Reports from Scotland claim that Mauricio Pochettino is ready to hand a chance to Dominic Ball to impress him in pre-season.
Ball spent last season on-loan at Rangers where he became an important part of the team that won promotion back to the top flight. Though Rangers want him back at Ibrox as the look to lock horns with Celtic once more, The Glasgow Evening Times claims that Ball is set to return to Spurs for pre-season training, where he will be assessed by Pochettino and his staff.
The 20-year old is able to play as a central defender but caught the eye with his performances in a defensive midfield position. With the club looking for cover for Eric Dier in midfield and possibly a fourth central defender, Ball could be a solution from within.
Tottenham have also been linked with a big money move for Victor Wanyama to compete with Dier. Though Rangers will surely be hoping that Spurs will bid for the Kenyan and allow Ball to return to Scotland, it would ironically hand their biggest rivals a financial boost. Celtic are thought to have negotiated a 20% sell-on fee when they sold Wanyama to Southampton.
With Ball having flourished at Rangers last season, Tottenham are in a strong position. They know that they can take their time on making a decision regarding Ball’s future, with Rangers and other clubs in England ready and willing to take the player on loan should Pochettino decide against making him part of his squad next season.
If they think he’s good enough Play him
Hopefully he can perform well enough in preseason to give him a place in our first team squad next season. That being said, if he’s only gonna get the odd run out against weak opposition he’d surely be better off in Rangers first 11 playing every week. Mark Warburton is a good coach for youngsters and did wonders with Pritch’ at Brentford….maybe we should send him up there for a season too.
It’s not much of a boost as he only has a year left on his contract ! So they will be very lucky to get a good fee for him ?
If like me you had seen Ball play in the Scottish Cup Semi Final for Rangers then you would be in no doubt that he would fit into Spurs first team squad. He was man of the match that day where he show his passing, tackling ability but I was very impressed with his positional sense in stopping attacks. This, is not easy to teach someone so young but he has the brain of a more mature player.
Please give the lad his chance Mr Pocettino and you will save our tight fisted Mr Levy some money
For other players