Kjaer leaves Tottenham with a transfer dilemma

Date: 25th January 2010 at 8:37 am
Written by Matt C

Simon-kjaerHarry Redknapp has revealed that he is the latest manager interested in the talents of young Danish centre back Simon Kjaer. The 20-year old’s performances for Palermo has brought wide spread interest for the likes of Liverpool, Man United in England, whilst Real Madrid and AC Milan have also shown a liking. It appears that Redknapp is looking to Kjaer to add some strength to the defence, given the fitness woes of Ledley King and the uncertainty around Jonathan Woodgate’s and the length of time he will be out due his problem groin injury. But who is this Simon Kjaer and is he really what Tottenham need?

Kjaer started out with FC Midtjylland in 2007 but did not stay in Denmark for a prolonged period of time after his impressive debut season. He was named the Danish under-19 talent of the year and was the subject of interest from Liverpool whilst Real Madrid made a bid for the player at this time but was unsuccessful in their attempts to take the player to Spain. Looking to secure regular first team action Kjaer moved to Palermo in 2008 and has established himself as a key part of the Italian side’s defence despite his relatively young age.

Kjaer is a tremendous athlete, tall and strong. The Dane is well built, puts himself about in the tackle and one of his great attributes is he is commanding in the air where not much gets past him. Kjaer has a huge amount of maturity in one so young and possesses good positional sense that enables him to read the game well and while his distribution needs improving, it isn’t any worse than Sébastien Bassong’s at present. The only stumbling block maybe the €12m that Palermo are asking, but the decision for Harry Redknapp is how desperate Tottenham are in need of a centre half at present.

It is a dilemma of sorts for Tottenham and the question is do the North Londoners really need him? Dawson has been an absolute colossus in defence, assisted by the ever improving Bassong and while Woodgate’s chances of a return to first team action seems a little way off, King and Corluka are available, whilst Huddlestone has proven time after time that he can step in when need be. Kjaer is certainly worth the €12m that has been quoted and his potential is enormous, but given Harry has a limited budget at his disposal, isn’t there other areas of the squad that need improving first? Surely a new centre midfielder is a greater priority?

Written By Dean Bryson

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13 Comments

Comments pages: 1 2
  • Humdinga says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    We seriously need him!! Dawson is decent yes,but he’s just too bloody nice!! we need more bollocks,Dawson,Bassong,King,Corluka,yep theyre all good defenders,but is good good enough?go get this guy,flog Jenas,pull out all stops for muntari to slot in nicely next to Palacios,crouch back on bench,Pav and defoe up top,bye bye keane,theres a few more pennies!Lets toughen up and finish games off,we shouldnt fear anybody,not hope to beat the likes of Leeds in replay!

    Reply

    says: We seriously need him!! Dawson is decent yes,but he's just too bloody nice!! we need more bollocks,Dawson,Bassong,King,Corluka,yep theyre all good defenders,but is good good enough?go get this guy,flog Jenas,pull out all stops for muntari to slot in nicely next to Palacios,crouch back on bench,Pav and defoe up top,bye bye keane,theres a few more pennies!Lets toughen up and finish games off,we shouldnt fear anybody,not hope to beat the likes of Leeds in replay!
    Humdinga
  • Ricky says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Of course we need him, we have no cover for Dawson and Bassong. We have to be realistic and admit King’s career is over. He plays one in five games on average meaning he gets £300K per game! Madness what other club would waste money like that. The club has no idea when Woodgate is back. Then to play players out of position is just asking for trouble. If Hud played there (And I think he is far to slow to do so) who would partner Palacios in the centre of midfield? We have all seen JJ is not up to it for years now and offers hardly anything to the team. We need a defender, I hope this guy is the answer. If he costs to much we could do a lot worse then going to a strong team like Stoke and putting a bid in for one of there central defenders. Really hope we get one if we are to push on.

    Reply

    says: Of course we need him, we have no cover for Dawson and Bassong. We have to be realistic and admit King's career is over. He plays one in five games on average meaning he gets £300K per game! Madness what other club would waste money like that. The club has no idea when Woodgate is back. Then to play players out of position is just asking for trouble. If Hud played there (And I think he is far to slow to do so) who would partner Palacios in the centre of midfield? We have all seen JJ is not up to it for years now and offers hardly anything to the team. We need a defender, I hope this guy is the answer. If he costs to much we could do a lot worse then going to a strong team like Stoke and putting a bid in for one of there central defenders. Really hope we get one if we are to push on.
    Ricky
  • Cranny says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    Humdinga

    couldnt agree more! espically with your views on our stricker sitch

    Reply

    says: Humdinga couldnt agree more! espically with your views on our stricker sitch
    Cranny
  • Stoney says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Yup. I agree too. That’s a real humdinga.

    Reply

    says: Yup. I agree too. That's a real humdinga.
    Stoney
  • Steve says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Please stop waiting for King to make a comeback – its not going to happen, the situation is (and has for at least 2-3 seasons) ho;ding back the whole team/club.
    Replace him now and send him packing in May… Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and all he has done, but we need to replace him and fast if we are ever going to move forward.

    Reply

    says: Please stop waiting for King to make a comeback - its not going to happen, the situation is (and has for at least 2-3 seasons) ho;ding back the whole team/club. Replace him now and send him packing in May... Don't get me wrong, I love the guy and all he has done, but we need to replace him and fast if we are ever going to move forward.
    Steve
  • Indyfan says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    We need to improve our defense. Get him, and sell whoever.

    Reply

    says: We need to improve our defense. Get him, and sell whoever.
    Indyfan
  • tommo says:
    Date: January 25th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    King deserves his testomonial and also a new contract, he is world class, even if he can only manage 2 or 3 matches in a month.

    Reply

    says: King deserves his testomonial and also a new contract, he is world class, even if he can only manage 2 or 3 matches in a month.
    tommo
  • John says:
    Date: January 26th, 2010 at 4:24 am

    Harry is really an idiot and a born loser. He has personal grudges against certain players, especially those who were not signed by him. It is just mad that Crouch gets to play but not Pav. Harry thinks that he is the greatest manager and gives no answers to us the fans. HE must at least show us the fans and the players some respect. What has happened to Dos Santos?? Why isn’t Harry playing him now that Lennon is injured? What about Bentley? Our strikeforce should be Defoe, Bent and Pav. And we will strike fear into any team. We lost Bent (due to sandra being a better goal scorer). Now Bent is amongst the top strikers in the league. Soon, we will loss Pav. Then in future, HArry will leave (after earning so much of money as manager), and leave us with a much weaker squad. Why? All because of his attitude and personal grudges. HE thinks he is the best manager and only HE the great Haryy can find the correct players. All other managers before him are useless. And he goes on and signs the whole of portsmouth because he was the one who bought those players.

    Reply

    says: Harry is really an idiot and a born loser. He has personal grudges against certain players, especially those who were not signed by him. It is just mad that Crouch gets to play but not Pav. Harry thinks that he is the greatest manager and gives no answers to us the fans. HE must at least show us the fans and the players some respect. What has happened to Dos Santos?? Why isn't Harry playing him now that Lennon is injured? What about Bentley? Our strikeforce should be Defoe, Bent and Pav. And we will strike fear into any team. We lost Bent (due to sandra being a better goal scorer). Now Bent is amongst the top strikers in the league. Soon, we will loss Pav. Then in future, HArry will leave (after earning so much of money as manager), and leave us with a much weaker squad. Why? All because of his attitude and personal grudges. HE thinks he is the best manager and only HE the great Haryy can find the correct players. All other managers before him are useless. And he goes on and signs the whole of portsmouth because he was the one who bought those players.
    John
  • gar says:
    Date: January 26th, 2010 at 9:59 am

    iv said on many an occasion we need to sure up are defence! totally agree we need to give dos santos a game or 2! gifted player and i would also like to see what pav could do with a game or 2!

    Reply

    says: iv said on many an occasion we need to sure up are defence! totally agree we need to give dos santos a game or 2! gifted player and i would also like to see what pav could do with a game or 2!
    gar
  • Tottenhamtom says:
    Date: January 26th, 2010 at 11:32 am

    I think the club has to move forward and forget about King. He has been a fantastic servant for the club but of late he offers nothing save disruption. take the Liverpool game for example- he only completed 80 minutes looked slugglish and siturbed a centre back pairing that had kept 5 clean sheets. If i’m honest I dont know enough about this Danish Kid but we certainly need another centre back. Corluka is not good enough at centre back. Dawson and Bassong yes but they need competition!

    Reply

    says: I think the club has to move forward and forget about King. He has been a fantastic servant for the club but of late he offers nothing save disruption. take the Liverpool game for example- he only completed 80 minutes looked slugglish and siturbed a centre back pairing that had kept 5 clean sheets. If i'm honest I dont know enough about this Danish Kid but we certainly need another centre back. Corluka is not good enough at centre back. Dawson and Bassong yes but they need competition!
    Tottenhamtom
Comments pages: 1 2

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