Home > Football > Spurs closing in on Kaboul and Sneijder
by Luke Durkin on 24 May 2007
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According to French sources, Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signature of Auxerre defender Younes Kaboul. The 6ft 4in stopper is expected to sign a four-year deal with the north London club in the next week or so. This would mean that Kaboul will join current defenders Michael Dawson and Ledley King in the race to capture a spot in the prestigious Champions League next season.
Kaboul has contributed well to the success of Auxerre this season. A bold figure in defence, he has also had his name on the scoresheet this season. Both Lyon and Fiorentina were among the other clubs after his signature.
Another hot prospect for Martin Jol is Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who looks set to leave Ajax Amsterdam after a successful career in Holland. Playmaker Sneijder has been linked with Tottenham in recent weeks and it looks as though Jol will place a bid which, if successful, would land the Dutchman a place in the starting line-up for sure next season.
Born in Utrecht, Sneijder has found his way into regular first-team football in Amsterdam after rising up through the youth ranks. Standing a mere 5ft 7in, he is firm on the ball with great control and is two-footed. He looks like a more realistic suitor to the attacking midfield place behind the front two. With pace on the wing from Aaron Lennon and Sneijder in midfield, Spurs would have more bite and pace to feed Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane (if he stays).
I don't believe that it will take a substantial amount of money to lure Sneijder away from Ajax, but Spurs will face stiff competition from both Newcastle United and Valencia if they are to steal his signature. With a strengthened defence next season, Jol must look also to the strengthening of the midfield with left wing and centre midfield a priority to secure success.
Sneijder reminds me of a less physical Kaka as he has an amazing range on long passes to the attack force and runs at goal when given the chance.
Comments (33)
by YIDDOOOOOOOO on May 23, 2007
What is the point in us getting excited over a world class midfielder? We could sign any two midfielders in the world and Jol would never play them ahead of Jenas!
by Jeeenas on May 23, 2007
and Jenas scored 8 goals in 33 matches...so what the complaint is about?
by rob on May 23, 2007
Would love to get Sneijder, and it seems bale is on the cards too. But i am still unsure about kaboul. i hope that jol himself has had a good look at this player, because we are seeing alot of riff-raff come through the transfer system for our defence positions. we still need a decent left back, and still need a decent cover for centre back.
by luke on May 23, 2007
jenas i good but if jol gets the chance to sign sneijder, jenas will be on his way to everton!
by AllSeeingEye on May 23, 2007
This is tosh! Why would Sneijder want to leave Ajax for a team who aren't in the Champs Lge next season? Where do you come up with your stories?
by Edward Salmon on May 23, 2007
Martin Jol doesn´t realise what a side he already has. everbody´s gone Berbatov crazy. I admit he´s a talented player, and has made a huge difference together with Keane. But I can´t help noticing the fact that Defoe is judged as a poor player, while he only gets 10 minutes on the field every game. You ´can´t expect miracles. Jenas on the other hand, I´ve seen him do great things this season, but I´ve also witnessed terrible corners, free-kicks and ball loss due to Jenas.
jenas hasnst been brilliant this season, he has messup with dead ball situations as well as creating chances. Defoe is under-rated and he was once our most prized asset. Defoe should be given more playing time if not he should be guarenteed 1st team football elsewhere to meet his talents.
by edward salmon on May 23, 2007
Martin Jol needs to assess the situation. On one hand he has Berbatov. An elite player with loads of potential. But with the lure of the European elite clubs, can he guarantee that he will be there for Spurs in the future? the obvious answer is the right one, beeing, no he cannot. Defoe has stuck by Spurs even when he has received interest from European elite clubs. Defoe is still one of the crowds favourite and a prized asset at the lane, a versatile strike that, when given a chance, is just as capable of being part of an top strike force as Berbatov and Keane. So, for the long term,(and it breaks my heart to say this as I am a lifelong spurs fanatic) I would say, Berbatov out, and Defoe in the starting 11. Pederson on the wing with Lennon, Bale centerback, and Kaboul nowhere, seeing as he´s admitted to admiring once playing for the gunners.
by Jol on May 23, 2007
What 10 minutes? Defoe started more than Keane in the league. Martin Jol does'nt relise of WHAT? He is the Manager of the club!
by mori on May 23, 2007
If we do get kaboul, bale and sneijder a real left winger (please please PLEASE!) then we will certainly be a formidable outfit next season... No-one knew much about Berba or Zok before they came so don't worry about kaboul... Jenas is still potential - it's simple, he can't pass or defend well enough, OK he's scored 8 goals and got great pass but can we afford to carry him for another season - he ain't no Lampard or as it pains me to admit, no Pires... In Jol we trust.... COYS
by Fal on May 23, 2007
jol placed a 15 mil pricetag on jenas for everton so lets see how wanted he is, hes a good player but for europe we need more experience. sneijder is far better than him. Keep defoe!
by Essexian76 on May 23, 2007
Jenas confuses me, he's got everything a player could ask for.But for some reason or other it aint happening on a regular basis. Perhaps he needs a partner to spark him, but I have an awful feeling theres a real talent waiting to break out, hope its with us. Snieder, Van Der Vaart could be very useful additions if we are serious about a challenge next term
by spurrrfect on May 23, 2007
is probabl;y going to valencia or another spanish club. Been on Dutch TV.
by lj on May 23, 2007
van der vaart would be good jus a player im midfield with plenty of champions league experience. apart from berbatov and keane the same goes to all positions we need all round experience to take us one step higher next year!!!!!
by Jim on May 23, 2007
sneijder is a quality player, definitely has ambition thats wat spurs need for future prospects!!
by chico on May 23, 2007
bring in pedersen, sneijder, bale and kaboul we'll be laughin next season!!!!!!
by doubtful on May 24, 2007
you're running a confirmed story that isn't new about Kaboul, and you've tacked on some rubbish about Sneijder at the end of it. A WORK OF FICTION!
by Love Juice on May 24, 2007
If we could sign Sneijder that would be a real coup. Can't see it myself!
by Ray Clemence on May 24, 2007
If we can make some interesting signings this summer we will make top 4 next season. Berbatov scoring 23 goals just in the league and Robbo only letting 25 balls behind him... then we are in the Champions League 2008/09!!!
by ash on May 24, 2007
without jenas last year we were pretty much poor in midfield with is where the game is won. he goes missing in big games which is a problem and he sucks with free kicks but i sense he is maturing. next year is make or break for him. if he becomes consistent for us he will be worth 20m plus.i personaly think he is more talented than lampard who gets almost a free roll as a third striker to score all those goals
by w on May 24, 2007
Jenas scored 8 goals last season and 7 before - who would you replace him with that will get us these goals and will move to us? Unless you go to a majority of games in the season you could not possibly comment on a players' consistency.
by Stephen on May 24, 2007
anyone who thinks that berb should leave can not call themselves a spurs fan... Every team needs a player liek him to take them to the next level and keep them there.....ronaldo (utd) lampard (chelsea) henry (goons) etc that is the difference between being best of the rest and top 4 and berb is that player. So anyone who thinkls we should ship him out and play defoe is blind. Defoe is a good predator but when it comes to teamwork he hasnt a clue and although i think he is useful and we should keep him i wont be getting any sleepless nights if he is sold. so ed why dont you think about your last comment properly and you will realise how stupid you are! COYS
by Harry on May 24, 2007
...selling Berbatov after he has promised at least another season would be folly. And Bale centre-back! WTF are you talking about!? Why do you think we would be buying him? Perhaps to strengthen the left? Think before you post...
by lik on May 24, 2007
berbatov shouls and will not go to another club he is our poseesion nobody elses, COYS!!!
by spursaddict on May 24, 2007
Due to a long hospital stay, I have been out of touch with spurs news & gossip for a long long time. Can anyone tell me if the rumours of bringing Gudjohnsson, Van der Vaart, Pederson etc are true?
by michael on May 24, 2007
Jenas doesnt score enough, we need a midfielder that scores in 2 digits every season, all the big teams have 1, ronaldo, lampard, gerrard, arsenal lost pires and dropped out of title contention ! we need someone like nolan who's not too expensive