Blues in for Tottenham's Townsend

Not sure this is true as Townsend is Spurs’ main attacking threat from wide areas and is still only young. Furthermore, I’m certain he would have been off to Brazil had he not been injured!

Surely the above places him out of our price range. That said if it were true I’d be more than happy.

One person who I’d like to see us take from Spurs and feel we would be able to is Lewis Holtby. He is a life-long blue and he is a young German international with plenty of experience even at a young age. A move for him seems much more likely and more viable.

Don’t know where you have been, Ant, but Holtby snubbed us for Spurs. I don’t think we will hear until the deals are done, just like before.

Levy is a hard negotiator, I mean look at Pienaar. They get him on a free from us, then a season later, sell him for £5.5mill to us. Plus we will both be competing for Champions League spots... no chance he will flog his best winger and English player to us.

Agree that this looks very unlikely. Even if true I doubt Levy would take less than 12-15m

Well the Rumour Mill is off to a flyer this year!

Townsend is a good player. He reminds me of Robben. He’s also balding at a similar rate.

File under: Bollocks.

Kane, we didn’t lose him on a free, we sold Pienaar to Spurs for £3m and bought him back, after another loan spell, for £4.5m. OK, we may have felt like we were stitched up by Levy at the time but Pienaar has been a good player for us both before he left and since his return from Spurs.

Load of rubbish, but I think the Albrighton link might have some legs, it’s going to be an interesting summer.

Total rubbish! Why on earth would Spurs get rid of the only player that ever liked likely to do any damage for them?

Still, it shows the strides we are making, being linked with good players already!

Pure fantasy and nothing more.

Every summer you get the same madcap transfer stories that are so far fetched they could well be in Roy of the Rovers.

I would love Townsend just for the record and can see how he would be a straight replacement for Deulofeu, I am not however to keen on the idea of Albrighton.

Brian S, Holtby couldn’t have snubbed us as we (ginger) never tried to get him.
Townsend was/is a ten game wonder. As the season progressed he went down hill.

Colin

He was wonderful for Schalke. This is a classic example of young talent getting a big move and losing their way. We have a history of righting players like this. Pienaar, Arteta...let’s get the lad in!

Holtby will more than likely joining one of the other London clubs, either West Ham or QPR if they win promotion.

I like Holtby and he would be a good long-term replacement for Osman. He is energetic and industrious and is young enough to be a long term player. A young enough player but already with a good degree of European experience.

Speculation, speculation and speculation! Magic! It's the game to play until we know the truth, our opportunity to shine as a football sage or don the dunces cap and sit facing the corner.

I'm suggesting that we really should devise some "fantasy football" scoring system to evaluate our performance during the close season transfer window. Some of last years absolute beauts were the lauding of Daniel Levy as Spuds "wisely" brought in a whole gaggle of "shrewd investments" and also got top dollar for Gareth (Planet of the Apes extra) Bale.

Let the games begin!

Brian 169

I think you might find that, despite speculation, OFM didn't actually enquire about Holtby. A great pity as I believe he lost his way a bit in the last year or two and if there is one manager who can resurrect his potential it's Martinez.

Having shared a house with a Spurs fan until recently, I am of the opinion that Townsend is massively overrated. Although I was impressed with his England form, it was pointed out to me exactly how little he actually contributed to Spurs. He was dropped long before he was injured as he was totally ineffective for them. He loses the ball constantly, he's lazy tracking back, his decision making is atrocious.

On the flip side, and contrary to what has been stated earlier in this thread, I think Albrighton would be a very good signing. I've long thought him to be one of Villa's better players and been very confused that they haven't started him more often. He maybe lacks physicality but he is very skillful and would fit well into the Martinez style of play.

Brian, clearly I’m aware that Holtby chose Spurs over us (or so the papers say) but did we ever really put the cash on the table?

Also, mate, not sure if you noticed but from January Holtby was loaned out to Fulham after becoming increasingly annoyed at Spurs – hence my thoughts on a bid from Everton!!!

I would hate this. Townsend is awful. He hogs the ball relentlessly, and his final ball is very poor. He also shoots constantly. He will be another Wayne Routledge at best.

I think his decision-making is good and he can cross with both feet despite being prominently left footed making him a threat to defenders sending him outside to avoid his lethal shooting.

I would take him in a heartbeat but would be very surprised if Spurs would sell to a Champions League rival (oh that was satisfying).

Jim Knightley (205) - "I would hate this. Townsend is awful. He hogs the ball relentlessly, and his final ball is very poor. He also shoots constantly."

Agree, we don't want anoth... um... I mean... we don't want one of those.

You never know how well a player will fit into the team and perform until they arrive but Townsend certainly wouldn't excite me as he is far too inconsistent. However, the story may have legs but the downside being as it has been touted that Spurs are interested in Kevin Mirallas and, knowing BK's liking for 'deals', I could see it happening – but I'm hoping that it doesn't.

One good game for England and everyone went mental over Townsend. Rubbish footballer, pacey but that's you lot. Massively overrated.

I'd rather have Andy Townsend than this clown.

I must laugh at how Townsend is written off even though he is young and sure to play more often with us. The lad has loads of potential and if it is true that Roberto wants him then I reckon he can see what others (blue skeptics) cannot !

So far he has done well in his signings and I just hope he does NOT go after Rodwell who is one youngster who has not progressed. Rodders looks the part but just wants to get rid of the ball as soon as he gets it. Not a patch on Stones who is head and shoulders above him already.

Players with potential take opponents on ie; Deulofeu, Stones, Coleman, McCarthy, Barkley and Lukaku. Rodwell plays like Lescott and Arteta, that is give a short pass and NEVER take initiative. Arteta is over shadowed at Arsenal by every other midfielder they have. He passes sideways and backwards and I am always happy when he plays against us.

The midfielders I admire are Lallana, Puncheon, Delph and others who have confidence in their ability to take on and beat opponents. I do not want us to show interest in drones !

If we are in reality after Townsend, Bony and others of that ilk, then I for one am happy and excited if they arrive.

Good player, Townsend... but how many wingers do we need?

If Deulofeu comes back, I don't think we need him.

Also, Holtby would be good: more central mid... Did he really snub us for Spurs?

Utter nonsense ... Unless it's as part of a deal with Mirallas going the other way, which I could see happening.

ESPN stats: Townsend has had 56 shots, and scored one goal, which was a miss-hit cross. 0 assists.

Some other stats...
Coleman: 30 shots, 6 goals, 2 assists.
Barkley: 78 shots, 6 goals.
Mirallas: 81 shots, 8 goals, 8 assists.
Deulofeu: 31 shots, 3 goals, 3 assists.
Barry: 17 shots, 3 goals, 4 assists
Ovideo: 15 shots, 2 goals, 2 assists.
Osman: 50 shots, 3 goals, 4 assists.
Naismith: 35 shots, 5 goals, 2 assists

I think you get my point. If Townsend came to Everton, his selfishness would be criticised more than Osman's shooting ability, and David Moyes (Maybe not Moyes on second thoughts).

And Trevor. There are great midfielders who do not take on players, like Busquets, Alonso, Xavi etc. I agree on Arteta, who I think is now Arsenal's weak link in midfield (I thought he did well in previous seasons), but taking on players is no guarantee of ability. It is often to waste the ball, and waste good opportunities. Andros Townsend will be 23 by the time the next season begins. He has been on loan at 8 different clubs, where his best contribution was 2 goals, and only played in the Premier League this season (when he played) because of a lack of options for Spurs, and injuries to a distinctly average Lennon. He looks good on highlight reels because he hogs the ball and shoots. Because that makes him exciting, but in the larger picture, means he is incredibly wasteful. He had a very good game against Montenegro, who ranked at 54th in the row, are probably the equivalent to a lower Championship team in the relative world of the international stages.

He is all bright lights and no end product. I would argue that virtually every attacking starting winger in the Premier League would have contributed more to Spurs this season. I think Levy will sell, because he can benefit off the hype which still surrounds Townsend. I don't think he is awful as I've made out. I think the selfishness can be coached out of him, and he can become a good championship or lower Premier league attacking midfielder who will contribute a few goals and assists each season, and a couple of eye-catching performances. But he will be nowhere near worth the 5-10mil which will be quoted, and would be an average player in an Everton squad looking for diamonds. And I do not see Mirallas going to a Spurs team who finished below Everton, irrespective of their increased spending capacity. He could do just as well with us, or wait till a Champions League club in a major league comes knocking.

Holtby didn't snub us as we never even bothered to make an offer for him. Spurs got him for 800k but we all know WHL is a black hole for young, talented players.
Despite not being part of their long term plans expect Levy to ask about £10m for him.

As long as Townsend wasn't too expensive I would be interested in the deal. Maybe he could replace the ageing Pienaar?
We would then have him, McGeady and Mirallas competing for wing positions.

While Holtby hasn't been given a fair go by Spurs he didn't exactly light up Fulham and even their manager questioned his appetite for the fight against relegation.
Maybe Roberto could bring out the best in him but I do0n;t think he has the right attitude required by everton.

He's only 22, and has huge potential. For me he started to get carried away with all the praise heaped on him and thought he could win games on his own, he needs to get his head down and start working hard.

Townsend is a quality player. I very much doubt Spurs would let him go and if they did there would be bigger fish than us after him.

Do we seriously believe we are in for players where we will have to pay serious money?

What has happened at the club to make it any different to previous years where our main transfer dealings will be done at the end of August...... Same old, same old.

That is why we are only serious contenders for 5th spot. Thank god Bobby has made it entertaining.

Load off bull, I don't rate Townsend anyway... plus Spurs would want £10M, maybe £12M for him.

Let's move on to the next silly story the papers make up...

It's just my opinion that wingers who take men on are the ones who really excite the fans. Inside forwards similarly worry big defenders by running at them and beating them in one-to-one situations. That is why Bosasie, Lallana, Delph and Puncheon have been a breath of fresh air and not just done jobs!

I played football at professional level and it was exactly the same in my time. Players who make the top are nearly all great dribblers. Players like Messi, Ronaldo, Zola, Henry, Pele, Best and Maradona.

I always loved to watch a player who could do things with a ball that I could not! The comments about Xavi and Alonzo not taking men on is true but that is not in the Premier League which is played at a much higher pace. Arteta would fit right in over in Spain.

Jim # 272

Exactly. The stats don't lie. Anyone who thinks he's a good footballer are deluded. Have you actually watched him closely, and seen his lack of technical ability, or game-nouse? He can run fast, and hit & hope a football and that's it.

His link-play is non existent, he never tracks back and can't tackle, doesn't score goals, doesn't make goals and rarely affects games at all. Why is he seen as a good player??

Jim that is an excellent post and you make a very good case. In particular, your post is very strong in that it acknowledges that Townsend still has potential, especially because his weaknesses are the kind of things that can be coached and improved with experience.

However, I take issue a little bit with James's assertion that 'the stats don't lie'. Not because of a direct contradiction, but there seems to be an assumption that 'the stats don't lie' can be read to mean something like 'the stats are an accurate representation of the truth' which certainly isn't necessarily the case. Stats sometimes (often) misrepresent the truth because they don't take things into account. This may or may not be true of Townsend, but Gareth Bale failed to win any of his first 24 Tottenham games. That's failing to win for most of league season. Any player with that statistic would never play again, surely?

The issue here may be that Townsend is not a good footballer yet, but that he has attributes that will make him one, sooner rather than later. Martinez has spoken about the 18-21 age and how English football fails to develop players in this stage. That he has been on loan at 8 different clubs probably shows a failing in Spurs' development system as much as it does in him, and his failure to create and produce was mostly early in the season, when this was true of the entire Tottenham team, and most of their wins seemed to be 1-0 with softly won Soldado penalties.

"Gareth Bale failed to win any of his first 24 Tottenham games. That's failing to win for most of league season. Any player with that statistic would never play again, surely?"

You're quoting a statistic attributed to the entire team, not just Gareth Bale so I don't see that as relevant at all? Surely the fact that the team didn't win in any of the 24 games he played in (mostly as a substitute by the way) has little to do with him personally and is in fact, pure coincidence?

"That he has been on loan at 8 different clubs probably shows a failing in Spurs' development system as much as it does in him, and his failure to create and produce was mostly early in the season, when this was true of the entire Tottenham team, and most of their wins seemed to be 1-0 with softly won Soldado penalties."

Again you're quoting about the whole team and not just Andros Townsend. Though you do also admit that he hasn't developed and has often been farmed out (in an attempt to coax some development out of him). The statistics above, and actually watching him play, show you that he's just not a very good footballer – and by that I mean technically he just isn't naturally very good at the game. A good friend of mine is a season ticket holder at Spurs, and he says that Townsend is seen as a sprinter and nothing else. He's the new Aaron Lennon.

"Townsend has had 56 shots, and scored one goal, which was a miss-hit cross. 0 assists."

If that statistic doesn't mean anything to you at all, then I don't understand why we even bother to have statistics.

It's not that the statistic doesn't mean anything at all, but it may not tell the whole story. It certainly doesn't mean the player couldn't take 20 shots next season and score 10 goals whilst having 10 assists. The Bale statistic is a team statistic whilst he was playing; they won plenty of games without him. I do deny that it's "pure coincidence", but I don't know exactly what the correlation/causation relationship was between picking Bale and failing to win. No-one can – that's the problem with relying too heavily on statistics for analysing football.

We're having two debates here at once so let me make the separation clear. As for Townsend, you may well be right; I'm not particularly defending him as I haven't seen very much of him, only really the decent week he had for England at the end of last year.

But I wouldn't particularly rely on statistics to form my opinion. If I was going to defend Townsend, or join you in criticising him, I would do so on the basis of having watched him play and seeing what he does within the context of his team and the game.

Football isn't baseball, and the idea that a pure, 'Moneyball'-style statistical analysis will provide genuine insight into the potential a young player has is deeply flawed. You yourself have just corrected and put into context a statistic I provided, and this needs to be done for all statistics within football.

All I'm saying is we should do what you did. Townsend can still be rubbish if you like, but it seems to be that the right coaching and development, especially when it comes to decision-making, could make him a decent player. I'd play him on the left for a start.

Just one extra point: I've heard rumours that he has 'lifestyle' issues and it is a matter of record that he has been done for breaching betting regulations, so it seems there is more to selling or signing him than just what he does on the pitch.

Mike Powell, next silly story......... Stones to Chelsea for £12m. Unbelievable.

"Townsend has had 56 shots, and scored one goal, which was a miss-hit cross. 0 assists."

Transfermarkt gives him 2 Premier League assists, Fantasy Premier League gives him 1. He played 1,233 minutes in the League (13.7 games) spread over 12 starts and 13 sub appearances.

He also played 7 Europa League games with 1 goal and 3 assists, losing only one game which was overturned in the 2nd leg anyway (in which he also played).

If we're going to use stats, let's at least be more accurate about it not just select one that makes the point you wanted to make anyway.