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Why did it go wrong series? #1 Nabil Bentaleb

robp135

robp135

Jason Dozzell
Gonna do a series of threads on players that started brightly at the club but then things just didn’t work out.

First player will be Nabil Bentaleb.

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A technically sound midfielder who joined our youth team in 2012, given his chance by under Sherwood during the 2013/14 season.

He went on to become one of the main players for Pochettino during his first year. Starting 33/35 games including the League Cup Final ahead of Mousa Dembele. Poch viewed him as so valuable that he would rest him for Cup Games. His most famous moment in a Spurs shirt will be the perfect left footed cross for Kane to head home the winner in a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The following season he started 2/4 opening games. Suffered an ankle injury and only played 1 more minute as a sub before being sold to approx £18M to Shalke.

After an initial bright start to his career in the Bundesligia, Bentaleb fell out of favour and has had unsuccessful spells at Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Angers & Lille where he is still playing today.

Where did it go wrong for Nabil Bentaleb?
 
I like this...

I'll add more later, but I felt sorry for Bentaleb to a degree because he was an 'on the edge' player of great potential IMO, but he misstepped at a time when Poch was really trying to establish the cultural line and balance with regards to getting us tough but within bounds. The other victim of this as I remember was Andros.

I'd like a midfielder with Bentaleb's hunger right now!!!
 
thfcsteff said:
I like this...

I'll add more later, but I felt sorry for Bentaleb to a degree because he was an 'on the edge' player of great potential IMO, but he misstepped at a time when Poch was really trying to establish the cultural line and balance with regards to getting us tough but within bounds. The other victim of this as I remember was Andros.

I'd like a midfielder with Bentaleb's hunger right now!!!
Click to expand...

Feel like had Townsend been prepared to stick around and play the role that went to N’Jie/Nkoudou it could have meant some extra points. Can say the same about Mason/Bentaleb instead of Sissoko & Carroll.
 
robp135 said:
Feel like had Townsend been prepared to stick around and play the role that went to N’Jie/Nkoudou it could have meant some extra points. Can say the same about Mason/Bentaleb instead of Sissoko & Carroll.
Click to expand...

Carroll is another for this series (we did something similar on the pod a few years back)...
 
I thought he was an outstanding prospect but had a flaw in his game, he continually try the same trick of dummying to play ball and let it roll past him, it was so obvious it must have been discussed with him by manager yet he continued to do it. I can only assume he would or couldn't be told what to do.
 
Gazza said:
Didn’t he start thinking he was better than he was at some point?
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I think you've hit on something there...this is the tricky line we tread when a coach promotes youngsters and they get lauded like he and Mason were when Poch pushed out the likes of Capoue, Kaboul etc for these new up-and-comers: they can get big heads very quickly if not handled right.
I remember when Dele scored that magnificent goal against Palace Bentaleb was on the sidelines doing warm-ups and he didn't join in with the celebrations at all...i thought it looked like he was unhappy because he was no longer the 'young golden child' he was months before...

He was a key part of how Poch changed the culture around the club and it was a shame he didn't have the qualities (whether that be playing ability or attitude) to stick around longer
 
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