Valon Behrami

[Lufti]

I don't see it that way at all, to be honest. Lapses? Yes, but that's also expected. He does have a tendency to "sink" into the wrong man, but there have been times when he has dropped back into vacant spaces left by our fullbacks and in return has stopped counters or at least slowed them greatly. I immediately think of against Southampton when he did this repeatedly. I don't view him as strictly-speaking a DM, but more so a B2B at this point with the potential to become a deep lying playmaker should his passing continue to develop.

He's 19 years old. I think it's a bit ridiculous to think he'd come in and be absolutely polished all around. Well, unless you're Tim Sherwood.

Don't get me wrong, I think he's got potential. But he's not accomplished enough in either defence or attack yet to be playing regularly for us. The box to box player for most teams is normally their most important, as it's the position which arguably has more influence over the team than any other. Unfortunately for Bentaleb, that is obviously the role which he would need to play to excel, and at the current time (which is perfectly understandable for a 19 year old) he's not good enough to play there for a team trying to challenge for the top 4. I'm not necessarily saying Behrami is, but I think he's accomplished and experienced enough on the defensive side of things to mean that within in the next two years he could have more a positive impact for us than Bentaleb could, as at least he can do a job, and that job is screening the back four. All onions of course, but that is mine..

 

[DaSpurs]

It seems a major cause of miscommunication, and consequentially disagreements, between Spurs fan these days (including this one) can be chalked down directly to a difference of expectation. You both make good points in defense of both players, but as Lufti points out the difference in expectations has to be taken into consideration. If we go with the youth, that's all well n good, but it is unreasonable to expect success with such a midfield going forward. I agree with Snarf that Bentaleb looks better in a BTB/DLP role than he has with the responsibility of shielding, but he absolutely should not be used as a reason not to buy a more established player at the position if we intend to press for any honors next year.

 

[coyspurs18]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/tot...-benitez-revives-sandro-interest-9611630.html

 

[carpediem991]

No...even if we sell Sandro, we have enough CM players. The only one i want is Schneiderlin in this position

 

[Marty]

I'd take him, if only to see how the Spammers react to it. KUMB would be golden if this happened.

But really, I don't see why we'd need him.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It seems pointless. We're trying to trim the squad so I doubt we would want a swap deal.