Tim Sherwood is reportedly planning a January clear-out at Spurs as the new head-coach looks to streamline his squad. We assess who’s at risk.
SEE ALSO: Best Football Manager wonderkids
5. Heurelho Gomes
A new boss must have briefly spelled new hope for Spurs’ forgotten man Heurelho Gomes but Sherwood has followed the path set by both Harry Redknapp and Andre Villas-Boas, opting for veteran Brad Friedel as a back-up to number one Hugo Lloris – with the former Brazil international left out in the cold. Gomes, 32, has not made a league appearance for Spurs since Friedel arrived at the club in summer 2012 and his agent has urged Tottenham to either play ‘the Octopus’ or let him leave. Sadly for Gomes, only one of those options will appeal to Sherwood.
4. Erik Lamela
Sherwood has insisted the £30m Argentine has a part to play under the new regime but rumours linking Lamela with a return to the Serie A persist. The 21-year-old’s father has admitted his son would like to go back to Italy to boost his chances of playing in next summer’s World Cup but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Franco Baldini are unlikely to be thrilled at the prospect of losing their marquee signing after less than six months. But with Aaron Lennon and Christian Eriksen impressing on the flanks at present and Sherwood resolutely sticking to 4-4-2, it’s tricky to see where Lamela fits in at Spurs.
3. Nacer Chadli
Will he or won’t he? Chadli’s said on Wednesday that the winger could leave White Hart Lane on loan before claiming today he had decided to stay. Whatever the case, it is clear Chadli is not first choice under Sherwood, who has favoured Lennon and Eriksen on the flanks. The Belgian’s agent Daniel Evrard says the 25-year-old wants to play centrally but with Spurs partnering Emmanuel Adebayor with Roberto Soldado up front, it is tricky to see a place for the former FC Twente star.
2. Lewis Holtby
The German midfielder’s agent says Holtby is ‘desperate’ for more game-time and a return to former club Schalke looks the most likely option for Holtby. The 23-year-old is a fan-favourite at White Hart Lane but is apparently unfancied by Sherwood, who has used Holtby just once – in the disappointing 1-1 draw with West Brom – since being appointed head-coach on a permanent basis. Some reports say Schalke are unwilling to buy the player they sold to Spurs for just £1.5m last January, making a loan deal the most likely scenario, while it is also thought Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to boost Arsenal’s chances of landing Julian Draxler by sending the playmaker back to the Veltins Arena.
1. Etienne Capoue
The France international signed from Toulouse for £9m in the summer is versatile, powerful and one of only two truly defensive-minded midfielders in Spurs squad, along with Sandro. And yet Sherwood plainly does not fancy the 25-year-old, who has been overlooked in favour of 19-year-old compatriot Nabil Bentaleb in the recent London derbies with Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Napoli are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Capoue, who will leave White Hart Lane after less than six months at the club.