Robert David Keane
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 1:00PM What's the 'deal' here? No possibility of a loan according to Harry, seems to suggest that he's staying and if Keane isn't happy (i.e. on the bench, not playing well) the club will review the situation but will only sell him to get some of the money back that was spunked when he made his limpish return from Anfield.
So, I'm going to hazard a guess that this is our way of telling everyone, forget about a loan - cough up the dosh if you want him and do it quickly. Celtic obviously can't quite afford to bid and would prefer to take the piss with another short-term agreement - which would see us lose a hefty slice off a potential transfer fee, with Keane notching up another year on his life and thus being worth even less next season. Not sure what our value for the player is exactly, but it's doubtful its even half of what we paid Liverpool for (although technically speaking Liverpool hadn't finished paying us for Robbie when we sold him to them). But money is money, and £8M (he's gotta be worth that at least, no?) can't be flushed away. £10M fee is probably what Levy has tagged him with.
In all the threads in all the forums, no conceptual line-up (for the new season) posted ever has the name of Robbie Keane in the Spurs starting line-up. You'll find the name of Forlan or some other mouth-watering prospective signing, but no Keane. In the heart and minds of ye olde Spurs faithful, he's absent. Gone. He's not even an option. dos Santos is more of an option. Even Adel gets a mention now and again. And let's not forget Gudjohnsen. Someone who would most definitely be involved if he returns full time to us.
Are we fickle beasts who find it easier to forget than to forgive?
Keane was only on loan for last season, so he was always going to return to WHL, but there was a feeling his move to Scotland was a means to an end. A shop window, a way out. A compromise everyone was content with. Robbie might have previously stated he's a Tottenham player (something to do perhaps with us finishing 4th, and CL within reach), but I can't help thinking this former great (check his stats for us if you disagree) is now a spent force in Lilywhite. Tainted by his misguided boyhood club 'mare under Rafa, which ended in tears and embarrassment.
Could he recapture his best form if we showed some faith in him? Scoring goals for Celtic is no way of knowing for sure. And would he be happy to be involved in squad rotation? Cast your minds back, he wasn't last time he had to sit on the bench - but times, they have changed. Maybe Keane has had an awakening. He could also just be going through the motions.
I wouldn't mind being wrong on this one. But can't ignore the ever so subtle hints Spurs want rid. If he was part of our plans, Harry would come out and say it, unequivocally. Which he doesn't do.
Reader Comments (51)
1st
Keane is at his best when he is playing all the time...especially early season when he always looks a bit heavy and leggy.
We cannot guarantee him consectutive starts so we shall never see the best of him, whatever that is now.
Robert...thankyou, it was great, now its just over. Good Bye!
we didnt realise that we sold him to liverpool at exactly the right time. he has been poor ever since. can see him at Bohemians before long (another one on the long list of boyhood clubs). He'll at least keep Neale Fenn company there!
Intermilan are after him as a possible bench warmer and life and soul in the dressing room.
'can't ignore the ever so subtle hints Spurs want rid'
Don't think there's any thing subtle here, i'm sure Robbie's sale is already included in the balance sheet and one Uraguayan striker seems to have had a change of mind.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/40498/I_am_very_happy_in_Madridbut_you_never_know.aspx
This guy was great a couple of years back, but so much has happened since his prolific partnership with Berba,he simply has to go and end his playing days somewhere else.
But a huge thank you for all the joy you gave us. COYS !!
He has to go now. Take the £8m, sell another couple of fringe players and get that all important world class striker we all know we need.
I suspect that Harry will be happy to see him go for a sensible fee or as a makeweight in a deal for a player he really wants - Young, Carlton Cole, Parker, Pienaar or someone I havent thought of.
I thought we only bought him back for £12 or 13 million and he did help us secure prem status when it was looking iffy, so if we get something near £10 million for him now that wouldnt be too bad.
I am sure Harry rates him as a player but the main problem is that he (and Pav for that matter) probably wont settle for being a bench player, which gives Harry problems, unlike Eidur who seems really suited to that role.
I think that if we dont get a good offer there is no harm in keeping him for the first half of the season and seeing how things go. If we dont sign the superstriker we all crave, he can still do a decent job and would be very handy if Defoe, Pav or someone was injured. I also think that he is a known mand (if mentally right) reliable, quality player so I wouldnt be in a hurry just to get shot of him without a better replacement - for example, is Baptista who has hardly played for Roma all last season, a better bet than keeping Keane?
Will be gone before the season starts.
Wrong side of 30 now isn't he? Thanks Robbie but it's time for both of us to move on.
Would still have him in the team before Defoe or Crouch any day of the week. In fact, he would be first choice for me out of our current strikers with Gudd and Pav close seconds.
I think you're right, its now or never for Keane as a player although the 'events' organiser position is still vacant.
I could play the bench role, slept on some pretty varied benches in my time, abroad too, so I have international bench experience.
Laters Rob. Thanks for the memories. I think Leyton Orient is looking for a striker......
We need a top top drawer striker. No room for Keane in amongst Defoe and Crouch - two players Harry will not be parting with. Then there's Pav. Keane is a no brainer, we got into 4th without him so we work well without his pointy shoutyness.
Changed my mind. I'd keep him. Stronger we are the better.
he'll be plying his trade away from N17 by September 01st. Sunderland or Villa I would've thought.
Robbie did a fantastic job for us, he made a mistake of gong to liverpoll for champions league football, if he would have just stated that, I think we all wouldve agreed he'd have a better chance of playing year in year out at Liverpool in the CL than we would.
If Celtic really want him then ffs cash in on McGeady, job done, they will then have the money, we can't afford all the players we want and have to duck and dive in the transfere market so why shouldnt they?
Quite simple really, no point mouthing off in the press that they would love him up in Glasgow when they have the option of selling a player or two to complete the deal.
Forlan will come. For Levy has built it.
Leonardo. Wrong side of 30 is not the issue. It's his loss of pace and energy that are. You could put it down to age, but compare the lad to that Forlan chap and you'll see the difference.
I didnt merntion the 30 bit Trembly, it was another poster. He never had that much pace anyway! Its difficult to know whether he would come back more confident, with renewed energy and a positive frame of mind or whether he really is over the hill. Things would be different in that he wouldnt have a guaranteed starting place and there would possibly be another captain (Daws?) Time will tell, but I'm trying to keep an open mind about Keane for now. Having said this, it wouldnt surprise me if he went to Villa, Everton, Brum, Spam, Sunderland or whoever - I suspect he would be a guaranteed starter in most of those teams and it wouldnt surprise me if he did well somewhere.
He may not be the absolute world class striker we all crave, but to say he's lost it is just ignorent. He was quality before his pairing with Berba as well as having a great duo with him. People saying we got 4th without him so dont need him, i think you'll find he started quite a few matches at the beginning of the year and were in 4th place then too.
we got into 4th without him so we work well without his pointy shoutyness. nuff said
Goodbye Robbie
I love the way harry is telling everyone about other clubs transfer business. Anyone else read his comments about city going for Torres? The fact that harry knows must mean that he has enquired. To strengthen that fact he says that he hasn't gone in for him himself because there are others (City and Chelsea) who will blow us out of the water in terms of transfer fee. I know he said he was after a "torres" type player at the end of the season but I never expected him to enquire about him. He must have expected to spend around £30m for him when enquiring so that looks positive with respect to other targets we might go for if we are allowing harry that sort of budget. It also means that the only stumbling block with Cole will be the wage cap. But I think we probably give him a large signing on fee to compensate that.
All of this doesn't look good for robbie and jj. Looks great for us though!
Harry is the king of whorage and deflection. Genius stuff IMO.
Sorry Leonardo. A case of mistaken identity there. I make you right about Bob doing well at another place, and more than share your skepticism about the so called beast at Roma - that move (poo-pooed straight away by Arry on talksport yet still nudged around by the bloggers).
The problem I see is that although we're moving in the right direction, we're still having to play the transfer game with those who have more money or prestige to throw about. It would be no good to start the bidding early only to get snubbed or out-gunned (euchhh) by those with more money than sense (Citteh) or are considered ready to win a title.
We're now probably less of a ridiculous bet for the title, but no bookmaker is going to put us up there with Chelski, Manure, the Scum or Citteh...yet.
I'd like to think that banging a load of goals in for Celtic was just the thing Robbie needed for a return to form, I guess only he and the boss will know for sure as I suspect his time is up.
It's a shame, I choose to remember him at his best and have never really been one to hold grudges, they do little in life save upset the digestion. Unfortunately I just dont see a place for him, yes, getting an inform Robbie Keane back is like a new signing, however if you were to say we need a new striker (and i think everyone will) I personally owuld have said that first and foremost we need a striker that can put 3 out of 4 chances away even if thats all he does. Defoe did it for half a season, the other half we were pinching goals here and there. For the first time in years we have a keeper where when i hear 'still has the keeper to beat' I can think theres still a good chance of not conceding, now i need a striker that when i hear 'still got the keeper to beat' I can assume its a forgone conclusion.
Secondly, I still feel we need a striker that can play alone upfront, i do think Harry is going to go with 451 in europe and possibly away from home, even if thats the only time he plays we need someone who isnt just going to run off on his own or turn around in circles until 5 are ahead of him, its a mental quality rather than a physical one. If the two types mentioned could be rolled into one player, then magic, sadly i dont think robbie is that player
Please do not kill me everyone, but anyone like to see Adebeyyourmumsawhore up front with Defoe? As I say, just a question? I think he & Citeh do not have a future together.
i would be nervous if Arry started to rekindle his love affair with santa Cruz also. I just feel these guys will not be at citeh much longer
We need a striker not a hatstand.
I dream of the possibility that Robbie could return to the player we all once knew. But it's just a dream, innit???
Why do we seem to be righting players of every year we have a player who has gone finished a broken man only to finish up a hero for us or against us .This has got to stop or we will face a tough season playing Teams fired up with ex players like last year. Last year it was Bale Huddlestone Lennon Jenas Bent Ohara Dosantos Hutton . Keane . three survived Lennon Hudds Bale they had great seasons except poor Lennon when he got injured. Keane is still only 29 Forlan is 31 would he sit on our bench no would any player like being benched no so all we will be doing is changing names because Keane has a far better scoring record in the prem than most and he has also scored in champions league . We have a squad any club would be proud of and this year you have to nae 25 and so many have to be home grown . I love it when we have home grown talent and i was so proud when the magnificent six made the top thirty but the Italian idiot could only pick one because Terry wanted is own men and Gerrard Where having a power scrap. We need to take stock or we will let another Bale slip through the net look who we have back DOSANTOS HUTTON TAARABT KEANE NAUGHTON OHARA. THE SQUAD GOMES CORLUKA WOODGATE KING DAWSON KABOUL BASSONG EKOTOO BALE LENNON HUDDLESTONE MODRIC KRANJCAR BENTLEY JENAS SANDRO CROUCH PALYUCHENKO DEFOE KEANE. Bench warmers and Young Hopefuls. OHARA TAARABT NAUGHTON WALKER HUTTON DERVITE DOSANTOS BOSTOCK TOWNSEND PARRETT CAULKER KANE FREDERICKS MPOKU LIVERMORE. OBIKA . We should wait and see who comes through from this lot in preseason before we waste money and make our Rivals better by selling good players who could do more harm to our season . we should only buy a player if we can say he will put one of these on the bench i can see only three who are available OZIL SUARES JOE COLE That would put some one on the bench and that would be a close run thing the prem is a grave yard for so called grat players and tough to master so we should be cafull when we ask for certain players Just look what south Africa altitude and the crap ball did for Rooney world chump with the worst states. I will be Happy if we kick of with what we have it was good enough to beat City Chelsea Arsenal even with a not fit Lennon . COYS
davspurs - Well said mate... you're looking at a £30m player to improve on any we have for our starting 11. Even to improve on Keane.. most our fans are unfortunately fickle.
I am one of the only Keane and Jenas fans that are left on the spurs planet but even i agree both of them need to go , try to convince Forlan because what he did with Uruguay is impressive. Always on his own , great first touch , speed , power , great shooting , experience , mental strenght and two equal feet ... pay up Daniel.
Keane , all the best , i hear the money is great in Russia mate
Forlan would be excellent...
And no he didnt flop at Utd, he fell out with Fergie over what studs to wear for a match, slipped, missed a chance and that was that... Fergie didnt play him again.
Keep him. It's all about the squad and his presence might keep JD on his toes. Not just that, but well placed to lead a younger side in the lesser cup competitions should we progress in the CL.
He wants to sell him rather than loan him out for the rest of his contract, simple as.
No room for Keane in amongst Defoe and Crouch - two players Harry will not be parting with.
Ugh.
We need another striker.
i don't think there's much of a gulf in class between robbie and joe cole and both can play either behind the striker or the wide support striker role in a 451/433. so if we get cole, bye bye robert. if not then keep him. i agree that selling him to a mid-table club or a villa or everton only gives them more possibility of beating us.
confirmed robbie is on his way. all robbie prints and canvas's are on sale in the club shop on the official website. levy's getting rid, cut price too. lol.
Once a great servant but was disloyal, only those who are indispensible are forgiven for disloyalty. He's not indispensible.
Cavani scored that peach of a goal against Germany maybe 'Arry's looking in that direction still.....Forlan would cost at least 35 million and have a massive pay requirements to leave AM.
Has anyone thought about how many extra games we might have next season if we progress in the Champions League? I think we will need all the players we can get, so I won't be in a hurry to get rid of Robbie Keane unless Harry finds us the top notch strikers we need to consolidate our current position.
Last season the Hull game aside he was poor. I am not in any position to judge scottish football but whatever the standard it is different from the premiership and that is no indication of form. I cannot see him getting games and we should take 8 million if on offer, we would be better getting someone hungry in or heaven forbid allow Obika a game or two. Life has moved on and we thank him for the memories, Harry needs to be ruthless and make decisions now with the forward line and our centre-backs.
Keane and Jenas MUST go.
Thing is we cannot sell players until
a) we receive a bid
b) spurs think the bid is enough
c) the player and clubs agree terms
The hold up for sales of Keane and Jenas and Pav could be any of those but my guess is that we aint got the big bids in yet.
Thanks for the memories Rab, but you should never have gone (I blame you) or never come back (I blame us)
Unfortunately as mentioned before if he does go, he'll sure as hell score against us in other colours.
But as long as he misses 2 pens in the same game it's all good.
Shame really, remember the good times tho.
P.s - No tribute for Gazza turning up with 'A beer, some chicken, a dressing gown and a fishing rod' for 'Moaty'?????
Surprising!
Decided to best avoid it, mainly because the media go a tad too loopy with coverage to stuff like this, almost like its tv drama. They shouldn't be giving nutters like Moat any coverage at all.
As for Gazza, he needs sectioning.
Davspur/Matt and others.
Its not being fickle to hold the opinion that Keane's days at WHL are over. When did he last put in a top performance. Last season we started well but he didn't, missing sitters vs LFC on day 1 was a sign of things to come. A decent goal in the trouncing of Hull, and 4 was it vs Burnley, but then he scored just one more in the league. He has never been the same player as the one pre-liverpool defection.
There is no room for sentiment in football. Yes he has served us well but he has contributed little in the last 18 months. Loyalty is a 2-way street. He showed none when spurning us for LFC, months after signing a new 5 year deal. We should not hang on incase he delivers the goods. Spurs moved on in his absence. Despite him being brought back to WHL and made captain, as a leader and experienced player, we have been at at best both in terms of getting results and in showing resolve and desire when he was in Scotland.
At £70k a week, he is a waste of resources on the bench and he is so much better if he plays week in and week out. He needs to move on, it will do him good. Spurs already have moved on.
Cannot believe he has not yet been linked in a part-exchange deal for Suarez at Ajax......
devonshirespurs, I don't disagree with your opinion that it would be best for both parties if he left. However you can't say there's no room for sentiment in football and then complain that he showed no loyalty in leaving for liverpool. Personally I think there is room for sentiment in football as those players that truly care for their clubs have this sentiment reciprocated by the fans and often grow as a result (dawson for example) However you are right that it is a two-way street. So the fact he left when it suited him means we shouldn't feel bad for booting him out now it suits us.
I've previously said we should keep him if Joe Cole doesn't come. But now I'm starting to think that maybe Dos Santos could play robbie's position just as well if not better. As long as he comes good with his promise to get his head down and fight for his place this season