da wazamba： Not surprisingly, West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino is once again being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The 22-year old infamously vowed to never play for the Baggies after the club rejected four offers and a transfer request as the forward’s move to North London collapsed.
da bwin： It doesn’t seem as if he’s ever been the same since. Only three goals have followed this season as he has struggled for form and fitness under Tony Pulis. Reports of a fallout are rife; as big clubs apparently circle over the England-under 21 international.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle are understood to be monitoring his situation at the Hawthorns, though the move to White Hart Lane remains the most likely. If he can get fit and firing once more, he is one of the most exciting prospects in English football.
Still, Harry Kane remains the talisman for Spurs and his heroic form shows no signs of stopping. So why should Spurs splash the reported £20m odd it would cost to land Berahino, on a backup striker?
Well, here’s FIVE reasons…
SHARE THE BURDEN
Harry Kane is clearly the star of this exciting Spurs team. He’s one of their own after all. However, the club risk an over reliance on the England star as they look to challenge in both the Premier League and in Europe. Should they land Champions League football, the burden he bears will only increase.
Signing Berahino this winter would help ease some of the pressure on Kane, while giving the Baggies star a bedding in process. As he returns to full fitness, the 22-year old could settle in with the club and start to form a partnership with sweetheart of White Hart Lane.
Becoming at ease with his new surroundings while the going is good could be the key to unlock success with the club. Should he arrive in the summer after a frustrating season the Midlands, it may be too much to ask for him to pick up last season’s form right away.
Having six months to come to terms with everything surrounding a big money move may be more beneficial in the long run, especially if the club reach the Champions League.
Mauricio Pochettino would then have two young, English forwards to field who have a track record of notching in the Premier League. Not many coaches in the league have that luxury.
MOVEMENT
When at his best, Berahino is truly a livewire up front. A pacey, athletic option, he’s not as likely to drop deep like Kane, rather stay further up and play on the shoulder of the last defender.
He has previously spoken of his admiration for the likes of Didier Drogba, Jermain Defoe and Samuel Eto’o ‘because of their movement and the way they finish.’ Clearly, he enjoys the prospect of finding space in the box and latching onto chances.
Almost a ‘fox in the box’ option, the alternative he provides to the other forwards in the team can help grab games. In the losses to Newcastle and Manchester United, Spurs arguably should have had the game wrapped up well before their eventual collapse.
Acquiring a poacher to nab goals late on will surely help eradicate further slip ups of a similar kind.
With the likes of Christian Eriksen behind him, or Kane next to him, the 22-year old can expect plenty of chances. His energy will fit right in to the ethos surrounding Spurs at the present moment, as this young side continue to impress.
CREATING SPACE
While he’s not the most technically gifted of footballers, Berahino uses his knack for finding space in the final third for so much more than simply scoring goals. Though he’s never likely to convince Pochettino to drop Harry Kane, the pair could perform an effective partnership.
England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate praised his ability to create space for others, dragging defenders wide to release midfield runners. As he continues to develop his understanding of the game, his work off the ball could see an increased flurry of goals for him and his teammates.
With a certain Dele Alli operating behind him, or Erik Lamela aiming to cut inside, he could potentially add assists to his game as well as goals.
Perhaps that £20m isn’t so bad after all.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
As much as his arrival would no doubt boost the situation on the playing field, landing a player linked with likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester would also be a huge statement of intent off of it.
By signing a talented young English forward, Pochettino is surely signalling to his peers that this side are going nowhere. As ever with Spurs, their best players are reported to be of interest to other big team, but they may well become a buying club, rather than a selling one.
To sign a striker of Berahino’s quality to supplement the likes of Harry Kane, rather than replace him, would suggest that Spurs see their future in the top order of the Premier League. By constantly looking to improve on a nucleus of hungry, young talents, perhaps we are seeing the start of a dynasty in North London.
It doesn’t sound like the Tottenham Hotspur we know, but that really isn’t a bad thing as they look to move from the torrid post Gareth Bale affair.
PRESSING NEEDS
Unless you’re an Arsenal fan, you’ve probably waxed poetic about the dynamism of this Tottenham Hotspur team this term. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has imposed a system of almost boundless energy within the ranks, adding youth as well as obvious quality.
As his team begins to grow, added layers of class can be added. Though he’s currently sat on the naughty step, Baggies teammates have previously praised the 22-year old for his determination in training and incessant work rate.
This stands him in good stead to fit in at White Hart Lane. Clearly, he can score goals in the Premier League, so under the potential stewardship of the Argentine tactician, could truly become a force to be reckoned with.
By applying pressure on the ball, increasing his positional understanding while without it, Berahino could realise his potential for both club and country.