The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 10th December 2012

[C0YS]

Can anyone explain to me why Inter are looking to offload Sneijder ?

On top of the whole contract stuff there is another reason why. Sneijder is not played that much, one of these reasons is that he is not viewed as being flexible enough for Stramaccioni. Who likes to experement a bit. For example Inter have used ten different kinds of formations this season according to who scored. He is a manager who likes flexibility and is one who is very much game by game tactic based.

Sneijder is considered far too much a player one has to base a system around then one which can simply fit into whatever system you which to play. He needs to be the centre, the guy you play the ball through otherwise he becomes a pretty limited player. With the rise of the 3 man defence in italy, the advanced playmaker loses some of its uses. Mostly because the playmaking within this system generally comes from deeper. I recall Sneijder originally had problems adapting to this system.

I believe Sneijder is a player who one cannot put into a system but rather the system must be dictated by Sneijder. Thankfully for us, he would be the missing link in then formation we have at the moment, who lacks a dominating figure in advanced midfield positions. But at the same time, when Inter stopped trying to fit Sneijder into the system, it led to Inter reinventing themselves into serious title contenders.

 

[beats1]

open the Benteke thread

Tottenham's André Villas-Boas eyes summer move for Christian Benteke​

​

• Aston Villa striker Benteke faces Tottenham on Boxing Day​

• 'I think he is surprising everybody,' says Villas-Boas​

• David Hytner
• The Guardian, Tuesday 25 December 2012 23.00 GM

André Villas-Boas has identified Christian Benteke as a summer transfer target but his immediate focus will be on how to stop the Belgium striker when he takes his Tottenham Hotspur team to Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Tottenham have sent scouts in recent weeks to watch Benteke, who moved from Genk to Villa Park in August for £7m and has found his feet in English football to score eight goals in all competitions.​

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said last month that he had tracked Benteke and he was "surprised" that the player had signed for Villa, and the Midlands club will face interest for his signature in the summer. The 22-year-old will not leave in January as Fifa rules forbid him from playing for three teams in a season; he appeared for Genk at the beginning of the season before he joined Villa on transfer deadline day.​

Benteke has heard praise from White Hart Lane, ahead of the meeting between the clubs, with Villas-Boas agreeing that he had been outstanding. "Eight goals so far … I think he is surprising everybody," Tottenham's manager said. "To his credit, he has come up strong. He has strong competition from [Darren] Bent. I think Paul Lambert [the Villa manager] was courageous in his decision to persist with a player that he got so well in the transfer market so credit to them. But it is good to see him up there."​

Jan Vertonghen, the Tottenham defender, who is an international teammate of Benteke's, said: "It doesn't surprise me that he has done well. He now feels the confidence of the team, the crowd and manager, and the last two or three games for the national team he was very, very good. He is very good in the air and he can score.​

"He will be a very tough player to play against. Aston Villa made the right choice to sign him."​

Villas-Boas faces a nervous wait before he learns whether Emmanuel Adebayor will play for Togo at the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins next month. Adebayor released a statement this month to say he had put his international career on hold because of a dispute with the Togolese federation over match bonuses. But Villas-Boas suggested that the position could still change as there was a "stand-by situation at the moment".​

"We are not sure which way it is going to be solved but, at the moment, it is not going to be resolved," Villas-Boas said. "His statement was quite simple to understand. From that, he won't be going. That's the information I have. So unless there is an agreement between him and the federation, then he won't be going. That is a big boost for us at the moment. It is excellent."​

Villas-Boas expects to be without the injured Clint Dempsey at Villa Park but he hopes that the United States attacking midfielder will be back for Saturday's visit to Sunderland.​

 

[lol]

mannn if we get sneijder that would truly be a world class signing. player in his prime age(though off form), dutch captain, world renown, as good as am/mc can get. fucking brings a tear to my eye that VDV is still pulling strings for us. i really wish he could have retire with us, but thats life i guess..but it really warms my heart that we once had such a iconic cult figure in our team. so fucking good looking, a true player that oozes class. great left peg, never gave up. so much passion, so much charisma, but never stayed long enough to be become a stone wall legend. if he really put in a huge word and seals us sneijder..he truly becomes legendary because even if he doesnt play here, his presence still makes a difference to us.

 

[ChristianBaler]

When he was being linked with a move to Utd, I am pretty sure it was being said that he was on £200k a week.

Things have changed since then regarding the big clubs wanting him. I think he knows clubs won't pay that now and that's why he's looking at spurs who he sees as a club on the up

 

[AX-Spur]

If we really want Benteke, couldn´t we buy him in January and loan him back to Villa for the remainder of the season? In that way he would only play for two teams in one season...

 

[nuttynoah]

I think getting either Sneijder or Moutinho in would enable Dembele to move forward to play the VDV role, might explain the EA out rumours too.

 

[nedley]

As ridiculous as it might sound I believe we always have a chance. A minute chance at that.

It just doesn't seem like a Levy signing to me - there is just too much risk. 29 Next year so limited sell on, debatable form over the last couple of years....but still very much a spurs player.

Rather than get our hopes up I'd rather us focus our attention on bringing the next 'Wesley Snipes' to our club.

Someone who will still be likely to hit the ground running, and up and comma.

Adam Maher & Lewis Holtby.

 

[moomin]

‏@SpursOfficial
We are delighted to announce that Brad Friedel has signed a new contract with the Club until 2014.

 

[ButchCassidy]

I think getting either Sneijder or Moutinho in would enable Dembele to move forward to play the VDV role, might explain the EA out rumours too.

Can somebody *please* explain to me why so many people keep wanting to push Dembele forward? He has consistently improved every time he has moved deeper on the pitch, going from an average CF to a pretty good attacking mid to a top-class center midfielder. Is it just because FIFA says he is a CAM?

 

[Wsussexspur]

‏@SpursOfficial
We are delighted to announce that Brad Friedel has signed a new contract with the Club until 2014.

Strange thought he would be off in the transfer window as barring a dramatic lose of form surely Hugo will our number 1 for the foresseable future and can't see what 40 year old Brad has to gain sitting on the bench week in week out. He could easily get into a few Premiership teams (like Southamton)and be playing on a regular basis.

Saying all that be good to have him as back up to Hugo. Will keep the compition for the number one spot up.

 

[ButchCassidy]

‏@SpursOfficial
We are delighted to announce that Brad Friedel has signed a new contract with the Club until 2014.

Thank God, I was already getting nervous at the thought of being one injury away from another season of Gomes!

 

[AX-Spur]

Friedel signs an extension, now I have seen everything!

If he is happy as no 2, put in a fight and place preassure on Lloris - then I am happy about that!

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

If we really want Benteke, couldn´t we buy him in January and loan him back to Villa for the remainder of the season? In that way he would only play for two teams in one season...

No. We can't just sign who we want. Villa don't want to sell him.

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

@lequipe: Wesley Sneijder pourrait finalement rebondir du côté de Tottenham http://t.co/9GUiAdE3

Something from Leqiupe. Usually reliable I hear but can't translate.

 

[Scarlet57]

@lequipe: Wesley Sneijder pourrait finalement rebondir du côté de Tottenham http://t.co/9GUiAdE3

Something from Leqiupe. Usually reliable I hear but can't translate.

Google translate - Wesley Sneijder could eventually rebound side Tottenham

 

[CAS_GG]

@lequipe: Wesley Sneijder pourrait finalement rebondir du côté de Tottenham http://t.co/9GUiAdE3

Something from Leqiupe. Usually reliable I hear but can't translate.

Words like imminent and £12m-£15m sort of suggests they don't know Levy very well

 

[chrissivad]

Google translate - Wesley Sneijder could eventually rebound side Tottenham

now we just need to translate this...

 

[belsunz]

@lequipe: Wesley Sneijder pourrait finalement rebondir du côté de Tottenham http://t.co/9GUiAdE3

Something from Leqiupe. Usually reliable I hear but can't translate.

Says that according to english and italian sources, a deal with us is imminent...

Will only believe it when I see him holding our shirt with his name on it!

 

[lippyspur]

@lequipe: Wesley Sneijder pourrait finalement rebondir du côté de Tottenham http://t.co/9GUiAdE3

Something from Leqiupe. Usually reliable I hear but can't translate.

My French is a bit sketchy but its suggesting that he could eventually end up at Tottenham

 

[Mister Jez]

Strange thought he would be off in the transfer window as barring a dramatic lose of form surely Hugo will our number 1 for the foresseable future and can't see what 40 year old Brad has to gain sitting on the bench week in week out. He could easily get into a few Premiership teams (like Southamton)and be playing on a regular basis.

Saying all that be good to have him as back up to Hugo. Will keep the compition for the number one spot up.

Not strange at all, we need a reliable backup to Hugo, this will allow us get let Carlo go to the MLS, Gomes back to Brazil, leaving Jordan Archer as 3rd choice. Makes sense to me.