Ask any Spurs fan this season and they will tell you they are pretty happy with their team at the minute. Not only do they look like getting into the top four, they are playing attacking football, look solid at the back and have some real quality in their ranks. Add to this the prospect of a new and improved stadium and also finally trying to rid themselves of the ‘selling club’ tag by keeping hold of Modric and as Levy has stated – should any big money offers come in January – Gareth Bale, things look better than they have for Spurs fans in a long time.
Key to beginning to awaken one of the biggest sleeping giants in English football is not only current players such as the inspirational Ledley King, nor is it retaining players like Modric, it is also in part down to the additions of Parker, Friedel and Adebayor.
Whilst Parker and keeper Friedel are there to stay, it is Adebayor who’s future throws up the most questions, as the striker is currently on loan at the North Londoners, and whilst parent club Manchester City would be happy to sell the player, his wages would be a sticking point, with Adebayor reluctant to take a dramatic cut, stating he aims to earn as much as possible from his career and keep donating a large part of his salary to the numerous charity projects he funds in Africa.
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However, for the short term at least, the Togo international has been a key part of the success at Spurs, scoring 7 times in 11 appearances, and also providing assists for the team – none more so than Van Der Vaart, whom he has formed an understanding with due to the Dutchman’s preference of playing off a single striker – something Adebayor is able to play as easily, with his strength and technical ability, not to mention pace something that makes him ideal as the lone striker.
This is not to say he cannot play with a partner – Defoe and Adebayor are able to play well together, with Adebayor also willing to track back and help the team – or as he puts it ‘be the first line of defence.’
When questioning if the African striker is one to keep or to use as a season long stop gap, it is worth noting that when the three summer arrivals of Adebayor, Friedel and Parker have started the game, Spurs have taken 28 from a potential 30 points, and with Adebayor contributing 7 goals in the 10 games referred to above – all in the Premier League – and his importance for the team cannot be overlooked.
The player himself is a likeable enough guy, and the amount of charity work that he does cannot go unmentioned, yet Adebayor is someone who needs to feel loved to perform at his best, and certainly did not feel this at City under Mancini. However, under Redknapp he not only feels wanted but also confident and that is key to his game.
Long term Spurs may not be willing to pay the £170,000 per week for the player, not to mention the transfer fee it would cost them – yet with Adebayor looking better and better, he will not be short of suitors, and as an integral part of the success at White Hart Lane this season, Redknapp may do well to try and find a way to acquire the player on a permanent deal – after all you can’t put a price on success can you?
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