Premier League Nonsense

You could sense the feeling of delight that coursed through Sir Alex Ferguson veins after he finally secured the signing of Arsenal’s Dutch striker, Robin Van Persie. He was reminded of his strike force from 1999 when the Red Devils lifted an unprecedented treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

That team boasted Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Skolsjaer.

Van Persie joins a United strike force already boasting Wayne Rooney, Danny Wellbeck and Javier Hernandez.

Every team needs good strikers if they are going to achieve anything; the more the merrier.

But Tottenham Hotspur’s new gaffer, Andre Villas Boas has looked elsewhere on the field for his foursome.

His signing of French goalkeeper Hugh Lloris means he has an incredible four men contending a spot between the sticks; an embarrassment of riches at a club with demanding fans expecting a tilt at the Premier League.

The current incumbent is the ageless Brad Friedel, now in his 40s and he shows no signs of relinquishing his spot after an impressive performance at the weekend that kept a determined Norwich City at bay until Snodgrass’ late equalizer.

The former USA international has been one of the most consistent performers in history of the Premier League, missing just five games in 12 seasons. That he started against Norwich, at the expense of the new signing Lloris suggests interesting times ahead at White Hart Lane as AVB seeks to juggle his keepers.

Behind him in the pecking order is Italian keeper Carlo Cudicini who has earned himself a more than decent wedge by sitting on benches in England since signing for Chelsea just before Roman Abramovich’s millions propelled them to another level.

No one doubted Cudicini’s ability as he replaced Ed de Goey, he was voted player of the year in his early days, but once Peter Cech was brought into Stamford Bridge the Italian’s days were numbered and it seems he has been quite happy to accept his fate. Now 38, he turns 39 this week, and nearing the end of his career which has seen something in the region of 160 Premier League games over 12 years he seems happy to accept his fate.

Gomes is the fourth keeper in Tottenham’s overcrowded coop. After four years at the club the Brazilian has never really felt like the first choice at a club where they have seen such luminaries as Barry Daines, Miljia Aleksic and Tony Parkes between the sticks in days of yore.

Lloris though comes with a stronger pedigree. He is the first choice keeper of the French national team as well as being captain. He won’t be too happy playing second, or third or fourth fiddle at White Hart Lane.

AVB has been quoted as saying that there is no guarantee in a player’s contract saying they will be a starter and while that may be true it may not be how Lloris sees things.

There is a feeling that during AVB’s short lived reign at Chelsea he alienated some of the more experienced players making his position all but untenable. International captains tend not to enjoy warming benches for their club side and we can be sure if Lloris continues to find his way to being first choice continues to be blocked for much longer, fine form or not, then he will be making his displeasure felt.

It looks like AVB’s early days at Tottenham could well ape his time at Stamford Bridge. And in Daniel Levy he has a boss who is only marginally more patient that Abramovich.