Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[DEFchenkOE]

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.

Having said that though there were times last season when I thought Bentaleb looked a bit out of his depth and Aberford seemed to be playing him just to prove a point. You could see he was talented but didn't really seem ready.

But the positive impact that had was getting him a taste for the epl and then of course getting selected for the world cup. And since then he seems to be stronger and more composed, now this season he knows what to expect because of the game time he got last season. To me he really does look like a much better player now compared to 6-8 months ago.

I said it in the match thread and I'll say it again he is becoming a monster of a player. Excellent performance by him would love to see his pass completion stats as I don't remember him giving it away too often.

 

[kd2000]

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

I had a conversation similar to this on the train back from Wembley yesterday with another spurs fan and 2 Chelsea fans. I think Bentaleb will be our next big money departure because his ceiling for improvement is IMO higher than others. I don't think (fingers crossed) Lloris will leave yet or anyone pay massive for Eriksen but Bentaleb cant help but impress people. Even my brother who is an Arsenal fan rates him, and he hates spurs.
Mason is a difficult one for me. I desperately want him to do well but im not sure he will get any better and may end up another Livermore and a good squad rotation player, or sold to Hull.
Genuinely I believe Lloris, Dier, Bentaleb, Kane should be our spine with a team built around that. Obviously Eriksen plays but anyone else meh take it or leave it for me.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Probably now Poch's 1st choice CM and deserves to be.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

just read this mornings metro to see they rated him 4.........wth? He was by far the best player in the pitch for me!

 

[bubble07]

When did he join our academy? He has really upped his game.

 

[MetalFace D]

When did he join our academy? He has really upped his game.

After being released from Lille's academy at the age of 15/16 and failing trials from multiple teams including Birmingham City, we picked him up. I believe he started of as a winger.

 

[Bobbins]

He actually reminds me a bit of a young Veron, and not just because of the chin beard. He's tall and rangey but solidly built, perfect for a 4-3-3 as the anchor IMO.

His ball retention has improved massively and his forward passing is improving too. He's potentially got everything. It's far too early to say it but him and Alli could potentially form a very talented and complimentary, physically imposing duo in the future. I'd like to see Mason on the tip of a midfield trio with those two.

 

[chiversandgilzean]

I hope Bentaleb wasn't aware of the ridiculous brickbats going his way from a lot of Spurs fans when Sherwood was playing (albeit a tad overplaying) him.

He oozes class and will be one we are fighting off big bids from the new elite for in the near future.

 

[samsonlevi]

My fav player and has been for a number of months now... Love how disciplined he is in his position and also how he takes no crap from any other players! Classy player with grit and determination!

He's what we were missing in the year we had a midfield of modric, bale, vdv, Lennon. I know we had Parker and for that first season he was terrific, but...he didn't move the ball as quick and decisively as this lad!!

With our current team/squad, we have two/three players who like to pass forward and quickly (bentaleb, mason and eriksen) what we don't have is runners who will look to be on the end of balls slotted behind our opponents back 4. This is what we need to address as a team...I think poch is (with the help of Mitchell) and depay would be a fantastic start!

 

[walworthyid]

I thought he was immense yesterday. He gave the ball away once but apart from that it was a flawless display.

He has the potential to be one of the best midfield players in Europe.

 

[MetalFace D]

Can you imagine if we didnt pick him up? I wonder where he'd be now..

Im so grateful our scouts saw the potential and picked him up, seriously top work.

 

[double0]

I will good on the record and say that Bentaleb will be world class. At Wembley he totally controlled that midfield with the like of Fabregas no where near him.

I can't believe people wrote him off last season under Sherwood the same I hear people now saying of Mason. We need to give these two all the time possible. Against Chelski our midfield was on top.

 

[double0]

Tottenham better hurry up and tie Bentaleb to a long term contract...what the hell are their waiting for.

Bentaleb is fast becoming my favourite player (Kane,Eriksen,Mason)

 

[rupsmith]

I posted this on Nabil after our 5-3 Chelsea game - always been a fan of his.

I've always been impressed with Bentaleb - his first touch, positioning and quickness of ball rotation - exactly what that position requires - is what makes a big big difference to our play. He has a clear vision - watch how he looks up and around before he receives the ball. There were several instances yesterday where he would play it first time to either Eriksen or Mason or Dembele and one touch play would build quickly and at speed. The kid is 19 or 20 - he is a full international, shows tremendous positional maturity and dictates the tempo of our play very well indeed. He is one strong lad as well - looks like a 6' something God of War - Kratos. Great to watch.

He will be our future for sure

 

[eddiev14]

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

But early for that but I like your enthusiasm mate!

 

[stewartd]

Must admit that last season I had my doubts about him.
I didn't take into account how young he was and that he must have been playing under strict orders from Tim.
He seemed to me to be another sideways crab who didn't add more to the team then any number of ordinary players we have had here in the past.
As this season has developed I can see I was wrong.
No doubt under the influence of Poch his game has taken on new dimensions. He now drives forward , looks for the forward and incisive pass not just the same square one. tackles well and is full of enthusiasm.
If he can continue to improve at this pace and learn to make runs into the box as well.
, then I can see him becoming a very good player and a certainty to be in our mid field for many seasons.
He will still make errors as he is so young but as long as he keeps trying to make plays and doesn't hide(unlike Jenas) then that's all we can ask for. Sorry Nabil for having doubted you.

 

[gerishep]

Martin Samuel in the Mail gave him 5 out of 10, said he was ineffectual. I like Martin Samuel but I think he's wrong, in fact his whole match write up of our team and individual players just stinks. He also glorified Chelsea. Lord knows why they were not any better than us, but they were lucky. He said Costa terrorised our defence, that is just not true.

 

[stewartd]

Martin Samuel in the Mail gave him 5 out of 10, said he was ineffectual. I like Martin Samuel but I think he's wrong, in fact his whole match write up of our team and individual players just stinks. He also glorified Chelsea. Lord knows why they were not any better than us, but they were lucky. He said Costa terrorised our defence, that is just not true.

Its easy to be part of the heard and laud praise on the winners and suck dick.
It takes balls and skill as a journalist to see that the defeated side had some merit too, and that in Bentaleb they had one of the best players on the day. Samuels hasn't got the skill or insight to see any of these qualities and accordingly his opinions are like his Wet Spam side a load od garbage.

 

[IGSpur]

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

I don't think so. Taking into account the players we have produced since Ledley of note

Marney, Ohara, Rose, Livermore, Caulker, Townsend, Bentaleb, Kane, Mason

I don't know if I have missed any between say King and Rose but other than Kane I don't think it's crazy to think he's the best since

 

[double0]

Pochettinho philosophy is the way forward imo...although we hear cry of not having plan B. I like the way we play. With a few better players to add ie at CB, wings with pace, support up front for Kane

We played Liverpool at Anfield and against 352 we were well in that game. Against Chelski 433 again we were in control. What's needed imo are a few more better players.