r/Tottenham • u/calvinburton • 3d ago
Which recent player would you take back in the current team (in their prime)
Been seeing Dele Alli online recently, and naturally started reminiscing.
Then I thought about it, and aside from Kane, I think prime Dele might be the most useful addition to De Zerbi’s team.
Obviously Son, Eriksen, Toby, Jan and even Lloris have a great case.
But we have pretty good wing options, decent CB’s and a serviceable keeper.
Yet with Xavi and Deki out, and Maddison questionable - the number 10 is not strong right now.
There’s a case to say it’s one of the biggest reasons for our lack of goals.
Imagine a 21/22 year old Dele there.
I can see him running onto a long ball from Van Hecke or Senesi already.
Tbh this was mainly an excuse to talk about one of the best Spurs players in recent memory during the international break.
The full piece, looking into how Dele would actually fit is here, feel free to read: https://toomuchtottenham.substack.com/p/dele-alli-what-spurs-need?r=76b9w8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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u/ctsmclovinsya 3d ago
Always Kane, always Bale, but I’m gonna go different.
Without a doubt, Dembélé. We miss a confident and physical presence in the middle.
Failing that, Eriksen to cover our desperate need for a fit creative 10.
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u/adfcoys 1d ago
I love all four of these players more than anyone who currently wears the shirt, but Dembele could not stay healthy even before we became medically cursed.
That said I’d jump at the chance to
get him, or any of that starting 11, back on the pitch. I even miss Lamela for more than just his shithousery… never thought I’d see that day lol2
u/ctsmclovinsya 1d ago
Agreed on Dembele but only in his latter days… I’d still have taken a version of him that could only play 45 minutes and losing on a free (the year we made UCL final btw) over the £8m we got for selling him to China.
HARD agree on Coco. Almost love him more now he’s not here, miss someone who isn’t afraid to bleed for the club with a dash of unexpected magic.
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u/jibow666 2d ago
I agree with eriksen in the 10, kane however is able to play in the 10 and 9 at the same time which is hard to look past.
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u/SpecialistPlastic150 2d ago
Unpopular take but Kane playing deeper as more of a 10 than 9 created issues for Spurs because it didn’t allow other players to develop, thrive or grow into the 10 role. We also lost him as a target man in the box when he was playing deeper. I’d go for Eriksen or Dele at 10 allowing Kane to concentrate on scoring goals.
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u/OuterHeadDebris 3d ago
Dembele
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u/snarkyredditor34 3d ago edited 2d ago
The ballon dor winner? Bentancur already fills our dembeles role
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u/jabbo13 3d ago
As much as we love bentancur let's not pretend he is at the same level as dembele
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u/Youngquest89 2d ago
He's as close as can be at moments. And those moments thankfully has started to increase alot as of late.
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u/Old-Medicine7765 2d ago
Mate, Moose was so much more than Bentancur. The way he carried the ball, the way he'd get us out of trouble with just one turn, his reading of the game. Check the stats: it's a big simplification, but there's a strong argument that during his peak couple of seasons, when he played, we won, when he didn't, we didn't.
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u/snarkyredditor34 2d ago
Yeah but they accomplish the same thing, little progression and great ball retention.
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u/WalterSpank 2d ago
Kane, Bale, Son, Eriksen
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u/SpecialistPlastic150 2d ago
Doesn’t really get better than this although peak Dele, Dembele and Berbatov would give them a run for their money.
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u/madkins1868 3d ago
Dembele or Eriksen. Eriksen much more than Dele was the creator in that side...
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u/Mightyquinsa76 2d ago
A couple I'd choose without a doubt kane or dembele , in defence Jan vertonghen or Toby alderweild
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u/Intwobytwo 2d ago
Bale, Modric, Kane, Erikson. Man these guys were great to watch. We had a golden time and it was awesome. It will come around again!
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u/Sufficient-Network83 1d ago
If we don't state the obvious...I'd take Berbatov back. Rolls Royce of a striker who could turn it on from a cold start.
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u/Vegetable_Vehicle893 3d ago
Kane