While all the transfer talk focuses on Paulinho and David Villa this morning, there is a fairly isolated story concerning a proposed move for Real Sociedad left back Alberto de la Bella. The 27 year old has been with his current employers since 2009 and the report suggests that Andre Villas-Boas see De la Bella as an ideal replacement for left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
It’s also claimed that Spurs have already been in for the player and having seen a bid of £3m rejected, the club feels that a small price hike would be enough to seal a relatively cheap deal.
However, the story goes against comments made by Andre a month ago when he intimated that the left side of defence would not be an area for new personnel.
“We finally have Benoit back so, apart from the fluid that he has on the knee, he was involved in all of the fixtures since he got back,” Villas-Boas said back in May.
“He’s an extremely important player for us. We have Danny Rose coming back and Zeki Fryers so we have to make the best decision.”
De la Bella looks a capable player and one who was instrumental in his side’s successful 2012-13 campaign but is AVB really looking for new faces among a fairly settled defence?
Definitely can’t see him replacing Disco Benny who’s gonna have a great season if he stays fit. Anyway, Rose is a good enough back-up, had a great season with sunderland
This bloke has been really consistent and actually defends well! – Not always associated with Spanish players, or our own BAE for that matter!
This is my only problem with BAE, I love him, but he is a firstly a defender, but he doesnt like doing it!
He can defend, its just his lack of urgency to do so. He gives away stupid free kicks, penalties and at times just doesn’t seem interested.
He didn’t really seem to liven up even when dropped.
AVB for me isn’t the type of manager to put up with half effort and a lazy attitude (yes a dig at Harry). I think he will be sold.
Benny is a talented footballer when bothered.
I would be made up to replace BAE with anyone or anything that can defend. A 3 legged elephant would do me so long as it didnt continually do Cryuff turns on the edge of our penalty box and didnt play square passes across the pitch in the defending 3rd. Either give it to Rose or buy, but dont stick with BAE thanks.
Agree with Kaybee 100%. Time to let Bennie move on ad do his daydreaming elsewhere. AVB surely has to give Danny Rosea fair crack. He looked to have atured a lot during his SAFC loan.
I understand that Benny is a cult figure if sorts, but how can so many people defend his place in the squad after the form and injury issues of last season? We arent talking about a 22 year old here; I fear we’ve already seen his best days. It’s time to sell. The real question is do we promote from within, or seek a replacement elsewhere?
Let rose go to Sunderland for £7m and BAE to where ever for £6-7m and put in an offer for a top young talent i.e. Shaw from Southampton for £15m, that way we wont be paying much to get him. Whilst were talking about young talent can some tell Levy, if he wants to by the best young players with increased sell on value maybe he should get the two hot prospects from Dinamo Zagreb Alen Halilovic & Tin Jedvaj. Halilovic is regarded as a better player than Modric at his age (17yrs) and has already represented Croatia at senior label. If we don’t move now the wealthier teams will move in and we will have missed out on another top player ! (could have bought Isco last summer for £17m, we didn’t and now he is one of the best young players around (gutted). DONT DO IT AGAIN LEVY !
COYS !!!
fabio coentrao is the answer, although real will obviously try to use any interest in him as a way to get bale
but the player himself should be getting regular football and is unlucky to be at the same club as marcelo as there aren’t many that would get in a team ahead of him
always played consistently well even for portugal and looks good attacking too which would suit as
Dont think we need anyone if bae leaves we have rose and fryers don’t we ?
Fryers is nowhere near good enough at this stage. He may have a burst of imporovement but from what I saw in the U21’S last season I wouldn’t let him anywhere near the first team.
Benny to go aswell leaving Rose who I don’t think is ready for our first team or at least he needs to prove himself against the new first choice.
Rose has already hinted tha he wants to leave and so did BAE at some point (last season) I say let em both go and replace them although Fyers isn’t ready I say replace BAE with Coentrao or Aleksandar Kolarov and replace rose with Shaw.
I am also skeptical of the David Villa idea.. sell ade keep defoe buy Solodado!?? COYS YID ARMY