Spurs Paid £15M For Him, But What Might Big Martin Jol Offer Now?
Fulham boss Martin Jol is said to be lining up a swoop on his former club Tottenham for winger David Bentley!
Bentley has touted as the next big thing when he burst onto the scene at Arsenal, but his career hit a real bump over the last 18 months, where he’s been farmed out on loan to Birmingham City and West Ham United.
His spell at Upton Park was cut short by a knee injury and only spent 1 month with Sam Allardyce’s side, and probably now knows that his days are numbered at White Hart Lane – but could that be about to change?
Harry Redknapp’s departure from Spurs mean a new man is taking the helm and it could 0ffer Bentley one last lifeline at the club, especially with Niko Kranjcar heading to Ukraine with Dynamo Kiev. Bentley’s career has stagnated horribly and looks a shadow of the talent we saw at Blackburn Rovers – and what Tottenham judged to be £15m worth of talent.
Jol will be looking to strengthen his squad after a decent first year with Fulham, but I can’t see how Bentley fits in that. On the wings they can play Bryan Ruiz and Clint Dempsey, whilst experienced winger Damien Duff is still at the club and youngster Kerim Frei looked promising last season in his cameo appearances.
Bentley would probably still command a fairly hefty wage and I’m not sure it’d be value for money for Fulham who are fairly sensible in the transfer market. I think another team would find some use for Bentley but I just don’t think it will be Fulham.
Whoever the new Spurs manager is, whether it’s Andre Villas-Boas or Laurent Blanc or even someone else, I don’t think they’ll be considering Bentley as part of their long-term plans and the winger should look for a move elsewhere – I just don’t think Craven Cottage is calling though.
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July 1st, 2012
I highly doubt Bentley’s wages will be an issue. He’s not in a position to dictate what he should be paid verses what a club is willing to offer.
Saying that, I’d like to see how the incoming Spurs manager utilises the current squad. With Kranjčar now gone, it would be nice to see Bentley play. Hopefully Bentley can pull his finger out of his arse and realise his opportunities.
July 1st, 2012
Bentley isn’t a bad player, just doesn’t fit in at Spurs as we use fast wingers. that could change with AVB, especially if they get sick of Lennon’s rubbish crossing ability.
But I honestly think that Bentley should have moved into the centre of midfield because he does have good vision. Speed is not his asset, passing and technique is. But I think he needs a fresh start and should leave WHL.
July 1st, 2012
Totally agree with previous comment. If Lennon could cross a ball like Bentley wot a player we would have for spurs and England. Bentley showed so much promise but think he should move on and reignite his career cos he a talented boy who lost his way. Bloody Lennon.
July 2nd, 2012
Do you not even give a passing thought to the idea of Bentley as a striker, center forward rather than winger?
He can run dribble, shoot. But I guess he’s stereotyped as a winger…that’s one of the troubles with English football, too much type-casting, not enough experimentation.
July 2nd, 2012
2nd strikers or CM is where I would put him. As an Arsenal fan I can remember when he started out. It was obvious then he shouldn’t be out wide and the latter career bergkamp mould seemed to make sense ie creative, central and high up the pitch. Having said that I’ve always had doubts about his work rate, talent will only get you so far.
July 2nd, 2012
Technically the 15mm GBP transfer fee is irrelevant now! If you check Spurs financials the fee is amortized over 4 years or so, therefore his acquisition cost is now zero so any money received for him now is technically a gain on this year’s financial/cash position. What is more important is what did Spurs get for the 15million, basically nothing apart from a wonder goal against the Gooners and his masterminding of ”Arry’s dunking which caused him to be ostracized from the team and loaned out by the vindictive little Git! His value now is what we can get for him in a transfer (5-8 mm GBP?) so that his salary could be offloaded and that the transfer amount could be applied towards a better player! Overall, a huge waste of time and money for all concerned!
July 2nd, 2012
THE GUYS A LOOSING POSER HE`S DISRUPTIVE HE`S IS CLUELESS HE IS A SCARED OF TACKLING HE JUST IS A TOTAL MISFIT , BUT SAYING ALL THAT HE HAS GOT TO BE WORTH AT LEAST £5 / £6,000,000 TO COMPENSATE SPURS OUT PUT ON THE JESTER .
July 2nd, 2012
you talk about lennons crossing ability,look how are form dipped when he got injured.Lennon is not world class but he will trouble any full back in the premiership with pace and ball control.When lennon is missing the balance of the team is wrong.
July 22nd, 2012
Calling all hammers you are crap and Defoe won’t join you’re joke outfit