The January transfer window has never been an ideal time to buy players, Âbut it does give Premier League clubs an important opportunity to offload some deadwood before the season’s final run-in.Something Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino should bear in mind – his Tottenham side are currently caught in transition and there’s a number of players falling by the wayside, struggling to fit into the Argentine’s energetic philosophy.Getting rid of some fringe players will free up funds for more recruitment in the summer too, and thus, here’s a list of FIVE players the Lilywhites could look to axe when the winter window opens.
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BENOIT ASSOU-EKOTTO
In Ben Davies, Danny Rose, Kyle Naughton, Jan Vertonghen and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Spurs possess five players capable of playing at left-back. No club in the world needs five potential No.3’s – an issue the Lilywhites will surely look to address when the transfer window reopens.
And in regards to potential departures, the Cameroon international is by far the likeliest candidate.
He recently received a three-match ban for supporting Nicolas Anelka’s infamous ‘Quinelle’ gesture on Twitter:
That translates as “I congratulate you on your beautiful quinelle” – something a large contingent of the White Hart Lane faithful still rather shocked and appalled by, considering the salute’s anti-Semitic connotations.
But even if he was available, the 30 year-old wouldn’t be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s match day plans; despite having the early rounds of the Europa League to issue fringe players as much time as possible, Assou-Ekotto is yet to feature competitively under the Argentine, having also been left out of Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad.
Indeed, after a rather forgettable loan spell in the Championship with QPR last season, it’s alleged Spurs offered the defender out on a free transfer during the latter stages of the summer window:
But with a viable suitor yet to emerge for Spurs stalwart, who has made 155 top flight appearances for the north London side, Tottenham may be stuck with him until the summer when his contract expires. This headbutt on Cameroon team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo at the World Cup certainly hasn’t improved Assou-Ekotto’s limited market appeal: //www.youtube.com/embed/d_MtcEFnVdw?rel=0
Likely selling fee: £0
Roberto Soldado
How long can this sorry state of affairs go on for? Tottenham splashed out a club-record £26million on Roberto Soldado, but the Spain striker has found just six Premier League goals since – four of which were from the penalty spot. There’s certainly been moments of brilliance along the way, giving a glimpse into what the former Valencia star is capable of under the right circumstances:
//www.youtube.com/embed/aI_HGuZbPO8?rel=0 But measuring in at 5 foot 10, bearing no particular pace or power, Soldado has always looked out of sorts with the Premier League and even more so, Tottenham’s style of play. In 2011/2012 and 2012/13, the Lilywhites recorded the second-most shots per match of any Premier League side, 47% and 56% respectively of which were from outside the box, yet the Spaniard could count could count his amount of goals from over 18 yards for Los Che on one hand. With Spurs seemingly keen to recoup as much of their investment as possible before the 29 year-old loses all resale value, rumours liking him with a move away from White Hart Lane are not hard to find:
And having issued Soldado even less appearances than 21 year-old Harry Kane this season, Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to stand in the way of a January departure. Likely selling fee:£12-£15million
Andros Townsend
Andros Townsend was labelled as England’s new hero when he netted this stunning strike against Montenegro to secure his country’s place at the World Cup last October: //www.youtube.com/embed/BAkOjFq1_Tc?rel=0
But based on his woeful form since, the 23 year-old has already experienced the highest point of his career. Indeed, last season he took 56 attempts at goal, yet, with only one actually hitting the target – believe it or not, a misguided cross which somehow looped it’s way over Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan – his conversion rate was a pathetic 2%.
The kind of player who appears to revel in the fact he can nearly score from anywhere on the pitch, despite never actually finding the net, Townsend’s become a huge frustration for the fans and seemingly Mauricio Pochettino, who has issued him just two substitute appearances in the Premier League thus far. The Lilywhites allegedly tried to offload the former QPR loanee during the summer, suggesting a swap deal for Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez, and they’ll likely attempt to rekindle this deal in January.
The winger may feel he needs a change of scene too, with Roy Hodgson warning that without regular game time, Townsend won’t be selected for future England squads:
Likely transfer fee:£7million-£10million, or a sum to that value taken off Jay Rodriguez’ price-tag.
AARON LENNON
Another winger who’s Tottenham career could be coming to an abrupt end – according to reports this morning, the Lilywhites are set to sell Aaron Lennon:
As the headline claims, the 27 year-old doesn’t want to leave, but he’s only mustered up one Premier League start under Mauricio Pochettino and is unlikely to see more game-time with Erik Lamela now beginning to find form.
Lennon has been an incredible servant to the Lilywhites – he’s made 353 appearances for them since moving to north London from Leeds United way back in 2005. Here’s a look at some of his highlights for Spurs:
//www.youtube.com/embed/m_o-6PvL8qw?rel=0
But after nine years, Lennon’s Tottenham tenure has likely run its course. In terms of potential buyers, QPR and Stoke were both linked on deadline day and could reignite their interest in the new year.
Likely transfer fee:£6million-£9million
Moussa Dembele
Powerhouse midfielder Moussa Dembele has muscled his way back into Tottenham’s starting Xi in recent weeks, having spent much of last season on the peripheries of the squad.
But reports claim Everton are planning a January swoop:
And having never really replicated the form that earned him a £15million move from Fulham to White Hart Lane in summer 2012, as shown in the video below, the Lilywhites could be convinced into cashing in on the Belgium international.
//www.youtube.com/embed/xCZotD1jC9c?rel=0
Especially considering Spurs are hardly short of imposing, physical figures – like Dembele- in the middle of the park. Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Stambouli all fit that mould too.
Likely transfer fee:£8million-£10million
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