Ryan Mason has spoken to the Evening Standard about his desire to re-establish himself at Spurs.
Linked with the likes of Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Hull this summer, Mason nevertheless believes that his time at White Hart Lane is far from over. He told the Standard:
“I’m a professional footballer, I want to be playing every single game. I didn’t do that last year but there’s no arguments.
“I think I started four or five of the first games, got injured against Sunderland and when I came back, the team was flying and the midfielders were doing well and it was very difficult to break into that.
“That’s part of football, it’s a clean slate in pre-season when I go back and hopefully I can work my way into a place.
“Two seasons ago me and Nabil [Bentaleb] started almost every game together in midfield and last season it was different. So next season it is not a foregone conclusion that Eric Dier and Mousa will be in there.
“Our gaffer is very big on training your way into the team and you deserve to play if you’re training well, so I’m sure if me and Nabil go back in pre-season and train and play well, there is no reason why the gaffer wouldn’t start us.
“I’m sure Nabil is working hard just as I am to go back as fit as possible.”
Does Mason have a chance of working his way back into regular contention? While it’s true that he and Bentaleb were the first-choice midfield pairing a couple of seasons ago and did well, the partnership of Dier and Dembele last season was on another level.
With Victor Wanyama signed to deputise for Dier, Mason is battling with the likes of Bentaleb, Dele Alli and Tom Carroll for Dembele’s spot in the team. Mason can also play further forward behind the striker, but that position can be filled by Christian Eriksen and Alli.
It looks like it’s going to be a much harder job for Mason to force his way into the team than it was first time round, when the likes of Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Benjamin Stambouli were his competition. Would Mason be better off moving on, or should he stay and fight it out at the club he loves?
Awful footballer, beyond basic.
He is not an awful footballer – don’t be ridiculous FFS!
He has filled in mostly out of position and against inclination -seen as he is an attack-minded player who has largely played defensive roles. Last season, when the club lost the first game and drew the next three, anything but a win away to Sunderland would have been a serious problem. Late in the match he collected the ball and bravely, because he must have known he risked injury, he held his nerves to score. He got our season up and running. He subsequently played when and where needed despite carrying an injury and having to delay an operation – because Poch asked him to. He may not be quite good enough -but he maybe deserves just a little less vitriol!!!
I think he deserves to be allowed to stay and fight for his place, he is a Spurs boy and who is to say he can’t improve to the next level !! Who would have thought Deli or Eric would achieve what they did last year ???
Get rid. He is not good enough to play for us, he would fit in well at Bournemouth below average player.
We do need squad players that can come in when injuries hit first team players or rotating for domestic cup games so I would keep him and let him fight for his place. He is not a star player but nonetheless he is a good squad player and Spurs through and through.
Sometimes as spurs fans we never give a player time to improve ,
2 seasons ago Danny rose and Kyle walker were awful , and have improved when most were saying their not good enough.
Lamela was the same, below average 1st season , last season was very good.
Just a thought
Very good point
@MBY, What does “beyond basic” mean? That he’s much better than basic? He is a useful squad player who has grown up with the club. Spurs were pretty lucky last season regarding injuries (seems only Verts is a bit injury prone) and we could have need of Mason for cover anywhere between the boxes. He is versatile and obviously keen to remain at the club to fight for a place. I doubt he’s on astronomical wages so keeping him makes sense.
He reminds me a bit of Jake Livermore, a player you ultimately would like to do well for the club simply because they’re Spurs (if you see what i mean?), but when push comes to shove you realise that he’s just not of a high enough standard for where the club wants to be, and sentiment has to give way to ambition.
Sentimentalism won’t do now , come on .. We’ve managed to raise the standards at spurs by finally being ruthless in areas that had to be addressed. Every time he plays we are brittle and simply porous through the middle. Great spirit , loyal player but painfully short of the required minerals.
Coyfs
He should go he would find himself lucky to start In a capital one cup game this season
He’s on £40k per week basic. Probably got at least another 2 years on his contract. When that’s up he can leave on a free transfer. He’ll probably stick around and finish out his contract unless someone offers him more money.
He has a contract. If he wants to see that contract out the club can do bugger all about it.