The Striker Tipped To Save Spurs

I feel like it’s two years ago again. Russian International striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has been linked with Spurs, Liverpool and Blackburn.

The three clubs are currently “monitoring” his progress at German side Vfb Stuttgart for which he has hit five goals in seven games already this season; three of which coming in a 7-0 drubbing of Borussia M’gladbach.

He is a strong centre-forward type, able to muscle defenders off the ball with a powerful shot. At 6ft 2″ he can certainly win a ball in the air, but like Crouchinho, his goals usually come from his feet.

He’s a bit like Emile Heskey in his Leicester days (when he was actually really bloody good); unafraid to take a shot and with a reasonable boost of pace. Unfortunately for Spurs, I also think he’s a bit Pavlyuchenko.

This is what I don’t understand. Are Spurs hellbent on buying any striker that has a few good games? Last season Pogrebnyak dissapointed at Stuttgart and only managed six goals throughout the entire campaign, but he hits a hat trick against the bottom of the league and all of a sudden his name is draped all over White Hart Lane.

For me, Tottenham should be aiming higher. They’re performing brilliantly in Europe and winning the respect of real international talent. Spurs really need a proper replacement for Jermaine Defoe, a fast paced, nippy finisher that can feed off either Crouch or Pav. Buying another chunky beast of a centre forward will not propel them to fourth after January. This is the point Spurs fans regret selling Darren Bent isn’t it?

However, Liverpool and Blackburn? Possibly not such a bad buy. Liverpool need a proper partner to Torres, a feeder for the Spaniard. When they attack at times they look lacklustre in the box with midfielders milling around the edge; no real meat in the middle. Pogrebnyak could be the cure, unafraid of the hussle and bustle of the goalmouth, he could create opportunities and score goals.

As far as Blackburn goes, they actually nearly signed the big Russian in the January transfer window of 2009. Then club, Zenit St. Petersburg rejected the bid at the death. He could really help Rovers out, who despite showing some real tenacity in attack this season, have failed to really convert those chances in goals. Two big lads up top at Ewood would certainly suit their play, regularly using wing attacks and set plays to create goals. He would most probably become a key player at Blackburn making any offer desirable to the Russian international.

The way the season is shaping up I can’t wait to see what happens in January; but I don’t see a man as savvy as Harry splashing the cash on this lad.