. Thus said, when Sandro and Paulinho are back from injuries he's not good enough to start, so it would be better to send him out on loan to an EPL club where he can play regularly.