There are a few threads around here about Bale, Paulinho and a few others, but I thought I'd create this one here to talk about other Spurs players and more specifically, who would we like to see at Spurs for 2013/2014. Here's my list with some of my ideas:
GOALKEEPERSLloris - Obvious number one, no comments needed
Friedel - There was talk of him rejoining Blackburn Rovers, but this link went quiet. I can't see Friedel being our first choice keeper, but I think his experience and professionalism are of great benefit.
Gomes - I can't see him staying with Spurs for much longer. I hope he'll find himself a new club ASAP.
Archer - Had a decent loan at Wycombe and is a product of Spurs Academy. I've read good things about him and will be willing to see him get an outing in League Cup and Europa League.
DEFENDERSKaboul - Let's see when and in which state he'll return. He missed the whole season and it might take a while for Younés to get back in the shape he was before he got injured. Anyway, I don't think anyone would want to see him leave.
Vertonghen - Heir apparent to Ledley King. For me the best CB we have in the club. I think he should get the armband, should Kaboul return fit and Dawson drop to the bench.
Dawson - I think Dawson's been a great servant to the club, but I would prefer Kaboul (if fit) and Vertonghen as our main central pairing. I know it is unfair on Good ol' Daws, but the fact is that his lack of pace combined with our high defensive line is a vulnerable combination. That doesn't mean I'd like to see Dawson leave, I think he could still play quite a few games for us, as it is impossible to play the whole season with only two central defenders.
Caulker - I think Caulker's progress stalled a bit last season and from what I saw I think he could go on and become one of the great centre-backs in the country, but he needs to have an experienced defender next to him. Fortunately our other defenders are...
Walker - Kyle had an ambiguous season. He was an explosive creative force from the deep, but the fact is that he's a defender and what he didn't do well at all was defending. Still, I think the lad is very promising and will get better this season.
Assou-Ekotto - Benoît had a season mixed with lack of concentration, niggling injuries and different hair-styles. I think the man is something different from other footballers, but that doesn't change the fact that after two great seasons he became a relatively mediocre player. Maybe it was because of injuries, maybe something else. Unless someone better comes in, I'd give him until August 31 to prove himself.
Naughton - Kyle number two is a back-up player at best and if he wants to be one, he can be. Should he want to leave, I don't think anyone would mind.
Rose - I don't like Danny's attitude. He seems to be one of the young English players who are more interested in Twitter than training and think that they don't need to prove anyone anything. Unless our manager can make him focus on his football, he could be heading down the same road as David Bentley and many others.
MIDFIELDERSHuddlestone - Tom is big as a tree and unfortunately slow as one. To make matters worse, he isn't hard enough to be a DM. I don't think his slow style would fit into our midfield and he could and should move on.
Lennon - Aaron Lennon is probably one of our unsung heroes. He should score a bit more, though. As no-one has come in for him since 2005, I very much doubt anyone will before 2025. Good for us...
Parker - There have been rumours about Parker leaving to QPR, Sunderland and a few other clubs. After great first season, Parker's last season wasn't anything special. To be fair on him, he did have a very serious injury and only played half a season. Still, with Paulinho coming in and some uncertainty about Sandro's return any time soon, I think Parker could still have a role at Spurs. He's not as mobile as some younger midfielders in our squad, but I think his general intelligence on pitch is second to none.
Bale - Well... no comments needed.
Dembélé - I'm not sure on which position Dembélé should play. I'd say his first season with us was difficult. While some people expected him to be the next Modrić, he certainly isn't one. Nor is he the new van der Vaart as he isn't much of a threat on goal (2 goals in 29 games). I like his style, though and I hope he'll have a great 2013/2014.
Sigurðsson - Gylfi popped in with some very important goals, but as with Dembélé, I'm not sure what his best position is. Good thing is that he can play on either flank and as an attacking midfielder. A good player to come on as a substitute, but I somewhat doubt he'll ever be anything more at Spurs.
Holtby - Looked interesting enough, but is far from developed. Coming in from another league and mid-season can be difficult and therefore I can't really say much about young Lewis. I hope to see more of him, though.
Livermore - Jake reminds me Jamie O'Hara (remember him?) - eager and keen, but relatively mediocre. I don't think he'll ever develop into first XI player at Spurs and therefore I think he should move on.
Sandro - As with Kaboul, I'm optimistic, but nervous about his return. The Beast is one of the best players of his role in the league and could be one of the best in the world. What makes me nervous is that the present knee-injury isn't his first.
Townsend - Andros showed a few glimpses of brilliance at QPR, but I'm not sure about him. His ban for betting was a stupid thing and could cost him a place at Spurs.
Carroll - Thomas seems to be another promising product of Spurs Academy, but unless he'll get more chances in first team matches, he could fade away and his progress would stall. I hope our manager understands that and I think he does. Carroll is definitely worth keeping and I personally would like to see him play more often.
Dempsey - Clint is one of those players Spurs fans don't rate and probably never will. As I've said before 12 goals in 43 matches is not a bad rate and to be fair on him, he was mostly played out of position. I can see him staying with us for one more season and after that he'll probably return to the USA or join some team below us.
STRIKERSAdebayor - Well, his recent form is pretty good - 2 goals in 3 matches (
). I've read that Besiktas are interested in buying him, but I guess they haven't heard about his wages. On his good day Adebayor reminds me of Drogba and on his bad days he reminds me of me on Saturday mornings - a really slow f**king mess. For some reason I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed. Maybe Villas-Boas will make something out of him.
Defoe - It's never going to happen, is it? Year after year the same old song and dance - Jermain starts with a big bang and then whizzes away like an old balloon. He has been with us for many years and is one of our "faces". But, maybe it's time to move on with new faces.
Kane - Harry scored twice in 15 games for Leicester City last season. I'm keen to see more of him, but I doubt he'll turn into anything more than a back-up player.
I didn't include other younger players (Pritchard, McEvoy etc) as I don't know much about them and haven't really followed their progress