really?
bombed out of Arsenal, has only had an 18 month spell in his ca when he showed any real consistency
technically he strikes the ball well....but his decision making is poor, his mobility is average, lacks pace, seems mentally fragile
poor signing for Spurs
He wasnt bombed out of Arsenal. They had him pegged as Bergkamps replacement, his ego wasnt prepared to wait and he got all billy big boots which lead them to cut their loses on him.
At Blackburn he was superb. Under Hughes he had a manager that kept a very tight grip on him - something he needs - and it paid dividends.
With us, big money move, bigger club - his ego exploded again and look what happened...
That said - there have been times when he has done an understated yet good job for us IMHO - look at the end of the season we first finished 4th.
Ability wise? Great touch, excellent technique in striking the ball, (pre Spurs) excellent set piece delivery, good vision when he gets his head up and has often shown decent tricks/control. He also has it in him to pull off something audacious, which I always like in a player. He isnt a superstar in the making (despite what he would have you believe) but he has the components of a very decent player.
Problem is in his head. He got to us and lost all focus. Redknapp commented that he wanted his team mates to call him "Becks". He got completely distracted with ideas of being a little tycoon music promoter, bar owner, sports car racer...
All these things are what have stalled his career IMHO - NOT his natural ability.
It is possible AVB can get his head straight, if he takes a similar disciplinarian approach as Hughes, and if that happens its possible we can have a very useful option in the squad.
Given the last few years though they are very big "Ifs" IMO. To date I agree he has been a poor signing, but that doesnt mean he cant be a decent player for us yet.