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Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

soflapaul

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2018
8,874
14,960
He was a mixed bag. Massive talent and could penetrate through small spaces. Yet he had moments of sheer stupidity. His passing the ball cross field on the ground while breaking out was Walkeresque. It's great to see boys turn into men so if he has finally owned up, then more power to him. I wouldn't mind him back if Poch wanted him. But that is a big if.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Onions and all that. One match v Arsenal aside, I never felt he took responsibility which is a minimum requirement in that position.

It was definitely the opposite, he'd always ask for the ball and be available for a pass - the criticism of him came from the fact that he'd give the ball away in dangerous positions with square passes. But he always stood out for us in big matches - Pauilnho is player you're describing.
 

Flobadob

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2014
3,617
12,315
Decent talent with good athleticism but ultimately was a bit of a hider. Converse of Winks in terms of on-pitch attitude. It’s not about how many touches or passes, I’m sure they’d be comparable between the two, but about where you receive and play the ball, and in what circumstances.
He was probably the exact opposite of a hider. He always showed for the ball and put an absolute shift in every match
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
I thought his presence, temperament and willingness to shell out the odd bollocking was very impressive. He had bit of fire about him.

Sounds like I'm writing his eulogy, but he had some steel to go with his talent. At the time, he didn't have the same natural understanding of the defensive side of things as Dier proved to have. Would probably been better for him to be paired with Dier and bide his time, but he was obviously an impatient soul at the time.
 

tooey

60% banana
Apr 22, 2005
5,228
7,948
Is this a case of nostalgia overriding reality? I remember him being an absolute liability, he and Mason would thread the ball through for our opponents attackers for a past time. He was always athletic and certainly didn't lack commitment on the pitch, I was just never convinced he had much of a football brain or top end technical ability to mask his shortcomings.
 

Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
7,705
23,267
I seem to remember him having all the raw ingredients, but being very raw...if you see what I mean. He needed experience, which he's now got.

I suspect he'd want to play in the same sort of position as Alli, though I always felt he'd be the natural successor to Dembele (i.e. deeper).

Would be nice to get him back but I suspect he'd be pretty expensive now and I think we'd be able to get a better player elsewhere
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
Is this a case of nostalgia overriding reality? I remember him being an absolute liability, he and Mason would thread the ball through for our opponents attackers for a past time. He was always athletic and certainly didn't lack commitment on the pitch, I was just never convinced he had much of a football brain or top end technical ability to mask his shortcomings.

I think that, his stand out season for us, our level was significantly lower than it is now relatively speaking but I felt he had a great pass on him, good tenacity which at times boiled over. I felt he had good footwork which was crucial in the middle of the pitch. I felt like he lacked concentration at times but he was I think 20/21 at the time so with experience, that should have been ironed out. I think he could have been a great player for us but we've gone up some levels since then.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
He was probably the exact opposite of a hider. He always showed for the ball and put an absolute shift in every match
Putting in a shift isn’t just how many km you run, it’s how you run those kms. As for always showing, that shouldn’t be conflated with taking responsibility. It’s easy to take the ball in areas where there’s no pressure from the opposition and you won’t be expected to do anything with it other than return it to the original passer.
 

stevenqoz

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
2,776
553
Had some inspiring games for us. All about timing. Like him back but always a question about will players do what the team needs. Townsend a prime example
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
7,958
29,657
I've always liked Nabil and felt that his attacking potential was underutilized, while we were trying to shoehorn him into the DM position. He definitely doesn't have the physicality of a Dembele or Sissoko but his dribbling and technical ability really stand out. Would love to have him back as he would offer us goals and assists from the CM position. Also, credit to him for being honest and taking responsibility for how things played out when he was a Spurs player. Very rare to hear a 24 year old be as introspective about their past actions and look to grow and improve. That shows obvious signs of maturity and I Imagine that would go a long way if Poch were to decide to bring him back.
 

robertgoulet

SC Resident Crooner Extraordinaire
Jul 23, 2013
3,610
12,552
I haven’t watched any of his matches since he left. Does he still carelessly give the ball away around midfield, leading to a 2 on 1 counter?
 

Gassin's finest

C'est diabolique
May 12, 2010
37,350
87,814
One thing Bentaleb never was, was ball shy. He always wanted it, he thrived on dictating the play and being at the centre of things. That's what drove him, and ultimately that's why he was impatient when he returned from injury, and led to him falling out with Poch.
 

yusrisafri

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2004
6,369
7,548
Putting in a shift isn’t just how many km you run, it’s how you run those kms. As for always showing, that shouldn’t be conflated with taking responsibility. It’s easy to take the ball in areas where there’s no pressure from the opposition and you won’t be expected to do anything with it other than return it to the original passer.
He wasnt like that mate! I think you're confusing him with paulinho.
 

T-Love92

Well-Known Assembler
Aug 3, 2017
305
806
He had disciplinary issues at Schalke too, so I wouldn't want him back tbh. His performances in germany certainly wouldn't let me forget those attitude problems
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
Paulinho was a different kind of hider, but no, to the various patronising suggestions that I’m confusing the two, I am not mistaking Nabil Bentaleb for Paulinho, I just think Bentaleb was a con artist who gave faux effort and endeavour but didn’t massively affect things, like a Jamie Redknapp. I’d liken him Jenas without the semi decent goal return or ability to carry the ball forward.
 

Frozen_Waffles

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2005
3,760
9,505
He's looking good today against city. Constantly asking for the ball, still has that arrogance about him, which I like.

If we did include a sell on or buy back clause it would be well worth it.
 

Johnny J

Not the Kiwi you need but the one you deserve
Aug 18, 2012
18,118
47,881
Paulinho was a different kind of hider, but no, to the various patronising suggestions that I’m confusing the two, I am not mistaking Nabil Bentaleb for Paulinho, I just think Bentaleb was a con artist who gave faux effort and endeavour but didn’t massively affect things, like a Jamie Redknapp. I’d liken him Jenas without the semi decent goal return or ability to carry the ball forward.
Describing a professional footballer as a con artist seems very out of character for you. You're normally quite moderate.

He was very confident, perhaps overly so. But he never hid, always looked for the ball.

Edit: Stepped up for that pen tonight. How is that hiding?

Edit 2: Hides again with a second pen. What a con artist!
 
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BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
Describing a professional footballer as a con artist seems very out of character for you. You're normally quite moderate.

He was very confident, perhaps overly so. But he never hid, always looked for the ball.

Edit: Stepped up for that pen tonight. How is that hiding?

Edit 2: Hides again with a second pen. What a con artist!
I didn’t say he was a con artist now, I haven’t watched him since he left, but for me he did hide at Spurs, he did fail to take responsibility and he did pass the buck to his teammates constantly. This might have improved with game time, but as far as I’m concerned Bentaleb did a lot superficial graft which actually had little impact on the team in either direction.
 
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