Player Watch: Nabil Bentaleb

[Spursidol]

I think Alli is potentially an upgrade on the role Mason plays. He is more box to box than Bentaleb. As you say, this would tend to suggest Bentaleb playing in front of the back 4 which IMO is the worst role for him, especially if we are under pressure. Bentaleb is at his best when we are not defending and we have possession of the ball.

Think in Poch's formation he wants a CM 2 to share both quick forward passing/recycling and trhe defensive duties - and if you look at it whilst Mason gets the publicity for the foreward passing, he also makes a fair number of tacles and interceptions, and Bentaleb (particularly more recently) has been making his fair share of forward movements as well as the defensive side. We can see that partly because Poch was very quick to sell the likes of Sandro, a very good DM but whose passing was not good enough for Poch's type of game.

We need another pair like that (purely because we cannot play either in all 60 odd games we will have played this season by the end) so if Alli plays as a CM for Spurs next season (which I think is likely) then both he and his partner will be expected to share duties in much the same way as Mason and Bentaleb are doing this season - and its worth remembering that the pair have played lress than 50 PL games between them and less than 20 together so they are still refining how they play together.

Of course its always likely that one will be expected to be better defensively or offensively than the other so at the moment it looks like Bentaleb/Stambouli will be the better defensively and Mason/Alli/Carroll the offensive ones next season, but as I say its about how the partnerships work - and it was always a surprise to me both the way Bentaleb emerged overnight but also that he emerged as a DM when he had generally played further forward for the u18's and u21's under Sherwood/Ramsey.

 

[Japhet]

Think in Poch's formation he wants a CM 2 to share both quick forward passing/recycling and trhe defensive duties - and if you look at it whilst Mason gets the publicity for the foreward passing, he also makes a fair number of tacles and interceptions, and Bentaleb (particularly more recently) has been making his fair share of forward movements as well as the defensive side. We can see that partly because Poch was very quick to sell the likes of Sandro, a very good DM but whose passing was not good enough for Poch's type of game.

We need another pair like that (purely because we cannot play either in all 60 odd games we will have played this season by the end) so if Alli plays as a CM for Spurs next season (which I think is likely) then both he and his partner will be expected to share duties in much the same way as Mason and Bentaleb are doing this season - and its worth remembering that the pair have played lress than 50 PL games between them and less than 20 together so they are still refining how they play together.

Of course its always likely that one will be expected to be better defensively or offensively than the other so at the moment it looks like Bentaleb/Stambouli will be the better defensively and Mason/Alli/Carroll the offensive ones next season, but as I say its about how the partnerships work - and it was always a surprise to me both the way Bentaleb emerged overnight but also that he emerged as a DM when he had generally played further forward for the u18's and u21's under Sherwood/Ramsey.

I'm not very impressed with Bentaleb defensively. I'd much rather he played the quick fire passes he's so good at and pushed the team forwards. Defensively I think he's often caught ball watching and doesn't track runners well. The problem usually occurs through us losing possession cheaply up front and our back 4 often get called out for looking shambolic, but in truth I think a large part of it is the Mason/Bentaleb lack of defensive savvy. With Capoue seemingly on the scrap heap we only have Stambouli, but I'm always happy to see him on the pitch. Capoue is a real shame because he's a very accomplished player. His stats put him way out in front of all the others but it seems Poch doesn't want him.

 

[Spursidol]

I'm not very impressed with Bentaleb defensively. I'd much rather he played the quick fire passes he's so good at and pushed the team forwards. Defensively I think he's often caught ball watching and doesn't track runners well. The problem usually occurs through us losing possession cheaply up front and our back 4 often get called out for looking shambolic, but in truth I think a large part of it is the Mason/Bentaleb lack of defensive savvy. With Capoue seemingly on the scrap heap we only have Stambouli, but I'm always happy to see him on the pitch. Capoue is a real shame because he's a very accomplished player. His stats put him way out in front of all the others but it seems Poch doesn't want him.

Capoue I thought looked very good in pre-season, and I thought that Sherwood had got it badly wrong in not playing him more (he actually played a number of games just after Sherwood became manager but was dropped after some poor performances).

However whilst starting this season well he was dropped after a run of poor performances and it seemed like either he couldn't maintain his early season form (playing mainly once a week) or he couldn't cope with the intensity of the PL, amongst any other factors.

Think a lot of our current problems are caused by the 3 AM's behind Kane losing the ball a lot more than they should be which in turn means the CM's and defence are having to work a lot more than they should be - its also a reason why Kane is having to drop deep to get the ball. With better ball retention from the front 3 AM's a few problems would go away - and we'd probably conced a few less goals too.

 

[Larryjanta]

Don't want to derail this thread with talk of Capoue but literally the only thing Capoue is better than either Bentaleb and Mason at (and even then it is only slight) is tackling. He is slow, can't pass, always out of position and adds nothing going forward. That Poch would rather play Paulinho in CM says it all IMO

 

[Chris12]

Don't want to derail this thread with talk of Capoue but literally the only thing Capoue is better than either Bentaleb and Mason at (and even then it is only slight) is tackling. He is slow, can't pass, always out of position and adds nothing going forward. That Poch would rather play Paulinho in CM says it all IMO

A lack of a proper tackler in the middle is whats making us ship so many goals

 

[Larryjanta]

A lack of a proper tackler in the middle is whats making us ship so many goals

Disagree slightly on this and I think bentaleb and Mason will get better with more experience (not even at tacking but tracking men and being better positioned) but, also, I would take the few extra goals we concede for what, I consider, is way more goals scored by having a two of Mason and Bentaleb

 

[Chris12]

Disagree slightly on this and I think bentaleb and Mason will get better with more experience (not even at tacking but tracking men and being better positioned) but, also, I would take the few extra goals we concede for what, I consider, is way more goals scored by having a two of Mason and Bentaleb

But as seen we aren't always going to score, but at moment seems like we are always shipping goals. I would just take one out just to help defence and offer a bit of protection, and personally take out Mason. He does give us drive, but does he play a huge part in how many goals we score? Plus it could allow Bentaleb to push forward and I rate Bentalebs passing higher than Masons' at the moment.

 

[Japhet]

Disagree slightly on this and I think bentaleb and Mason will get better with more experience (not even at tacking but tracking men and being better positioned) but, also, I would take the few extra goals we concede for what, I consider, is way more goals scored by having a two of Mason and Bentaleb

Based on what exactly? IMO their inclusion has coincided with Harry Kane's, who works his nuts off and knows where the goal is. Can't see that Mason and Bentaleb have a whole lot to do with it.

 

[Larryjanta]

But as seen we aren't always going to score, but at moment seems like we are always shipping goals. I would just take one out just to help defence and offer a bit of protection, and personally take out Mason. He does give us drive, but does he play a huge part in how many goals we score? Plus it could allow Bentaleb to push forward and I rate Bentalebs passing higher than Masons' at the moment.

Nah, can't agree with this though you make a compelling argument.

 

[Larryjanta]

Based on what exactly? IMO their inclusion has coincided with Harry Kane's, who works his nuts off and knows where the goal is. Can't see that Mason and Bentaleb have a whole lot to do with it.

We see the game differently. That's cool, you're wrong though

 

[npearl4spurs]

Set to sign a new contract, according to ESPN.

Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is poised to sign a new long-term deal at White Hart Lane, sources have told ESPN FC.

Spurs are keen to reward Bentaleb, 20, for his progress over the last 18 months with a new improved contract, with the Algeria international one of the lowest earners at the club.

Bentaleb broke into the Tottenham first-team last season under Tim Sherwood, making 20 appearances before going on to play for Algeria at last summer's World Cup finals.

The all-action midfielder has built on his successful breakthrough season, establishing himself as a regular in new coach Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Bentaleb, who came through Tottenham's youth ranks, still has three years to run on his current deal, but Spurs are keen to tie him down for a longer period.

Harry Kane and Ryan Mason have both recently signed new long-term contracts, and Bentaleb is set to follow his teammates in pledging his future to the club with the trio seen as key components of Tottenham's future.

 

[chinaman]

Good for him and the club. How much will he make, 20k/week?

 

[npearl4spurs]

Good for him and the club. How much will he make, 20k/week?

I rated funny because he is worth way more than that, but he seems such humble guy that he would probably be buzzing.

 

[markiespurs]

If true, then a new and improved contract for Bentaleb is totally deserved.

 

[chinaman]

I rated funny because he is worth way more than that, but he seems such humble guy that he would probably be buzzing.

I would rather not rush in with a mega contract. 20-25k/w with an annual improvement and roll-over 5-year contract if he continues to star in his job would be good. Don't want him to go wild partying and sniffing cocaine like the Ferdinand brothers if he's suddenly got so much money he doesn't know what to do with it.

 

[npearl4spurs]

I would rather not rush in with a mega contract. 20-25k/w with an annual improvement and roll-over 5-year contract if he continues to star in his job would be good. Don't want him to go wild partying and sniffing cocaine like the Ferdinand brothers if he's suddenly got so much money he doesn't know what to do with it.

100% agree just saying he is worth more.

 

[bat-chain]

Seriously happy with this of it's true.

Sign him up for the next decade, I love the man.

It's such a shame his name doesn't scan too for chants, I'd sing about him for days!

Fuck it I've just come up with along the lines of Off to Wembley one..

BENTALEB, BENTALEB
HIS FIRST NAME IS NABIL
AND HE'S BOSSING THE MIDFIELD
BENTALEB, BENTALEB

 

[yusrisafri]

NABIL BENTALEB'S THE NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S HIS NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S THE NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S HIS NAME

To the tune of Go West from Pet Shop Boys

 

[Larryjanta]

Really hope this is true. Would tie up our kids to long deals and help with some longevity. Would like to see Eriksen get one as well.

 

[jambreck]

NABIL BENTALEB'S THE NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S HIS NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S THE NAME
NABIL BENTALEB'S HIS NAME

To the tune of Go West from Pet Shop Boys

Whose name?