Joao Moutinho

[Spurger King]

Wages were sorted, I thought—although how the hell they suddenly became an issue on the last day beats me.

I can only speculate of course, but my complete guess would be that we made the mistake of selling VDV before finalising the Moutinho deal, thus leaving Porto (and Moutinho apparently) in a position to try and hold Levy to ransom.

I get the impression that if we'd made that offer for Moutinho prior to selling VDV, the deal would have been done. I reckon the early window cut-off in Germany forced our hand in selling VDV, then when the inevitable happened and Porto tried to take advantage, Levy refused to lose face and instead left us without our key transfer target, and minus a much loved and talented player in VDV.

 

[noahrobert]

Quite frankly, I think it may be time we start looking at finding the next Moutinho instead of Moutinho himself. Leaving the door open for Moutinho of course, but a secondary plan should be put into place between now and January.

I have full faith that AVB can find a younger player that he can mold into his Moutinho v2.0 for Tottenham.

I think Isco could be a great starting point. And, the benefit of doing this is presumably finding a talent that a.) Is younger and b.) would probably come at a fraction of the price.

We all know Tottenham/DL is always looking for the smart buy. To me, going with a younger player who is on the fringe of a breakout (i.e. Isco) would be far more worth the money. Moutinho has a very slim chance of improving his value. While Moutinho represents an immediate fit into a position on the pitch for Tottenham, I do think we could do a lot of good for the whole of the squad with that 22-25m.

It's a gamble for sure. I'm essentially saying not going for the proven product because his valuation may not go up, and opt for a younger guy who simply may not pan out. But, if DL trusts AVB's scouting of players (Something I'd really hope he does as he did hire him), then I believe AVB can determine a young player that he believes can come into the first-team and build him up into a new Moutinho.

It's just a thought, and I think either way I'd be extremely happy as Moutinho is a hell of a player and he'd represent an immediate upgrade in midfield.

Totally agree with your concept, but not the player. Whilst I would love the player (Isco) at the lane he is a no.10, an attacking midfielder some times playing on the wings, an inappropriate replacement for a deep lying passing defensive playmaker. Would love them both at the lane, but doesn't work replacing targets of totally different players..

 

[ChristianBaler]

Wages were sorted, I thought—although how the hell they suddenly became an issue on the last day beats me.

His agent during this time was Pini Zahavi.....who is a nightmare to deal with. He was the problem from what I've read.

Moutinho however, has recently switched agents to the same one who represents AVB....maybe thats a good coincidence.

 

[tototoner]

Wages were sorted, I thought—although how the hell they suddenly became an issue on the last day beats me.

In meant in general - not Moutinho specifically

We always seem to act like Billy Big Bollocks by going for the likes of Rossi, Llorente and the like but I very much doubt we could match their demands, seems to be a fan appeasing exercise at most to me.

 

[worcestersauce]

He'll be a Spurs player within the next twelve month.

 

[ItsBoris]

Totally agree with your concept, but not the player. Whilst I would love the player (Isco) at the lane he is a no.10, an attacking midfielder some times playing on the wings, an inappropriate replacement for a deep lying passing defensive playmaker. Would love them both at the lane, but doesn't work replacing targets of totally different players..

Yep, Isco is more of a Silva type player, Moutinho more similar to Modric.

 

[ItsBoris]

His agent during this time was Pini Zahavi.....who is a nightmare to deal with. He was the problem from what I've read.

Moutinho however, has recently switched agents to the same one who represents AVB....maybe thats a good coincidence.

After the transfer window closed? Maybe that reflects his displeasure with his agent not getting the deal done or holding it up.

 

[ChristianBaler]

After the transfer window closed? Maybe that reflects his displeasure with his agent not getting the deal done or holding it up.

Yes, after the window had closed.

His agent at the time was the reason it didnt get done due to his demands....which is ridiculous.

 

[jonnyp]

Totally agree with your concept, but not the player. Whilst I would love the player (Isco) at the lane he is a no.10, an attacking midfielder some times playing on the wings, an inappropriate replacement for a deep lying passing defensive playmaker. Would love them both at the lane, but doesn't work replacing targets of totally different players..

Well I personally don't think we need Moutinho anymore after getting Dembele. We do need a number 10 though as Sigurdsson just isn't good enough when it comes to the passing, skill, finesse and movement needed in that position IMHO. If we can get an upgrade on Sigurdsson then we'd have a very strong team.

 

[hellava_tough]

Well I personally don't think we need Moutinho anymore after getting Dembele. We do need a number 10 though as Sigurdsson just isn't good enough when it comes to the passing, skill, finesse and movement needed in that position IMHO. If we can get an upgrade on Sigurdsson then we'd have a very strong team.

But I thought Dembele was a number 10 for Fulham, hence the need for Moutinho:

------------------Sandro----------------------

------------------------Moutinho--------------

Lennon----------Dembele---------------Bale

------------------Adebayor-------------------

 

[jonnyp]

But I thought Dembele was a number 10 for Fulham, hence the need for Moutinho:

------------------Sandro----------------------

------------------------Moutinho--------------

Lennon----------Dembele---------------Bale

------------------Adebayor-------------------

Well I don't think that's his best position because he's not that creative. He's not bad at it but I think he's better in the position where you have put Moutinho. He's a good tackler, very strong and almost impossible to knock off the ball. I think he's better employed in the middle just ahead of Sandro/Parker, where AVB has been playing him also, in order to be the bridge between defence/Sandro and our attack/wingers

------------------Sandro----------------------
------------------------Dembele--------------

Lennon---------- No. 10 ---------------Bale

------------------Adebayor-------------------

Just my opinion though.

 

[hellava_tough]

Fair enough

I think he's versatile, that's what makes him such a great player

 

[jonnyp]

Fair enough

I think he's versatile, that's what makes him such a great player

Oh I agree, he is and I'm a big fan, have been for several seasons. The team you posted is very good as well, I just think it would be even better with a really creative no. 10. I think it's the missing piece of the puzzle but I wouldn't be disappointed in any way with your suggestion.

 

[hellava_tough]

Oh I agree, he is and I'm a big fan, have been for several seasons. The team you posted is very good as well, I just think it would be even better with a really creative no. 10. I think it's the missing piece of the puzzle but I wouldn't be disappointed in any way with your suggestion.

Which number 10 would you go after?

 

[jonnyp]

Which number 10 would you go after?

Well, I'm not sure actually. I think our wage structure and lack of CL is a major obstacle. We missed the boat on Oscar. Hazard too, who would be good in that position. We seem to have missed out on Isco this summer and if he continues playing like he has then it won't be long before a big club comes in for him.

Rumors are we're after Ganso, but I'm not convinced by him, seems very injury prone and development has halted according to several reports.

Jovetic would be my first choice, but he's is out of our league unfortunately.

Maybe Alan Dzagoev is more obtainable but not really my first choice, especially if he costs 20 mill+.

 

[Wellspurs]

The prem League is watched all around the world and after Saturday's game all these no 10s will be dying to join us.

 

[Riandor]

The prem League is watched all around the world and after Saturday's game all these no 10s will be dying to join us.

Well not so sure just yet...

However, if we are top 4 come Christmas and maybe the odd team has crashed out of the Champions League or not doing that well in their own leages etc, then who knows who might suddenly be tempted.

If the upheaval looks done and dusted at Spurs and we are playing good stuff, then people can be tempted. If we can do a deal remains to be seen as January as we know is an expensive time to purchase players, but there is optimism IF we keep it going.

 

[KaribYid]

Which number 10 would you go after?

Rafael Van der Vaart

 

[hellava_tough]

Well, I'm not sure actually. I think our wage structure and lack of CL is a major obstacle. We missed the boat on Oscar. Hazard too, who would be good in that position. We seem to have missed out on Isco this summer and if he continues playing like he has then it won't be long before a big club comes in for him.

Rumors are we're after Ganso, but I'm not convinced by him, seems very injury prone and development has halted according to several reports.

Jovetic would be my first choice, but he's is out of our league unfortunately.

Maybe Alan Dzagoev is more obtainable but not really my first choice, especially if he costs 20 mill+.

Some interesting choices in there

To be honest though, I think it comes back to Dembele

The guy is big and strong, got some pacy and stamina too

He can dribble, shoot from range, got a good pass on him and has plenty of Premier League experience

He doesn't mind getting stuck-in too


In all, I think the guy would be great for us as a number 10, especially if we had someone like Moutinho behind him pulling the strings

I don't think there would be many teams in the EPL (or even Europe) that could stand up to a midfield of Sandro, Moutinho, Dembele, Bale and Lennon

Pacy, power, dribbling, tackling, stamina, goals, a counter-attacking threat - that midfield has it all!!

 

[Snarfalicious]

Isco, Willian, and Dzagoev could all be options.

All have the ability to play on the wing as well as more of a conventional #10.

Willian is the oldest of the bunch at 24, Isco at 20, and Dzagoev at 22.

All have been off to good starts which is nice to see. It will be interesting to see where Shakhtar and Malaga are at come the January transfer window as they should be out of the CL.

I still think Willian makes a lot of sense as Costa is ready for more time, and appears to be the odds-on favorite to replace Willian.

Willian looked brilliant against Njoradjalkdjaljand in the first match of the CL group stage for Shakhtar. If I can ever figure out if it's okay for me to post the cut-up on Youtube I'll link the highlights (Had all of his touches/runs/etc. in a clip).