Spurs gaffer Tim Sherwood is not happy with his squad at White Hart Lane…
Tottenham head-coach Tim Sherwood has accused his players of lacking ‘desire’ and revealed many of his squad ‘are playing for their future’ ahead of tonight’s Europa League last-16 clash with Benfica at White Hart Lane.
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We name ten players Sherwood could axe this summer:
10. Kyle Walker
The England right back has been one of Spurs’ most consistent performers this season and remains one of the first names on the team-sheet. But Walker was one of the biggest culprits for the collapse in the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea, with his disastrous header to Hugo Lloris allowing Demba Ba to add gloss with an easy fourth. The match at Stamford Bridge seems to have been a watershed moment for Sherwood and he won’t have been impressed with Walker’s careless contribution.
9. Danny Rose
Like Walker, Rose has been an automatic pick when fit (mainly due to Spurs’ dreadful lack of cover at full-back) but that is unlikely to spare him from the chop if Sherwood believes he is one of those lacking in ‘desire’. The 23-year-old started the season brightly but has been guilty of a visible lack of effort of late, particularly when it comes to tracking back. Whatever happens, Spurs will probably sign a new left back in the summer so Rose is facing a fight to retain his first team spot, even if he does survive Sherwood’s cull.
8. Younes Kaboul
It’s tough to accuse the Frenchman of lacking effort given he’s made just three Premier League starts all season. Kaboul, however, is likely to be allowed to depart on a free transfer if he cannot prove his fitness before the end of the season, when his contract expires. He’ll have to start by playing against both Benfica tonight and Arsenal on Sunday. After carrying Ledley King for so long, Spurs cannot afford to have another talented but injured centre half on their books.
7. Roberto Soldado
Sherwood has been vocal in his support of the beleaguered Spanish striker but privately the head-coach must be concerned with Soldado’s form since his £26m summer move from Valencia. Just two league goals from open play all season have left the 28-year-old desperately short of confidence, but he did score in Spurs last home league game against Cardiff. If a decent an affordable striker becomes available in the summer, Sherwood will surely consider cashing in on Bobby.
6. Etienne Capoue
The enforcer was initially ignored when Sherwood got the job and was nearly sold to Napoli in January. But Capoue has appear to win over the head-coach in recent weeks and, crucially, was injured for the humiliation at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman has struggled to impress since his imperious early-season displays, however, and with Nabil Bentaleb, Mousa Dembele and Sandro favourites of Sherwood’s, he could be flogged in the summer.
5. Kyle Naughton
It is not effort the defender lacks, but talent. Naughton has been used as Walker’s back up and as an auxiliary left back this season but he lacks the quality to be a Spurs regular and has already confirmed he wants more first team football next season.
4. Nacer Chadli
Chadli has been in and out of the team under Sherwood, arguably because Spurs have suffered so badly with injuries. But his first season in English football has been far from successful and he has not looked of the required quality to ever win a regular first team spot at White Hart Lane. His effort has also appeared lax at times.
3. Jan Vertonghen
There’s little doubt that Vertonghen is one of the club’s better players, perhaps even one of only two players in the squad who could be categorised as ‘world class’ (Hugo Lloris is the other), but his attitude leaves plenty to be desired. The Belgian’s body language and demeanour have been visibly negative this season, particularly when he has been asked to fill in left back, and, although he is a great talent, Sherwood will likely sell him if Spurs get a big offer. Vertongen has hinted that he wants to play in the Champions League next season, so a quick depature could suit all parties.
2. Paulinho
Paulinho arrived at White Hart Lane for a then-club record £17m with fans expecting the midfielder to replicate the fabulous form he showed for Brazil at last summer’s Confederations Cup. But despite being a first team regular, the 25-year-old has been abject for most of this season and Tim Sherwood showed his displeasure by dropping him for the trip to Chelsea, even though Mousa Dembele and Etienne Capoue were injured. The Selecao star is reportedly admired by Real Madrid and if Daniel Levy can extract another huge fee from Los Blancos, Paulinho could be off.
1. Erik Lamela
The vast majority of Spurs fans are desperate for the Argentine to succeed at White Hart Lane but it’s looking increasingly unlikely. Lamela has barely featured this season and hasn’t played since December after picking up a back injury. The 21-year-old winger reportedly wants to return to Italy and given his insipid performances when he has started, expect Spurs to cash in on him if they receive a good offer.