Who's This David Albelda Chap, Then?

Definitely need some experience in the team, but at 33 has he got the hunger?

In my morning after the night before haze, I've just realised it's the Brut that's 33. Most read the posts properly. He's 30, lets get him.

*Must. Oh fuck it, back to bed.

Just been looking on Wikipedia, he's 31 in September. Wasn't in the Spanish Euro squad (not regarded highly enough?) played 11 times (injured?)in La Liga last season, earning 4 bookings and 3 internationals. Don't know sod all about him really to pass comment. Gut feeling says we need to build for future, so someone 5 years younger maybe ???

coys

I'm all for getting him, tho i do wonder whether ramos really does want him as i thought that ideally he wanted most of the squad together quite early on. If that was the case wouldn't there be at least a few whispers of a deal still hovering now?

"I asked him about his contractual situation because if he was leaving for free then I would be interested.”

I think that tells you all you need to know about our interest in this player.

I'm not being critical but why is this being posted today - have I missed something or are you are aware of some new developments??

Albelda didn't play many games last seaon because he wa internally suspended by his club president, along with 2 other players, as the then manager, Ronald Koeman,took a dislike to them and decided they would never play for Valencia again. Ended up in a court case. Koeman since sacked. Albelda highly regarded by Valencia fans.

Further to last,a deal has not been possible because Valencia would not release any of the 3 while Koeman was in charge. He wanted them to rot. Since his departure one of the 3, Canizares,has been released.

glenwasgod: Fair question. I'll answer with a question. Who is our current DM?

The following is from a end of season newspaper article. As you may guess I am all for Albelda joining Spurs.
"But from what I understand, David Albelda could be useful. I recently heard Sid Lowe of the Guardian Football Weekly podcast describe Albelda as “the player [Spain are] lacking, which is basically a horrible, nasty, evil bastard in the middle of the midfield"

Maybe someone to teach Huddlestone (who I'm delighted to see has a new deal) how to put a bit of bite in his play. In which case 31 not a problem, 2 years of Aldelda then Huddlestone to take over the mantel.

Depends on price I guess, at this age the player will have no sell on value and I'd of thought he'll want top dollar wages.

Valencia are believed to want 3m Euros. The following is a recent article (June 2008). He was club captain with 50 international caps.

"With Los Che reported to be in financial difficulties due to their early exit from the Champions League last season, combined with the costs of building a new stadium and the compensation paid to former coach Ronald Koeman, the Spanish club are unlikely to consider letting the player go for nothing despite the fact he did not feature much last season.

Albelda admitted today that Valencia were yet to receive any bid for him, but added he would be more than willing to listen to offers if and when they come.

"It's my obligation to listen to offers because Valencia are after money for me," he told Valencian newspaper Las Provincias.


"What's for sure is it being difficult for them to reach an agreement. Until now all there has been is interest but nothing concrete.

"Right now I'm on holiday and I don't want to know about any of this.

"I'm a Valencia player, I have a contract with them and I'll only get involved when it's time to sign something, if in the end there's an agreement."

Albelda is looking to move away after being dropped from the Valencia first team by Koeman last season, after which he sat out most of the team's disappointing campaign.

The club's new coaching staff have said they want Albelda to stay, but the midfielder insists it is too late to repair the damage.

"Valencia should have considered me an important player in December, not now," he continued.

"That's what I would have liked, that they had thought about this the day they took the decision to kick me out of the first team and throw the club's values to the floor.

"Honestly I don't feel nor can I feel important to them (the club directors)."

Harry, sorry to monopolise the forum this morning, but you did ask so I've attempted to provide as much info as possible. The following is about a weel old. Love the site by the way.

"Valencia have confirmed that David Albelda is heading for the exit door at the Mestella stadium after the club's director Juan Sanchez confirmed discussions were ongoing.

It is believed that Real Betis and Bolton could be two sides in for the Spain international.

"He has a contract and therefore we are working on a transfer for him and if that does not work out then we will look for something else that will benefit everyone," Sánchez explained.

"We expect to reach one soon and that everyone will end up happy with the deal."

HH

Not sure if we can stem away from the ALbeda topic BUT Poyet has at least said something about Keano's situation.....not 100% convinced that Rk hasnt made waves about leaving but at least its something (if Sky can be believed)

Off topic but interesting:

LINK

"If we lost Robbie it would be too much."
Gus is clearly an emotional man. Glad to see the club letting Bobby K know how much they want him to stay. And Berb too.
Oh, and good work there welshspur2307.

Welshspur is spot on.

Been reading on this site for a few weeks now.... Im impressed HH,keep up the good work. This will be my 1st post of many, I hope. COYS

But Im sure by the start of the season JR will have the DM position sorted... and LM and CB cover and areplacement for Bent.

Im not ITK its just "In Ramos I Trust" after the trophy he pulled off. No matee how much we all loved Jol, we dont really believe he would have won it for us after the mistakes the season before.

He's bought quality all round the pitch, a man like Ramos doesnt overlook the DM.
If anything Hudd will be back up to whoever he brings in.

Like you say H he smells like someone we could do with and he's 4 years younger than Makalele. We could do with an older head in the middle of the park.

Oh and here's his Ginola impression

LINK

Regarding policing the site, if you want this blog to retain it's atmosphere, general bon homie and humour you have no choice, Harry.

Well done

On Albelda, would he have to wrestle the No 6 shirt from Tainio? Could be interesting. Separately, I wonder how many Spurs players Jol wants to sign for Hamburg? Could show exactly who he brought in in the 1st place!

coys

ODM - I've a cofession to make, it's not about the site. It's seeing an opportunity to dress up as a WPC and seizing it.

kwakspur, the way things are going, it might be that Bent is the only striker at the club next season.

Albelda would be a similar signing to Davids. The first half of his first season gave us the drive to move up the table. If Albedla were to sign even for just one season, it could be the difference between making the CL or not. Buy a younger DM the next year.

I've always thought you'd look good in a girls uniform especially with your legs.

Maybe a pre-requisite of posting should be cross dressing. I'm partial to a bit of Chiffon myself.

i like the sound of this... there's something about the way you've described him there Harry.. 'blessed with brains'...

if this happens what will happen to poor old Jermaine?? reserves?

goons were after him 3 yrs ago but it fell thru at last minute. the guy is solid. not dissimilar mould of player to roy keane.

we need someone like this. veloso may be good but he's another youngster, i feel we need a good DM of experience.

Xavi Alonso from liverpool wouldnt be bad either. diarra from pompey. real madrid have a plethora of good Dm, maybe look there...

still, with Big tom getting a new contract maybe juande sees the hudd being the one..

Breaking News-

"Tottenham have banned players from giving autographs to fans at the entrance to their training ground because of safety fears."

Now they can't trust Jenas with a pen, let alone a football.

I must agree that Albelda would be an excellent pick up. I would have said all welshspur2307 said regarding his situation and lack of football last year. Valencia was a club in a real mess last year, despite winning the Copa del Rey. He would cerrtainly inject some bite into the squad. Awaiting further developments. And that clip was incredible. Lee bad. Welcome welshspur2307, nice to see some intelligent comments.

JJ aint consistent enough to be in the 1st team, and you could be right TMWNN.
But Im praying they stay.
Pool dont have the money for Keane, and Man.U wont pay what we'll charge them.
I here we've agreed a deal for 1 year with Berba then let him go cheaper next season, but i have a feeling that Barca or Real will take him for a decent amount this season, then we can get a serious goalscorer. Im not saying I'd be upset if he stayed, but we all know he can get moody and we dont need it trying to get in the Top 4.

Would definitely be happy to see him here next season, lets just hope it's true! Could do a Davids! (I know that I probably won't be agreed with, but I personally think he was awesome for us, especially his first season)

Sorry for going off subject, but with regards to a LM, do you reckon Ramos may have Bale in mind for it? He did a pretty good job there last year, and i'm sure I remember somebody being quoted when he signed, that was where they planned to use him.

Gilberto LB and Bale LM... what do you reckon?

excellent editing there Harry.. 9/10

It's nothing personal, but there's near random stuff being posted up that belongs in a forum. This isn't a forum.

An alternative younger version would be Borja Oubina, already linked with Spurs earlier in the summer. Linked with Ars**** earlier in his career but had a dreadful time at Brum last year when injured in his first game. May be worth a gamble. These are some quotes from a Spanish site,
"I think the most important player on the pitch is your holding defender that plays in front of your defensive line, so for me it has to be Borja Oubiña. He's the second best at what he does in La Liga and he reminds me of a certain defending midfielder who used to play around these parts a few years ago (I'm referring to Claude Makelele).

Oubina has been consistently excellent all season. He is great prospect for Celta and Spain. The only time I have seen him seem a little troubled was the recent game against Barcelona. It amazes me how he can dominate the midfield at such a young age.

When Celta don't have posession he sits comfortablly in front of the back four. He is intelligent as when Celta are commiting players forward he will decide to stay back in case of a counter. I think Celta's success has largely come to just how good their central midfield pairing have been."

are we not being sightly presumptuous that we are to sign a DM? surely a guaranteed first teamer like albelda coming in would mean were to play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 as chelsea pretend it to be.

i know many have their reservations about jenas but i believe ramos will intend to use jenas and modric as starters. to add a DM into the mix (of a 442) would mean dropping Lennon which leaves us very un-spurs like and narrow, or dropping steed and having 3 balerinas in the middle?

assuming we stay 442 i think its more likely we'd be looking for a decent wide man who can play both flanks, and then using 2 of Jenas, Modric or Huddlestone in the middle. lennon and steed as either other wing/impact sub.

If we sign a DM like Albelda we'd be lining up with 443 with albelda, jenas, modric, middle 3, robbie berba and lennon front 3. sounds quite strong but its a fundamental change of style.

isnt it?

sorry should read 433 in last paragraph

Afternoon all, interesting post Harry...

First off i would personally be delighted with Albelda if we manage to get him?

He would be just the kind of experienced player, the squad so desperately needs. It's all good well saying we should get a younger player in this position, which for me has become something of a specialist position in recent times, but you the need the right balance of youth and experience, and as DM it would be ideal to have someone with the latter?

Let's not get carried away with Dos Santos; he looks an incredible player, but to keep on referring to him as our left winger / midfielder / attacker, is barmy. The season is played out over 9 months and some people forget he is still very young. Wether he starts as one of Ramos' "first 11" I don't know; personally I think in his first season he will start more on the bench. I may be wrong!! Jenas and Modric will be an excellent partnership next season; mark my words. Modric as the DM.

coys

I dont think Modric will be our DM as Juande has already stated he wants Modric up closer to our strikers so that he can do the damage in the opponents box. With the personnel he is after i do belive he will go 5 in midfield especially against the so called top 4. He will play with wingers , flood the midfield and hit them hard on the counter attack.

By the way, with the squad heading off to Spain for a pre-season get together soon, what odds of tabloid undercover journalism revealing high jinks, letting off fire extinguishers, sex stories and the like? You heard it here first !!!!

coys

I think your bang on the money there dannyboy.

Splash it all over.

LINK

mike you are spot on mate, people seem to think just because we all saw Modric play in a deeper roll in the Euro's, that he will automatically do the same for Spurs.

Yes on occasions he may be asked to do so, due to a lack of options for whatever reason, but i think we never got to see the real Modric playing for Croatia. But under Juande who will play him as an AM as well as out wide, you will see the real deal.

Here are some quotes from Ramos, with regards to his and Tottenham's new signing;

“He is very talented and plays with great intensity. He is powerful and has a lot of quality. He also makes strong shots and is both left and right footed. Without a doubt he is a very complete footballer who has enormous potential.”

“He has great mobility on the pitch, and because of this he is good in defense as well as in attack. He is a hard worker and is tactically a quality footballer.”

“I am certain he is going to bring a lot to the team. Modric is very young but he is already a star. He has played more than 20 times for Croatia, which proves he is mentally strong; this is important to help our team improve.”

Make of them what you will...

Bruce, I watched that this morning, what a gloriously ropey Ad...

LINK

Are you tryin' to muscle in on my act?

LINK

I do belive dos santos is replacement for defoe but this kid gives us more options ie; either wing or striker. For Juande to press ahead and try and get capel i cant see dos santos playing as many games as he thinks. If all goes well my first 11 would be gomes,hutton,woodgate,king,bale,bentley,modric,veluso,capel,keane, and berbatov. Dont get me wrong i know will play about 60 games but you cant change a winning team too much so i think he will be on the bench alot (impact player).

Marcos Senna over Albelda any day of the week.

Harry are you going to use an even hand with regards to irrelevant posts? Unless you're aware that Albelda has a secret past as a ninja with a B.O. problem of course.

epic: I will be using a...
LINK

Dannyboy that's ridiculous..

i know Jenas is your favourite (we all have our own) but you cannot expect one of the top AM's in Europe to play as a DM just to accommodate your boy Jenas??

now don't get me wrong.. as a Tottenham fan i will be giving Jenas a clean slate this year and i want him to go out and impress me... and I'm sure you, as a Tottenham fan will do the same for Berb if he's here...

but what you've suggested is, as i said, ridiculous..

Actually, I have to agree with Dannyboy as well, Modric will be playing a more defensive role, like what carrick used to do for us. Those Ramos quotes, if anything, show that Ramos recognizes that he has good defensive qualities. Also, for those of you who think we're gonna sign Veloso, you can keep dreaming, its never gonna happen.

Gomez, Hutton, King, Woody, Bale, Bently?(still wondering)/Lennon, Modric, Jenas/Hudd/Zokora, Dos Santos/Malbranque, Keane, Berba

I think thats a lot more realistic than what most people have put out (as pointed out before, Ramos wanted all his signings in already, so at most we'll sign one or two players)

Just like I said earlier Jenas aint consistent enough to be our 1st choice A.Mid. He's had his chance for the last two seasons, as Jol never left him out. He'll probably learn alot from Modric and improve, I'm sure Modric will get a few goal in that position.

I think Albelda would be a good choice with all the experience he has and I'm sure The Hudd will learn alot off him and maybe finally replace Carrick in time.

I have to say... I'm happy to here Lennon wont be going anywhere, he'll improve so much under Ramos. Two seasons ago he was brilliant and he'll do it again. I think he'll be in the England team next season too, because no one consistently goes past people so easily like he does.

Bimitar - dangle the bait and the fishes will bite ;-) 1-0 to me I believe?!

And thanks for the support EDM.

coys

It's fair comment that this time out JJ will have to deliver whatever his position. There will have been, by the time this window closes, what can have only be called a cull.

The divide between who's percieved as a player that will advance the CL cause and those that won't has been measured by transfer out and last chances issued. Lennon, Huddlstone and Jenas are all in the second boat. Gifted but not consistent enough.

Ramos fixes what is not working. Leaky defence? Woodgate & Hutton. Wonky goalie? Bosh. Gomes.

Ramos, unless he proves me wrong in the next while will place greater stock in the likes of Malbranque and Tainio. Less eyecatching, but fundamentally decent squad players who invariably turn in solid performances. They rarely go missing. The days of fannying around and losing games in the last 8 minutes may well be at an end.

So, I hear three of you say, is the plan to turn us into Bolton eventually, then?

Of course not. But JR's purchases of Johnny Two Saints and the Croatian really do emphasise the fact that he too was sick and tired of watching a midlfield that was too frequently just INCAPABLE.

Berbatov & Keane. All prejudices to one side, as we know the collosal baggage that we Yids attach to these poor schmucks... That's a very sexy partnership. Emotionally and statistically.

The Berbaslaters talk of sullen this and sulky that... but what would you do if the morons at your place of work held you back? Would your infuriation not lead to depression and the thought of getting your CV out again?

Defoe was eventually prized out of his cosy crib at WHL, went to side with a modest enough midfield and lo, it came to pass, that with service, he scored.

So the fancy boys will have to up their game. The journeymen give it their upmost. The tolerance has obviously gone and this will be a bloody interesting campaign.

Does anyone else think they've just been told off by Headmaster Hotspur? What next? Lines? Detention? *sobs quietly in the corner*

;-)

How's about bollocks? We were 5th highest goal scorers in the league last season, so must have created a few chances??? The problem was at the other end - also 5th highest with 61 let in. The fact that Ramos bought Hutton and Woodgate in JANUARY and Gomes now, speaks volumes. Now go home and write 100 times 'I must get my facts right'

Debate is good for the soul.

coys

it's going to be a long season eh Dannyboy?!

1-0 it is then..

Still no sign of Bentley despite your "exclusive report" that he had his medical at the start of last week. Anything to say on that ? hahahahahahaha

oi, oi!!!

AAL - Good evening Cooky. I do hope you popping over here isn't distracting you from any 'Goat maintainance'...

I think all will be revealed this week. Thursday is being touted.

Why did you put exclusive in inverted commas? The Guardian didn't.

Hahahahahahahaha.

Come on Orig. Dannyboy, you know I love Jenas really.... now where's me bleedin' apple? ;)

Mr Hotspur is spot on.

Despite the goals provided by the frontmen in too many games "we" failed to kill off the opposition. This allowed the other team back into the game and put the back four under pressure. All too often they couldn't cope.

The key in both repects was the midfield or lack of it. Not enough goals to support the strikers and a lack of cover for the back four.

The signings so far indicate Snr Ramos intends the midfield to be the key to any success. Two footed players who can hold on to the ball. Opponents can't damage you if they don't have the ball. Width and pace will be a feature hence the links with Bentley and Capel. A holding midfielder will arrive, it's inevitable.

But as Mr Hotspur indicates, the key is consistency

theoriginaldannyboy: He didnt play cuz Koeman didnt want them to, and look how it went for Koemans gang.. Almost relegated..

This has to be the best option for the DM position for a few reasons:

Thudd is obviously rated otherwise he would not have been given a new contract.

We do not have an endless wad of cash, so if we are to spend big going forward (Modric, Bentley & Capel maybe...)then we must look at cheper, experienced options for other areas.

As many have said, the 'Edgar Davids effect' would be beneficial to the younger players in terms of passing on knowledge and experience. But also installing confidence into the defence and keeper that a well established player is protecting them.


Whether it be Albelda or another man of experience and quality at the wrong side of 30, the risk of wasting a couple of million quid is outweighed by the positives they would bring to a very young squad.


p.s Mr Ramos, you should fuck off Jenas while his stock is fairly high as he is no good. Harry, see that he does this please.

Albelda is a class act. Defensive midfielder that steals the ball, fouls, transitions defense to attack, etc. As stated previous he was blacklisted by Tin Tin Koeman who almost destroyed Valencia last year. He didn't play, so he was not called up to La Furia Roja. BTW Senna took his place. Valencia is in debt, so they are in desperate need of money. Tottenham have the money and it would be well spent. 3M is nothing.

This LINK is in the Mirror, but is written in a 'IS happening style'... could this be unrelated to Albelda?

Put it like this, if Pascal is off to them, then now is when he would come over...

It's fairly obvious that starting opportunities for Jenas are going to be about as rare as a decent Lennon cross, especially IF we sign a player of Albelda's ilk.

Completely agree with Jaunde Pablos, get some cash for Jenas while he's still managing to hoodwink managers and well meaning, but blinkered, Spurs fans alike.

If Chimbo is off to Valencia in £8m deal I can only assume we are paying them.

If not Levy really is good!

We have been linked to a number of Valencia players so if Chimbo and £8m are correct I might have thought Joaquín a more likely target.

"Running down the wing with a pistol in his waist, Johnny two saints"

Agree J2S, You would of thought some kind of swap or player plus cash deal could be done for at least 3 of their players.

I would be sorely disappointed if we signed joaquin. Anyone who watches la liga knows that he is as inconsistent as they come. On his day he can beat the best of defenders, but on most days he does absolutely nothing and you forget that hes even paying...hmmm sounds familiar dont it?

Johhnytwosaints........

Levy is that good! the man got £6M for MIDO!!! He turned a £16.5m profit on Carrick.

Its no surprise at all that we have shifted Chimbo for £8m. The guy has uefa cup experience with us (valencia are in the uefa cup this year) he has been one of the best attacking RB's in the premier league for a number of years now and I think that given the pace of La Liga that he will not be made to pay for his numerous moments of madness the way he was in the premier league. I think when Hutton was bought in it was the beginning of the end of for Chimbo, thought he did well at LB but not good enough to hold off Bale.

Either way its good to see the board making some good money on players we dont want! I fully expect Sir Tony Gardner to be sold for around £5m LOL!!

On another note!! sheer joy in my heart this morning when i saw that Crouch is on the verge of joining 'Arry's managerie at Pompey!! Let this e the end to all those stupid Crouch/Keano swap stories. Saying that the Daily Mail is so anti-spurs that its unbelievable so expect Ramos to be linked with the Spain job, Modric to be leaving before he arrived etc..

ONLY 21 DAYS TO THE NORWICH FRIENDLY!! COYS!!

Great business if true (it was reported in The Mirror).

Here J2S,especially for you

Try this instead

LINK

Very exciting to see the boys back in training. Also nice to see the official website providing us with Marco Alvarezs training diary.

Cant wait to see the difference at the start of the season after the pre-season is organised by Ramos and Alvarez. Hopefully we should hit the ground running...

Well, the same story has been reported in the telegraph this morning and numerous other news sites so there must be some substance in it. Especially as he is reported to be ready to turn up for their pre-season training.

No matter what anyone thinks of the guy, Levy always has Tottenhams best interests at heart. It bodes well for Ramos because now he is Levy's choice he will get full support in his transfer targets. Lets just hope we can complete our squad building soon so that they all have some good pre-season training together.

TMWNN

Thanks for the link.

Do know this version after all, just didn't know the name of the band.

(holds head in shame)

Norman the Goat sends his love. Like me, he remembers with affection our PMs about Peter Cook. Anyway, the fact the Guardian picked your "scoop" up doesn't make it true. But let's face it, who cares any more what the truth is in this post-modern age. It does seem fairly clear however that the story about the medical was bollocks, amusing bollocks but bollocks nonetheless. Are you enjoying life in London under Boris by the way ? I don't mind all the girly argy-bargy about website "ITK" nonsense but I was very disappointed to find out you were a Tory. Love AAL.

Come AAL, you don't have to be Tory to vote for Boris. Just someone who appreciates cycle clips.

Bentley thing is on it's way. Patience, dear.
The PM's weren't from me I'm afraid, but might be best if we left Norm out the loop. I must away, I've a luncheon booked at an exclusive restaurant... LINK

I like bicycle clips as much as the next man but I'm sorry, you DO have to be a Tory to vote for Boris by any reasonable standards. Yes the Bentley transfer will no doubt happen but that is all over NewsNow, I am sniggering up my sleeve about the medical "scoop". Anyway, bon appétit old fruit !

If I were you Mr Lie, I'd start manufacturing some words, find a nice big pot, half fill with water, alittle salt and pepper, leave to cook for 25 minutes.....

And get ready to EAT WELL

Forget waitin 25 minutes...

Here's one we all made earlier.... Old Fruit

On the Chimbo discussion, bearing in mind the media were talking rubbish about him going to Prem club for a 2m quick sale, to get 8M for him is a class bit of business by Levy!

Hopefully the 1st of many that need to be shhipped out.... Robbo, Daws, Kaboul, Tony.G, Rocha, Stalteri, Boateng, Zokora & maybe even Bent.

As soon as I saw the story this morning i was SURE that we'll be signing someone from Valencia very soon. Hopefully Albelda.
We definately wont be signind Joaquin, why would we put a statement out yesterday saying Lennon is staying, then buy Bentley and then go for Joaquin, dont make sense having 3 players fighting for one spot.
Its obvious JR wants to buy Capel or someone else for the left stop so I think Bentley will be playing on the right.

Can not wait for the Norwich game.

COYS