Article by Sam Jenkins
For THBN
With the imminent arrival of Charlton striker, Darren Bent, to Spurs, it begs the question;
Where will he play?
Where will he play?
With Keane and Berbatov in such fine form, and with Jermain Defoe as the third placed striker at the club, I wonder where Bent will fit in?
The papers are reporting that he will join either Spurs or Liverpool, with Spurs being his preferred option as they are offering him first-team football.
Those reports can't be correct, can they? Surely Spurs can't offer Bent first-team football? If they can't, why bring in a £16 million squad player?
If Darren Bent does join Spurs, I can't see him making too many first starts, especially if Keane & Berbatov are in the same form as last season. If he signs, I can see a short lived Spurs career for Mr. Bent.
If Darren Bent does join Spurs, I can't see him making too many first starts, especially if Keane & Berbatov are in the same form as last season. If he signs, I can see a short lived Spurs career for Mr. Bent.
Do you not think that £16 million can be better spent on a left-winger and/or another player?
87 comments:
He's just another Chris Armstrong and 16 mill is way too much for him.
Maybe the club know something we don't.
Maybe they are preparing for Berbatov's departure and so want a replacement.
Jol must see something in him or he wouldnt pay that silly price. I honestly havent seen enough of him. He's got the goals the last two years though aint he
That's rubbish! He ain't going nowhere. Berby is staying at the lane.
COYS
He's a great finisher, but I can't see him disloging Robbie and Berbatov. If he get's pissed off, he'll ask to leave and I can't see us getting our money back from him if he does leave.
For one more season. Maybe Jol knows that after next year a player like berbatov will get HUGE offers from ALL the big clubs. And come on, who could blame him if he did go. I just hope he gets us into champs league next year which i think he will do
Maybe Defoe will leave and so bent is a replacement for him?
I still dont agree with 16 million for him though. how can we possibly sell him on for more if he were to leave?
I think 3.25(comment 1)is right. I can't see Berbatov staying after next season, especially if he does get us in the champions league. His worth will go through the roof.
Where do you think he's going to play? Left back. What kind of question is that?
Bent will be a great signing. Have faith in Jol.
COYS
Maybe Spurs think after next season berb. will decide to pack it in. This is just cover so we do not have to panic next season?
If he gets us into the Champions League, why would he want to go?
Cheers
Oz
Are you retarded 3.28?? It's obvious the guy meant where in the first team is bent supposed to play if keane an berby are up front.
although i don't agree with a price the guy has only just turned 23! i;d like to think we can keep him for the future think in 4 years berba (if still here)will be 32, but i doubt bent would be happy playing 3rd/4th fiddle for that amount of time. Plus what if the worst happens and berba gets injured we all know keano and jd dont work!
Hi Oz,
Unfortunately, money talks. Clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc can offer Berbatov the kind of money he can only dream about.
By next season, he'll be 27 and therefore, the next contract he signs should be the biggest of his career.
With Spurs in the Champions League, you would hope that we could match any club's wage structure, especially when it's regarding keeping our best players?
Regards
Poshspur
THBN
If Berbs helps get us into the CL next season, maybe he'll stay. If not, we'll have bent as first choice. In the meantime what with all the matches we have in the league, Uefa cup, league cup and FA cup, bent will get plenty of chances and Berbs will get the breaks he could have done with last season, especially after a close-knit run of games. Jol has said before how rotation is the key with so many games during a season. Can't see Keane or Defoe going anywhere. They & Berbs together scored about 60 goals last year in all.
Bent is a proven goalscorer. Robbie seems to be drifting into a midfield role. So there may be room for all 3 of them. Defoe will remain on the bench and come on when needed.
I think Berbatov will leave.
Well said EL.
I don't understand these articles about Bent. Every top club has 4 high class strikers. Tottenham are signing Bent so that they too have 4 top strikers and he simply replaces Mido. If a so called 'top 4' side signed him no one would make such a fuss. Tottenham have the money and Jol is attempting to build a quality squad with 22 class players. It seems that some Tottenham fans haven't quite got used to this. We are a massive club and to win the league this is exactly the sort of player we need when Berba needs a rest and who can also partner him if needs be. Start thinking big - we are trying to qualify for the Champions League and win the league.
Realistically I think if we every want to challenge for champions league and the title then we need a squad bigger and better than just eleven players and I see this as such a positive move. being able to sub berby with a talent such as Bent is great for us exactly how all the other big teams do and if we are going to be playing lots of games it lkeeps the team fresh. I would hate to see berby or any of the first team players burn out simply because we dont have great replacement players. And lets face it a healthy competition within the club fighting for places will raise the standard even more of the first team and our chances of real glory this season. Bring home some silverware.
It's possible that Jol might play 4-3-3 next season with Robbie Keane playing behind the front two of Bent and Berbatov or playing Keane on the left. But to play all three I think that a strong midfielder is also needed who can run with the ball with speed. I'm not convinced with Jenas. I think he's a bit lightweight in the middle. Maybe Zokora can do that job and Huddlestone could sit in front of the back 4 as protection. Zokora started looking good towards the end of last season and I reckon he will be much better this season coming.
Is this the same webshite that stated we were only going to sign Kaboul and no one else until the middle of August? Wots all this about Bent then?
The writing is on the wall.... We would only splash 15 mil on Bent, if Berby is on his way. Good bye Berbatov, hello Bent! How thinks change......
Looks like Berbatov could be on his way
Would rather spend 16 million somewhere else. e.g LH side
guys imagine a 4-3-3 with keane and bent on the wings. It wud mean zakora in centre with lennon and either SWP or MGP with jenas a gds sub and others. Kaboul provides gd cover and we will beat the gunners
Whenever I've seen Charlton play, Bent has spent an awful lot of time working in from the right as opposed to right up the gut. I think that he provides us with a different look and just might be able to spell Lennon a few times, which will hopefully keep Lennon fresh. He crosses the ball well and would really give us some great options up front. We could field Berbatov, Keane and Bent to rest Jenas and to really put pressure on defences. I can't believe the money being discussed, but it's the way of the game and it'll only get worse when we qualify for CL. Next year we'll be complaining about 20M squad players. Sign Kaboul, Bent and Sneijder and I believe as Spurs will be a team to be reckoned with next year. COYS get it done and get whatever you can for the driftwood (Lee, Mido, Gardner, Murphy). If the four can bring in 16M then I could live with that trade. Drenthe would be worth a flyer as well if the price is right.
BERBA IS GOD!A Legend in the making. Of course he won't be leaving. Bent and Defoe could be rotated as it would be a heavy season with the FA Cup,Carling Cup,UEFA Cup and the Premier league. Robbie Keane should play in the hole behind Berba and Bent.He's more of playmaker and is a very intelligent player. Defoe could come in for Keane or Bent at a later stage. Have to change the formation though. Together with Drenthe and Davies ,we would be an informidable force.Come on you SPURS!!! Take over the GUNNERS!!!
DIE-HARD SPURS FAN
Theres no way bent is worth 16 mill and i think that he would just warm up the bench for spurs really, with berba and keano on fine form. I think if defoe was to make way wouldnt someone like klaas jan huntelaar be better dan bent because he would not mind being 4 striker also a lot cheaper 2.
Theres no way bent is worth 16 mill and i think that he would just warm up the bench for spurs really, with berba and keano on fine form. I think if defoe was to make way wouldnt someone like klaas jan huntelaar be better dan bent because he would not mind being 4 striker also a lot cheaper 2.
Bent has already said he wants to play with Berbatov next season, so I think he'll start upfront next season and Robbie Keane has enough Bite in his play to play the attacking central midfield role.
How Defoe and Jenas would feel about that is another thing.
It does seem way too much and it is strange how there is no intrest from Man U so you have to assume it is insurance against Berbatov leaving, even at the end of next season and us being left with nobody. You do need four strikers so he will get enough chances next season. He would come in as number three so any long lay-off for Berbatov or Keane and he is in. Selling Defoe would help fund the purchase and maybe if the boy Dixon is as good as his press then he will end up as number four.
Last season we wanted 4 top quality strikers fighting for positions. this season it is no different Mido has to go he is crap Bent is his replacement.
Hope my wish comes true!
Robinson
Chimbonda Dawson Kaboul Bale
Lennon Zokora Drenthe
Keane
Bent Berba
What do you think guys!!!
DIE-HARD SPURS FAN
First of all the Club has stated that it will have 4 strikers and as none of our reserves make the grade yet then it is obvious that we will be in the hunt for a PROVEN PL goalscorer.
Of course the price will be high due to his age, being English, being a proven goalscorer and because of the huge amount of cash being thrown at the Clubs by TV companies - ALL transfers are going through the roof. Bent is worth what the Market demands and that is the price - I didn't quite hear you all complaining about our mugging Man Utd for £18.6 million for Carrick.
Bent is a replacement for Mido - an expensive one but a replacement nonetheless.
at least Bent knows offside rules much better than Defoe
why do we even bother,what will be will be.we cant change any thing just trust in big M JOL.
so 4.03, you put club captain, King on the bench then....
have you seen kaboul play anayway?
This site is crap - a good article for once that asks questions to prompt debate. But to be the very next article after the 'Kaboul will be the last signing...dadada' afterbirth how can you really pertain to be a serious THFC related website.
You generally talk more zhit than the gooners, poshspur.Cnut.
(i am from the skool of cane em hard, toughen em up, lets see what tosh we can come up with next skool of thought) What you got for me?
Its simple-bent is a replacement for the soon to depart Jermaine defoe. He has two years left to run on his current deal and is reluctant to sign another one. Spurs are going to ship him out to newcastle/liverpool where he will get a decent run in the team after firmly slipping down the pecking order behind robbie and berba!
I personally think signing bent is good business if we can get 10+ for defoe and 3-4 for mido. We will have three premiership grade strikers (with any two of three able to form a partnership) to rotate through another hopefully very busy season.
COYS
Yeh I agree last preseason we were playing with 3 up front maybe thats BMJ's idea for nxt season
Robbo
Chimb Ledders Daws BAE
Lennon Zok Bale
Keane
Berbs Bent
Jol has always considered Keane more of a creative player, he ideally wants to play him in central midfield. bent will allow him to do that. Bent will be a revelation, but i guess we should expect that with that pricetag. only 23 too, will only get better
Ok a question for all of you knocking Bents fee, if hope for gods sake not that Berbs breaks his leg during the Sunderland game would you rather Keane & Defoe play up front or Keane & Bent or Bent & Defoe. Keane and Defoe cant play together and although We would like to pay less we're showing we'll pay what it takes to challenge the top 4 if necessary. I believe this is a good buy and will also give us the opp to rest Berbs when needed.
Anon 4:03
You left out our captain and arguably the best footballer in thge premiership Ledely king
King is out injured and might be away for some time. Kaboul to take his place for the time being. Of course, King is our captain and is inspirational but for now, I guess Kaboul is the next best bet to take his place.
DIE-HARD SPURS FAN
I've seen Kaboul play for Auxerre twice. Young, strong in the tackles and made his presence felt in those games. Maybe too early for us to judge, but this guy is a tough nut to crack.Let's see!
DIE-HARD SPURS FAN
Agree with you 412,spot on
How can you seriously put articles like this up when only 2 days ago you were saying we wouldn't sign anyone till the end of the window?? Its so shit on here that I always read your articles just so I can laugh at how shit it is on here. Which is probably why you do it.
Robbo
Chim,Daws,Kaboul,Bale
Lennon,Zokora,Drenthe/MGPedersen Berbatov-
Keane, Bent
£17m is far too much to pay for Bent, especially if you consider how much we paid for Berby (£10.9). Either Jol and Commoli know something we don't (i.e Berb is leaving - please God NO) or they've just been a given shed load of cash to spend in the close season in which case I'm all for it!!! Lets spend £10m on Davies, and a further 10 on Sneijder!!
no king when fit 429
he will pay wiv berbatov wiv keane behind for creativity and jol will now go for drenthe of feyenoord , davies of west brom and snider of ajax
Davies n Bent r not worth that much money even though i think there good players but i think Kaboul would be a good buy n Drenthe n Pedersen would add some strength, skill width n speed which is what Spurs need n instead of havin a playmaker jus have Berby behind Keane n Bent.
Saw kaboul twice and a few seconds clip on you tube would not enough to put Kaboul in place of England Defender and Spurs Captain King in the the staring line up
3-1 up against Chelsea = Berb goes off - we draw.
2-0 up against Arsenal = Berb goes off - we draw.
Keano cannot hold the line on his own, and defoe/keane are not an effective partnership. Bent will be brought in to offer a combination for keano/defoe should berbs be rested/injured.
Man, wheres the left wing?
4.29,
MG Pedersen hell no!Downing, no way! They're only brilliant in patches.Good crossers of the ball, other than that nothing spectacular. If only we could get Ryan Babel! But he might be a Gunner soon. Heard of Blase Matuidi from Troyes. Wonder how is he? Any idea? Seems Commoli's watching him closely. Would love Nakamura to come.Saw his goal against Man U. Awesome free-kick taker. One of the better Japanese players.
DIE-HARD SPURS FAN
bent may not be worth 16mil but he scores goals with a shit team, imagine what he could do with the players we've got. my only complaint is we should be focusing on getting in a quality left winger.
I hear that he's versatile:
Bent
Bent Bent Bent Bent
Bent Bent Bent
Bent
Bent Bent
What do you mean where will he play? Err.. in goal? Up front you numpty! Where he averages about a goal evey other game in the Prem.
Why the hell is everyone slating this guy before we've even signed him? He just turned down £75k from West Ham becaus the likelehood he would rather play for us and in Europe and unlike Scott "I'm a spurs fan" Parker wasn't imterested in how much he could earn Are you all missing how much of a breath of fresh air this is, this combined with the fact he is young, English and a proven goal scorer in the Prem is why WE SHOULD be signing him.
I agree £16m is a lot of money, but we have to be realistic here if Berba doesn't sign another contract before the end of this coming season, he's off, FACT. Carrick proves this and I tell you what we won't get a striker with all Bent's credentials for £16m, and it's not as though he chooses his transfer fee, Charlton do. It might even spur Berby on to think these guys aren't relying on me, this club is going places, and he might, just might sign that contract, as taht's teh club he wants to be at. In my mind this is a sign of the Spurs board seeing the bigger picture, and we should applaud it. Chris Armstong, please!
Another point if we sell Defoe for lets say £10m we have in effect upgraded Defoe to Bent for £6m. Fine by me, what can Defoe do Bent can't. And whether you like it or not Defoe and Keane as a pair don't work.
One last point all I here from fellow spurs fans is the left sided player problem. How many left sided players can you think of that you want at our club, and how many of those can we actually sign? Or would you rather we wasted another £5m on an Andy Reid? If it's not available we can't sign it? Signing Bent might even open up the poss of a 4-3-3, that's on the way to total football my friends.
well said anonymous 4.12 - some people have short memories dont they. Last season didn't start for Berbatov until November and then Keane got injured - why then is it wrong to be able to cover and swap around - We need a decent squad if we are to be as good as everybody wants us to be!
yes brain but Where will he play?
I think he would do a job right back
Calling Poshspur and the THBN team I want answers it seems you only respond when people give their name mine is Bernard, you said and I quote “The same source that reported the deal to THBN has informed us that Martin Jol will not be spending any more money in the transfer market until the last two weeks of the transfer window (approximately 15th August 2007 - 31st August 2007)” the deal being Kaboul so was this just what I imagine, a purely speculative article just to get hits. Does this blog have any credibility what so ever?
Are you going to respond or hide
you boys berba is staying trust this comment man utd have spent all thier cash for this summer dont think they have another 30mill kickin round do u
Absolute ******* disagree if Bent is signed for 15 million +. How can the management team at Spurs think this is a good piece of business. He is a better player than Chris Armstrong, but it is still a similar type of signing. Why does the club do this kind of thing when you think they are finally moving in the right direction. It makes me so mad.
£17million I don't think so, why waste it on Bent? I would like to see a left midfielder sign for us and a centre back, not an average striker.
The majority of website readers have voted 'no' to Bent's 16-million pounds signing. But will that deter Martin Jol from signing the player? Not likely. Only by this time next year Jol will be struggling to offload Bent for a substantial financial loss.
Easy answer keano will play just behind berby and dazza. also berby & keano will only play in 75% of games
Berbs is staying for sure!
Jol see's Bent as added pace up front, look at it this way last year away from home we struggled to get behind the defence's.
Bent will for sure will add pace.
16 millon bit over the odds, but still only 23!
You all seem to have missed something - Jol has said more than once that he wants two players for each position.
If fat lazy twat Mido goes (please) buying Bent may just be an alternative to Berbatov in Jol's preferred "big man/small man" strike partnership.
In spite of the doubts about the value of Bent he's pound for pound better than the £4m paid for Mido. Buying him doesn't mean Berba will go ( he might but I doubt it for next season) or that Defoe will go ( if he does he's unlikely to go outside of the top 4).
We know that Jol wants to compete ( as we all do) for all four competitions which means 55/60 games. Having a stronger squad than last season is no mystery - it might just mean that Levy & Co are serious about WINNING SOMETHING!!!
whats wrong with 4 strikers?
berbs and keano
defoe covering keano and bent covering all three with us put our selves about in all cup comps and even top 4 spot we will need 4 top quality strikers to do so! i dont have a problem with benty, as long aqs we get a left winger!!
Bent drifts out on to the left hand side when he plays maybe we will use him like the Scummers did with Wiltord on the right and have him as a thrid striker/winger?
Let me explain something to all you negative Spurs fans......
It does not matter how much we pay for bent. He is a proven PL scorer in a shit team, most of the time up front on his own. if anyone who knows about footbal could see, he works his fucking socks off ( positive number one). He declines the spammers offer of 1st team football and 75k a week ( positive number 2). Then he says he wants to come to us....knowing he is facing spells on the bench cuz of the strikers we already got, so obviously, that dont faze him and he won't be a whinger ( positive number 3). If this guy has got all these qualities, surley 16- 17 mill aint to bad a deal? Anyway, so far Levy, Comilli & BMJ know what they are doing....so far so good as far as i'm concerned. We Will finish Top 4 for sure this coming season, this is the time to step up another level....so trust in all concerned, get behind the team and some of you will be on this site next year talking about buying world class players for the CL. ( I have already got 50 quid each way at 66/1 spurs to win PL....ok maybe they wont win it, but 3rd place is a REAL possibility) COYS
Bent will be a useful addition will give us a proven striker to provide different options whether or not Berbatov is goin(its possible over next season)we may need to play Defoe and Bent as an optional pair
I trust the board totally - 100%
They got a lot of stick for selling kanoute and buying the new rebrov. Now look, if they feel the time is right to sell berbs at the end of next seaon with bent as the long term replacement and youth coming through i will not argue - Top three and a final here we come - please stay defoe.
COYS COYS COYS COYS COYS COYS COYS
think about it rite dis is d way jol is thinkin if he buys d chap for 16 million and sells mido for 4 million which is gonna happen its like gettin bent for like 11 million which isn't dat bad like
I dunno if anyone has seen but Henry is on his way to Barcelona for £16mill! and we're buying BENT? for the same dosh?! can only fink 1 team is getting turned over here?
UNLUCKY BARCA!!
What a shame the gooners have lost their captain! and the managers on his way to real madrid come monday!lol
such a big stadium for such a shite team with no players, no manager and no chance at beating us to top four!!
cmon the lillywhites!!
IT IS NOT JOL WHO IDENTIFIES & BUYS THE PLAYERS! IT IS DAMIEN COMOLLI - SPURS' SPORTING DIRECTOR.
ARSE!!!!
Bent is exactly what we need to get a balanced attack..he gives us options.
Neither Keano or Berbatov are particularly quick..Bent is.
Neither Keano or Berbatov are traditional battling centre forwards..Bent is.
We paid over the odds but we got the player we need.
COYS
think about what would we have if berbs got injured (touch wood he doesnt) we have naff all but now we got bent we have back up and we can play berbs and keano up front with bent as a 3rd striker
It's obvious. Defoe and Mido will leave - there combined transfer fee will almost cover the cost of Bent - and we will play next season with three main strikers in the squad. Both Berba and Bent can play up front on their own if needed and this will work particularly well on tough European away nights. This will also allow us to have a good creative attacking player in an advanced midfield position such as Taarabt. It will also give Peckhart and Barnard on oportunity. I also expect us to sign another young striker or creative/attacking midfield player as well as a left winger. Bent has a proven goalsoring record and is still young. He will be a great signing for the club and will fit well into our signing policy and playing system. Have faith in Jol et al, look how far we have come in two and a half seasons under their leadership.
Can't see the point in buying him as we have defoe, and he is not an improvement, also he is only worth about half the quoted figure, and he will be 3rd inline. All we need is some up n coming championship proved striker to add to the bench warming party, not bent, and a merrygoround for mido & defoe.
Defoe will prob go now, so 3 strikers in to 2 positions over 60 games is 40 starts each. That's where he'll play for f**k sake!
Too much money though, thanks to west ham
Bent plays for Charlton Athletic. He scores 20 goals a season in the toughest league in the world, how is that NOT worth 16 mill? Transfer fee's are increasing every year because of the increase in funds coming to larger clubs... i think this is a great buy and i know for sure that Bent will offer the versatility we need up front in order to give our bigger stars (aka Berbs) a rest he deserves.
What about in the domestic cups? Berbatov should NOT have to be playing against championship sides and lower. Bent will offer the domestic rotation option that the top four employ yet still be proven enough at a high level to get the job done.
Good buy in my opinion and will take a hell of a lot of pressure off berbs.
AlexTheYid
I would play this team:
------------Robinson----------------Chimbonda--King--Dawson------Bale------Lennon-----Zokora-----???---------------------Keane------------------------Berbatov----Bent---------
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