The Kyle show
The recruitment of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker is an exciting development for the club. Not only do fans have the pleasure of having two more same-named players to confuse with their encouragement or abuse to go alongside Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas, but it seems the two former Blades are ready for first team duty.
It seems a safe football bet that the fact they have chosen Spurs is significant. The smaller squads of Everton and Aston Villa, rumoured to be interested in the pair, might have seemed a more attractive proposition for players seeking first team football.
Both cannot have failed to notice they joined in the week that another Spurs full back, Chris Gunter, returned to the Championship after failing to make a breakthrough. The fact that both specialise at right back does not help their chances.
Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda have recently arrived and will provide tough competition. This suggests the manager is not truly happy with any of the incumbents, with his repurchase of Chimbonda particularly puzzling.
It also suggests Gareth Bale, often touted for a move away from the Lane last term, is indeed on his way out. Some other big clubs are rumoured to be interested and I would only want to see him leave for a major profit – he played with more confidence at the end of last season and is still a better long-term prospect at left back than Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Both Naughton and Walker have made England representative appearances (U21 and U19 respectively) and the former, older by a year and a half, should make more of an impact this season.
He can play as a right winger as well as at left back and is clearly a good man to have on the bench. He featured in the PFA Championship team of the year last season.
The last double signings from one club were Michael Dawson and Andy Reid in January 2005. We had a hit and a miss on that occasion and it is hoped at least one of the Kyles proves to be an excellent long-term investment.
It seems a safe football bet that the fact they have chosen Spurs is significant. The smaller squads of Everton and Aston Villa, rumoured to be interested in the pair, might have seemed a more attractive proposition for players seeking first team football.
Both cannot have failed to notice they joined in the week that another Spurs full back, Chris Gunter, returned to the Championship after failing to make a breakthrough. The fact that both specialise at right back does not help their chances.
Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda have recently arrived and will provide tough competition. This suggests the manager is not truly happy with any of the incumbents, with his repurchase of Chimbonda particularly puzzling.
It also suggests Gareth Bale, often touted for a move away from the Lane last term, is indeed on his way out. Some other big clubs are rumoured to be interested and I would only want to see him leave for a major profit – he played with more confidence at the end of last season and is still a better long-term prospect at left back than Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Both Naughton and Walker have made England representative appearances (U21 and U19 respectively) and the former, older by a year and a half, should make more of an impact this season.
He can play as a right winger as well as at left back and is clearly a good man to have on the bench. He featured in the PFA Championship team of the year last season.
The last double signings from one club were Michael Dawson and Andy Reid in January 2005. We had a hit and a miss on that occasion and it is hoped at least one of the Kyles proves to be an excellent long-term investment.
16 comments
I've seen both play for England only and I have a feeling that Walker will become the better player.
He's not as fast as Naughton is, but he's a better all-round player.
Also, the Scum ITK's are saying that they'll have Huntelaar by the end of the week for £18 million.
Why ffs can't we spend that money on proper players that have experience???
Didn't 'Arry say that we wouldn't be buying up potential but players with experience?
Same old Tottenham
COYS!!!!!!!!
i agree with some people that we dont need any more right backs.
i really liked chris gunter, and i dont think he was given enough of a chance. Chimbonda is crap, and he should be sold. corluka is the best right back in the league in my opinion, and hutton is up there in the top 5 (granted theres not that many decent right backs around.) maybe harry is looking at selling hutton (everton? after they missed out on naughton) and using corluka as a center back. also, with naughton being able to play left back, that means we have cover when BAE goes away to the african nations. Either way, naughton is a good young player with alot of potential, and i hope he doesnt get wasted and forgotten about at Spurs like so many have before.
COYS!!!
i like him but no.. what about glen johnson. he can actually move and can play defense. i love charlie, hes always calm and is very defensive and links up well with lennon but i dont believe hes the best right back, he can be incredibly lazy, switch off and runs at about the same speed sherringham can probably run now.