Spurs quest for a new defender goes on and the name of Phil Jones is never too far away from the transfer gossip columns at the moment. Blackburn’s Jones is still only 19 and has just established himself in the first team but he has attracted interest from a whole host of clubs.
Blackburn’s current manager Steve Kean is aware that he may have a battle on his hands over the player: “I don’t know if Phil would go straight into the team at a Champions League club.
“And he wants to play. He wants to be a central defender – where he is looking fantastic.
“You always brace yourself for bids – we have had offers before for him and I am sure there will be solid ones in again. He will move on some time, but I can see him being captain here first.”
As far as Spurs are concerned maybe Kean has a point with regards to the likelihood of him playing on a regular basis. Is his summary correct or does Jones have the credentials to hold down a regular first team slot at White Hart Lane?
I don’t see Phil Jones beating out Dawson, King (hoping we can get 10-20 games out of him), BAE, Rose or Walker for a regular spot in the rotation. He clearly has a lot of potential and is only 19. One or two seasons from now, he is probably a regular. This season, if he comes on the cheap and is willing to play Europa League and occasional Premier League games, get him and add a surefire starting CB. If not, take a pass and continue to look.
He aint ever gona shrug Dawson or Gallas of the spot. Whats the point in buying a sub? We need to be concentrating more on buying a world class striker and a world class keeper!
Exactly- we have Klumaho and Caulker who are promising young defenders for us and as Mike the yid said we need to focus on buying at least 2 forwards- 1 world class and a world class keeper.
COYS!
Still have to look to the future. Woody, King soon to go. Bassong wants out. Gallas temporary and plays through the pain barrier. Khumalo still unproven in this country. Caulker still unproven at top level. Kaboul gets his fair share of injuries. Dawson is really our only steady centre back. I agree that CB is not priority, and that Phil Jones would be wasted next season. Leave him there for another season unless someone snaps him up. Keeper not priority either. A couple of different strikers.
Are we looking for a defender then? Dawson, Gallas, King, Woodgate, Kaboul and who Jones as 6th choice?
I think he might be a decent pick.
We do have plenty of CBs on the books, but effectively we have Dawson and Gallas starting, with Kaboul and… Khumalo(?) as backup. King and Woodgate would be great if they played, but they barely did that last season and these problems seem to get worse over time — not better.
Also, how much longer can we count on Gallas? 19 with first team experience — give him a season as a backup to settle into the team and we have a long-term quality (hopefully) CB.