Is former target Bernard the answer to Spurs left side problem
Tottenham pursued diminutive Brazilian winger come attacking midfielder Bernard last summer but he eventually moved to Ukraine.
In 2012 his side Atletico Mineiro finished second in the table and he picked up the best newcomer award after scoring 11 goals in 36 games.
The 21 year-old was wanted by Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk who bid £22 million for him, an offer his club accepted but his agent, also his father, said he wanted to join FC Porto in Portugal, a regular route for Brazilians.
Arsenal and Tottenham were both trying to sign the pacey and skilful wide man but couldn't reach an acceptable deal with his club.
One month later he eventually did leave for the Ukraniians for £25 million on wages of £71,358 a week (£3.71 million a year) for £22 million, a figure neither Spurs nor Arsenal wanted to pay, or pay in one lump sum.
The Brazilian international who is in their squad for the World Cup scored 2 goals in 17 games this season and is concerned by the political upheaval and riots in Ukraine. He is looking for a way out after just one season but his 5 year contract makes securing his signature difficult. The longer on a contract the higher the fee.
His valuation has reduced so he could come back on our radar with wages not being a problem, however buying players from Eastern Europe is never easy.
The left side of Spurs side is our weakness and Bernard plays left wing. He would fit a 4-3-3 system under Frank de Boer and the 4-2-3-1 of Mauricio Pochettino. Quite how much defensive cover he would provide being only 5'4" (1.63m).
He would struggle in the air but is quick so could get back to cover, quite how strong he is in the tackle I don't know but both Eriksen and Townsend are not the greatest defensively either.
Recent Stories:
Will Sandro stay or not
Former Ajax centre-back Toby Alderweireld on Spurs radar again
Spurs rival Man U for Lazio left-back
Rose replacement targetted
The hope is that Eriksen is not played wide left next season but more central and Sigurdsson is not a wide player either so Bernard would be fighting for a place with Townsend and perhaps Lamela, although he looks better on the right to me.
Having signed Lamela and with Townsend only just starting his career do we need another wide man? left-back, centre-back, striker and keeper look to be more important areas for us at the moment.
Daniel Levy says we will only strengthen in key areas but a new manager may have other ideas of what those key areas are, in the meantime we have to prepare for the window.
The World Cup gives us some breathing space to assess our options but the Ukranians may want to much money for him and another expensive unproven player in the Premier League would be yet another gamble.
In 2012 his side Atletico Mineiro finished second in the table and he picked up the best newcomer award after scoring 11 goals in 36 games.
The 21 year-old was wanted by Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk who bid £22 million for him, an offer his club accepted but his agent, also his father, said he wanted to join FC Porto in Portugal, a regular route for Brazilians.
Arsenal and Tottenham were both trying to sign the pacey and skilful wide man but couldn't reach an acceptable deal with his club.
One month later he eventually did leave for the Ukraniians for £25 million on wages of £71,358 a week (£3.71 million a year) for £22 million, a figure neither Spurs nor Arsenal wanted to pay, or pay in one lump sum.
The Brazilian international who is in their squad for the World Cup scored 2 goals in 17 games this season and is concerned by the political upheaval and riots in Ukraine. He is looking for a way out after just one season but his 5 year contract makes securing his signature difficult. The longer on a contract the higher the fee.
"There is a large turnover of players that pleases no one in the squad.
"In Brazil I was used to playing on Wednesdays and Sundays and in Shakhtar I have not played more than 25 games so far.
"Playing very little is hard for me, it's complicated. I hope this will change.
"After the World Cup, I leave my future in God's hands.
"We had offers from Tottenham and according to my Atletico president Arsenal were interested too, but didn't have the money."
His valuation has reduced so he could come back on our radar with wages not being a problem, however buying players from Eastern Europe is never easy.
The left side of Spurs side is our weakness and Bernard plays left wing. He would fit a 4-3-3 system under Frank de Boer and the 4-2-3-1 of Mauricio Pochettino. Quite how much defensive cover he would provide being only 5'4" (1.63m).
He would struggle in the air but is quick so could get back to cover, quite how strong he is in the tackle I don't know but both Eriksen and Townsend are not the greatest defensively either.
Recent Stories:
Will Sandro stay or not
Former Ajax centre-back Toby Alderweireld on Spurs radar again
Spurs rival Man U for Lazio left-back
Rose replacement targetted
The hope is that Eriksen is not played wide left next season but more central and Sigurdsson is not a wide player either so Bernard would be fighting for a place with Townsend and perhaps Lamela, although he looks better on the right to me.
Having signed Lamela and with Townsend only just starting his career do we need another wide man? left-back, centre-back, striker and keeper look to be more important areas for us at the moment.
Daniel Levy says we will only strengthen in key areas but a new manager may have other ideas of what those key areas are, in the meantime we have to prepare for the window.
The World Cup gives us some breathing space to assess our options but the Ukranians may want to much money for him and another expensive unproven player in the Premier League would be yet another gamble.
Post a Comment