Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[THFC_67]

Absolutely top class today, double or treble his wages and tie him to a long term contract please. Big star in the making and definitely a future captain. Been hugely impressed with him this season, not just today. Although I'd say Poch would have seen his potential and picked him anyway, fair play to Tim for giving Nabil his chance. If he got one thing right it was this.

 

[npearl4spurs]

What a great young player to anchor our midfield for years to come. We must not waste his talent! Let's get him some better attacking midfielders in front of him to play balls to!

I would like to see more runs forward as we saw today and for him to not settle for those long range shots. He has put a fair few on frame, but he showed some nice dribbling ability today at one point late in the first half as he got into the box. I'd love to see him attacking more with that and play some passes closer to the box or at least get into the box for his shots.

 

[chinaman]

Will develop to be even better than Khadeira.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Will develop to be even better than Khadeira.

He's not like Khedira at all IMO, more like a Carrick.

 

[CornerPinDreamer]

oh ffs.. stop bickering

Bentaleb = awesome for 20 years old and I hope he really goes on to emulate his hero.. he models himself on Zidane btw and I think he has the potential to get there ..

erhmm

 

[Nocando]

He's so good isn't he?

Not bad for Sherwood's love child.

 

[Snarfalicious]

He continues to impress. There were times last season where it felt like he was overmatched but you could see he really had an understanding of the game with how he would position himself. I think the pace/strength of the EPL was naturally going to catch him offguard last season given his relative lack of experience.

Flash forward to this season and the guy looks like just about no one could muscle him off the ball. He always looks to be in control on the ball and his shielding of the ball looks Dembele-esque (who I would consider probably one of the Top 2 or 3 at it in the EPL) at times. The passing continues to become more and more expansive and I'm thinking it will continue to do so as he gains more and more confidence. He's our most consistent performer right now.

It's incredible, but we've got our midfield engine for years to come and he's only 20 years old. He loves the club, he's getting better and better after every performance and there's really no telling how great he could become.

 

[HW61]

What's telling for me was I was chatting to a few Spurs pals this morning and the one player I felt certain wouldn't let us down and would thrive on the big occasion was Bentaleb.

That's not a criticism of the other players at all, just a big thumbs up to him.

I hope Poch uses the remainder of the season to introduce a few of the other gems we have coming through.

 

[fuzzylogic]

He is progressing well, good passer and physically strong for his age. 20 years old and only gonna get better. Tim was right when he brought him in to the first team

 

[Benjos]

He's a fantastic player, so much quality for such a young age. The thing that I like the most about him is his attitude - he's a born winner and leader, never gives up, gives 100% every game and has the quality to match that attitude. Keep it up Nabil!

 

[Snarfalicious]

He is progressing well, good passer and physically strong for his age. 20 years old and only gonna get better. Tim was right when he brought him in to the first team

I'm one of the many who will ridicule Sherwood at any opportunity, but you're completely correct in Sherwood really did bring Bentaleb into the side from just about out of nowhere.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Disagree. Whilst I wouldn't say no to someone like schneiderlin, Mason is great foil for him, always gives him a ball, plays it forward quickly, drops when he goes forward. Those two are prem quality. It's the three behind Kane we struggle with, Mason and Bentaleb get the ball quickly but few of them (Eriksen aside, and Chadli when he is at it) take advantage of the space around them.

As much as i like Mason, i feel that Dele Alli may be a technically better player with greater potential in the long run, will be great to have both in rotation.

 

[Snarfalicious]

As much as i like Mason, i feel that Dele Alli may be a technically better player with greater potential in the long run, will be great to have both in rotation.

I'd personally prefer Jordy Clasie for the more incisive passing. Bentaleb has a fantastic range of passing, but Clasie's got the ability to play the through balls into the channels that can really springboard an attack.

Also, I'd absolutely love a midfield 3 of Clasie, Alli and Bentaleb. That's got just about everything you'd want in a trio.

 

[npearl4spurs]

I'd personally prefer Jordy Clasie for the more incisive passing. Bentaleb has a fantastic range of passing, but Clasie's got the ability to play the through balls into the channels that can really springboard an attack.

Also, I'd absolutely love a midfield 3 of Clasie, Alli and Bentaleb. That's got just about everything you'd want in a trio.

ugh if Lamela could ever find his ceiling we would have an amazing 4-3-3.

 

[Snarfalicious]

ugh if Lamela could ever find his ceiling we would have an amazing 4-3-3.

Yeah, it could be quite efficient. I like to dream about singing Depay, having Eriksen in that free/most attacking CM role in a 4-3-3 (like he played at Ajax) with Kane up top and Lamela out wide providing the furthest forward creativity. On paper, playing to their abilities, it could match up with just about anyone.

 

[npearl4spurs]

Yeah, it could be quite efficient. I like to dream about singing Depay, having Eriksen in that free/most attacking CM role in a 4-3-3 (like he played at Ajax) with Kane up top and Lamela out wide providing the furthest forward creativity. On paper, playing to their abilities, it could match up with just about anyone.

I really prefer the 4-3-3 to the 4-2-3-1 and I think Bentaleb would be a fantastic mid in it.

 

[lillywhites61]

Just got back, he absolutely stood out for me today, looks like a future star! Strong on the ball, technically very good. Kept the ball moving best he could. Really composed young player

 

[eddiev14]

Played extremely well yesterday. Keeps improving.

I find it funny how the media consistently mention Mason in the same breath as Kane when they talk about our good young players.

Nabil is by far the better player, and younger (I guess he's not English though, maybe that's it?).

 

[allatsea]

Played extremely well yesterday. Keeps improving.

I find it funny how the media consistently mention Mason in the same breath as Kane when they talk about our good young players.

Nabil is by far the better player, and younger (I guess he's not English though, maybe that's it?).

Would it be completely ridiculous to say Bentaleb is the best player we have produced since Ledley King ? Better even than the Hurricane ?

 

[MetalFace D]

Would it be completely ridiculous to say Bentaleb is the best player we have produced since Ledley King ? Better even than the Hurricane ?

Right now? Yeah. We'll see how he improves next season. Same goes for Kane.