Younes Belhanda

[nav007_2000]

We are linked to him according to Daily Mail.

Very good player.

Tottenham are poised to make a £10million offer for Montpellier’s Younes Belhanda in January.​

The 22-year-old playmaker was named France’s young player of the year last season and has attracted attention from Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.​

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Tottenham’s scouting team have been scouring Europe to find a suitable replacement for Luka Modric and, while manager Andre Villas-Boas is a keen fan of Joao Moutinho at Porto, Belhanda could represent better value for money.​

The Morocco international has notched eight goals in 22 games this season but has a fiery side and was sent off against Paris St-Germain.​

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[Antilokhos]

If true this will make several people around here very happy. It certainly seems like a D.Levy special.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I don't think I need to say anything here. I've made my feelings about Belhanda known just about everywhere on this site.

 

[Hitch]

Would be a great signing but can't see him moving in January unless we push the boat out (which I doubt).

 

[Snarfalicious]

Would be a great signing but can't see him moving in January unless we push the boat out (which I doubt).

I actually disagree.

Montpellier is in the midst of an awful season.

They are already out of Champions League play managing 2 measly points in group play (Against Arsenal, Schalke and Olympiakos no less).

They are currently 9th in Ligue 1 as well.

They simply are having a rough season and everyone knows that Belhanda deserves better competition. I think it would cost more towards 12-13m to secure his rights, but I think he's a good example of a good, young attainable talent to secure in January due to his current clubs failures.

 

[King of Otters]

I don't think I need to say anything here. I've made my feelings about Belhanda known just about everywhere on this site.

I haven't seen you talk about him. Care to provide a summary of why this signing should arouse my flaccid member?

 

[Mouse!]

I actually disagree.

Montpellier is in the midst of an awful season.

They are already out of Champions League play managing 2 measly points in group play (Against Arsenal, Schalke and Olympiakos no less).

They are currently 9th in Ligue 1 as well.

They simply are having a rough season and everyone knows that Belhanda deserves better competition. I think it would cost more towards 12-13m to secure his rights, but I think he's a good example of a good, young attainable talent to secure in January due to his current clubs failures.

What's he like? I'd like to know about his versatility and strengths and where he would fit in. I'd imagine he'd be the creative player in a midfield 3 but further forward than the likes of Moutinho would play, or else the AM in a 4-2-3-1, possibly being able to operate on the right as well. Would that be correct?

 

[Snarfalicious]

I haven't seen you talk about him. Care to provide a summary of why this signing should arouse my flaccid member?

I've described him around here as a more attack-minded Dembele. Very, very strong on the ball. He's got a creative mind to his game, and he's shown that he's not only a good goal-scorer, but an equally talented passer. Dribbles with ease, good turn of pace. He knows how to manipulate defenders with strength and agility. Absolutely love the guy in short.

He's got the pace, strength, and vision to play from midfield and chip in goals as the attack-minded player in the 4-3-3. He represents the perfect completion of talents between our box-to-box Dembele and defensive-minded Sandro.

This video (I know, it's YouTube) represents a good synopsis of his skillset (his pass at the 1:28 mark is a thing of sheer beauty):

 

[Snarfalicious]

What's he like? I'd like to know about his versatility and strengths and where he would fit in. I'd imagine he'd be the creative player in a midfield 3 but further forward than the likes of Moutinho would play, or else the AM in a 4-2-3-1, possibly being able to operate on the right as well. Would that be correct?

Yeah, nail on the head. He'd probably play in the advanced position of the triangle midfield 3. Right next to Dembele. Dembele and Belhanda would represent possession and attacking ability rolled into one. I think Belhanda could be the addition to put us over the top in terms of our midfield play. He doesn't have that raw pace of most wingers in the PL, but he could easily operate out wide and make space for himself with his strength, turn of pace (quick acceleration if not top-end speed) and dribbling ability.

 

[Hitch]

I actually disagree.

Montpellier is in the midst of an awful season.

They are already out of Champions League play managing 2 measly points in group play (Against Arsenal, Schalke and Olympiakos no less).

They are currently 9th in Ligue 1 as well.

They simply are having a rough season and everyone knows that Belhanda deserves better competition. I think it would cost more towards 12-13m to secure his rights, but I think he's a good example of a good, young attainable talent to secure in January due to his current clubs failures.

If we viewed him as a first choice (and thus were willing to push the boat out) then I'd be confident that a deal could get done in January. I doubt we do though. A lot of groundwork would have to go into it and as we know, Levy is as careful as anything. If we can't get Moutinho, Eriksen or whomever else might be higher on the list in Jan then I would think that we'll hold out until Summer for that position. Don't see us going in high for Belhanda at this point whilst other deals might still be possible come August. It's the Levy way.

 

[Mouse!]

On 27 August 2011, in a 2–1 defeat to Lyon, Belhanda received a straight red card after kicking out at Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanić following a challenge.[34][35]

Couldn't get Pjanic so we go for his mortal enemy.

 

[Snarfalicious]

On 27 August 2011, in a 2–1 defeat to Lyon, Belhanda received a straight red card after kicking out at Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanić following a challenge.[34][35]

Couldn't get Pjanic so we go for his mortal enemy.

Maybe he shouted: "Screw you, I'd kill for Tottenham!"

 

[King of Otters]

Looks/sounds promising. Would appear to be a realistic target too, sick of faffing with Hulk, Willian, Moutinho etc, because we never ever sign them.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Looks/sounds promising. Would appear to be a realistic target too, sick of faffing with Hulk, Willian, Moutinho etc, because we never ever sign them.

I really believe he is a perfect fit for a player that Levy would love. Perfect talent to go after: very attractive brand of play, only 22, scores goals from midfield, comes from a league that isn't necessarily awesome but he has done well there and it should translate to PL success. The moment he steps on the pitch for a PL match his value will start to increase.

 

[CJMurray]

I've described him around here as a more attack-minded Dembele. Very, very strong on the ball. He's got a creative mind to his game, and he's shown that he's not only a good goal-scorer, but an equally talented passer. Dribbles with ease, good turn of pace. He knows how to manipulate defenders with strength and agility. Absolutely love the guy in short.

He's got the pace, strength, and vision to play from midfield and chip in goals as the attack-minded player in the 4-3-3. He represents the perfect completion of talents between our box-to-box Dembele and defensive-minded Sandro.

This video (I know, it's YouTube) represents a good synopsis of his skillset (his pass at the 1:28 mark is a thing of sheer beauty):

What's he like possession wise? He looks very good on the ball, but how focal is he to how Montpellier play? Is he the hub of the team that controls games like Modric/Moutinho?

 

[punky]

I've described him around here as a more attack-minded Dembele. Very, very strong on the ball. He's got a creative mind to his game, and he's shown that he's not only a good goal-scorer, but an equally talented passer. Dribbles with ease, good turn of pace. He knows how to manipulate defenders with strength and agility. Absolutely love the guy in short.

He's got the pace, strength, and vision to play from midfield and chip in goals as the attack-minded player in the 4-3-3. He represents the perfect completion of talents between our box-to-box Dembele and defensive-minded Sandro.

This video (I know, it's YouTube) represents a good synopsis of his skillset (his pass at the 1:28 mark is a thing of sheer beauty):

He'd ace Crossbar Challenge

 

[Snarfalicious]

What's he like possession wise? He looks very good on the ball, but how focal is he to how Montpellier play? Is he the hub of the team that controls games like Modric/Moutinho?

Yeah, he's their creative hub through and through. Represents the most positive/consistent player in attack. He was one of the sole reasons why Giroud jumped off the page last season. He consistently put him in advantageous positions for goals that even Fernando Torres could finish.

--------------------- Sandro -----------------------
---------Dembele------------Belhanda-----------

That's a beautiful midfield 3 in my estimation. Looking at that brings joy to my heart. Dembele and Belhanda can absolutely boss possession and be a perfect duo that while the other draws defenders on to them, the other is finding the pocket of space the trailing defenders leaves behind.

 

[Antilokhos]

He definitely looks strong on the ball, and appears to be the type of player that would not be bothered by the physical nature of play in England. Him, Dembele, and Sandro would see our midfield never in danger of being out muscled.

It appears that if we moved for him (in lieu of Moutinho) then we would still need an attacking winger for the right. We would definitely need some goals from the side.

 

[chinaman]

He looks even better than Dembele.

 

[mw828]

Can count on this not happening. I could almost guarantee this would be a great move for us. That's how I know it won't happen.