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Picture of Fanos Kyriacou

BERBATOV – A FINAL VIEW

Posted by: Fanos Kyriacou, Fri 1st Aug 2008
Tagged: Tottenham

Football FanCast columnist Fanos Kyriacou takes a last look at the Berbatov debate, with Keane gone and sigings flooding in what should we do with the talented Bulgarian?

There have been many articles written and views expressed about the future of Dimitar Berbatov, is he staying, is he going? Should we try to keep him or should we cash in now? There are good arguments for both and each argument certainly has its merits but like most Spurs fans I have had enough and want the whole saga to end so here are my final comments on the matter and I have promised myself not to mention it again after this.

Of course we all know that Berbatov is a fantastically talented player and currently one of the best strikers in world football and to lose him would be a real blow. Those who are in the ‘we should keep him at any cost camp' point to the fact that he is irreplaceable and however many millions we sell him for we could not get a player of his calibre in. It is true to say that Berbatov has been integral to the way the team play over the last two seasons. Not only does he score goals but he creates just as many and it is certainly no coincidence that the departed Robbie Keane has been in the best form of his career in the two seasons that he has been playing alongside the Bulgarian, Could he do the same for Dos Santos or Bent?

It is also true that taking the money isn't the be all and end all and doesn't necessarily mean that a suitable replacement can be found. We all remember the sale of Michael Carrick to Manchester United and how that seriously set us back, although we had little choice but to take the money on that occasion.

There are those who believe that we should cash in on Berbatov now because they don't like the fact that he sulks around the pitch looking like he couldn't give a damn and they have had enough of him. They point to the fact that if we can collect £25-30 million for him that it would be fantastic business for the club and we can buy a very good alternative. They also argue that selling Berbatov would benefit the way the team performs as we wouldn't be so reliant on him.

Both sides have very valid points but my argument has nothing to do with money or the success of the team, or even his attitude on the pitch. Quite simply the reason why I hope the club do everything in their power to keep him is that I love watching the guy play football. I was lucky enough to watch Hoddle, Waddle, Gazza and Ginola play for Spurs and Berbatov falls into that group of players. They all have one thing in common and that is the ability to leave football supporters open mouthed and awestruck with the things they are able to do on the football pitch.

That is why I love football, winning trophies is wonderful but as Chelsea fans have found out, winning isn't the be all and end all. What is the point in winning trophies when the fans that are watching you aren't enjoying it? First and foremost I want to be entertained when I go to a football game and players like Berbatov are the guys who provide this entertainment. He can do things with a football that I couldn't even dream of doing. That is why I would be gutted if we sold Dimitar because it would deprive me of being able to watch him play football at White Hart Lane.

Poll:

  • Average: 3 (3 votes)
Niall
Picture of Niall
Posts: 121
Joined: 2007-08-01
I'd love to keep him but i
I'd love to keep him but i think he is a goner! Shame as i would have loved to see him play with Bentley and Dos Santos. "It's more important than that....!"
--
Niall "It's more important than that....!"


IamJoe
Picture of IamJoe
You Spurs have a mammoth
You Spurs have a mammoth task at your hands if you want to challenge for Champions League qualification spots. You can't afford to have a player there, who is not committed to the task. He only scored 4 'til Christmas last year and has had some part in your abysmal first half of the season. You can't have this happen again and are better advised to let him get his wish.

tonym
Picture of tonym
i've watched spurs since
i've watched spurs since Greavsie and Gilzean lol. this is absolutely best thing i1ve read on the whole saga. i really believe Levy has been fantastic for us, ramos is simply the best and new king of the managers, commolli i don't know about but we've continued to progress since he arrived so? the last 2 paragraphs say it all. was at wembley when man in brown coat won carling cup. would rather have been there for hod v blackburn. its football. its about style, flair, entertainment and doing it the spurs way. the glory days are on their way back coys

irish spurs
Picture of irish spurs
IamJoe-r u Sir Alex by any
IamJoe-r u Sir Alex by any chance?

Stu
Picture of Stu
I love watching the fella
I love watching the fella too..... Could you not add our favourite German to your list of legends? I understand not adding the Ginger Pele or that Russian fella.....

Ozspurs
Picture of Ozspurs
Yes spurs have a mamouth
Yes spurs have a mamouth task, but i'm gobsmacked at how stupid the hierachy at tottenham are. Berbs still has a couple of years left on his contract and all i see and read is "we should sell him" With all due respect to Levy and the clueless clan, you don't have to sell anybody if you don't want to, and if players sign up for three and four years, they should understand thats your term of employment. Unfortunately the parasites that are "agents" are and have killed the game for their own profit, and spurs are suckers for agents. I'd hate to think how many players have rotated thru the doors at WHL in recent years, we seem to sign evryone from "Skippy" to whoever, and yet there is still no stability. Personally i have been a spours supporter for 30+ years, and frankly i'm tired of the amatuerish approach the club has towards players and the future of the club. If i where king of tottenham, it would be simple - "Berbatov you are going nowhere, and if you don't like it mate, sit in the stands!"

chivers
Picture of chivers
Has anybody ever heard
Has anybody ever heard Berbertov say anything about wishing to leave? He's staying, it's all [*@!$], he just has a naturally sulky look about him, and the wonderful english press have jumped on it.

simon
Picture of simon
berbs is a smashing
berbs is a smashing player...but me is finking about the new players we bought....me thinks we might just ave a good "TEAM"........

yh30264
Picture of yh30264
I'm an Arsenal supporter,
I'm an Arsenal supporter, but I completely agree with your comments. Berbatov has exquisite control, and is a genuine world-class forward, who fell into Spurs's lap. We would love to have a finisher of his class. Last season, Spurs matches were by far the most entertaining, (partly due to your dodgy goalkeeper and defence). The finishing, on the night of the 2nd leg of the Carling Cup was exceptional, though are extremely weak central defense certainly contributed. It is amazing that you had 4 extremely good strikers, and you might be left with Bent!! (Arshavin looks good, but I don't think the other Russian striker, will be good enough in the Premier League I hope he stays, but more importantly, if he goes, it's not to Manchester Utd. regards, Glenn

beano
Picture of beano
...If i where king of
...If i where king of tottenham, it would be simple - "Berbatov you are going nowhere, and if you don't like it mate, sit in the stands!" ... Yeah, cos Berba sitting in the stands would be far more useful than Ramos having 25mil to spend on players that he actually wants... Whatever.