The Berbatov Hypothetical
Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 2:02PM Would you?
Some would say it's a little bit like taking back an ex-girlfriend who was cheating on you for a year before she finally walked out. Having completely fallen out of love with her, you let her walk.
The first reflex surrounding this suggested transfer (based on the fact that even though Berbatov has scored plenty of goals this season, he's benched more often than not for key games and went AWOL before yesterday's CL final) concerns the fact that Manchester United might want a little something in return. Guess it depends if they come knocking on our door, offering the Bulgarian as part of a player + cash deal for our little but big time Croatian.
Still on the hypothetical, I would hope Levy scans his private area and faxes it across to Ferguson with love and kisses. If we go knocking on their door (not implausible as seen by the Robbie Keane debacle) it will have to be a strictly 'no player swap' strategy.
There is hardly an argument concerning the players quality, say in comparison to what we need and who we've been linked with. He's better than anything we have. Can he play up front on his own with van der Vaart just behind him? Probably, quite easily. His working relationship with Keane is not too dissimilar in terms of vdV being a player who attacks the penalty area and looks to get on the end of it.
Teddy returned to us from Utd. But Dimi is no Teddy.
He sulked his way out of our club, striking his way to Old Trafford and igniting the beginning of the end for Martin Jol. Not sure too many of our players would be fussed to see him return, regardless of the alleged affect it all had on team morale at the time. All players by their self preservational nature are disloyal. Part and parcel of looking after ones own priorities.
Interestingly, there have always been whispers of this potential deal simply based on the fact he played for us in the past, we are searching for a striker and the relationship between player and manager has been one of an erratic and strained nature. All based on what we see on television and Utd's selection. No 'in the know' has suggested this, but probably will after yesterday so expect plenty of 'we're in talks' snippets to start appearing all over the place shortly.
So would you? Would it still taste as good?
Reader Comments (39)
I would but he'd have to walk onto the middle of WHL, confess his stupidity for leaving in the past place and lift up his shirt to show a THFC tattoo.
Knowing Berbatov, his chest is probably covered in tattoos of squirrels.
i would love to have him back
despite the manner in which he left he is the best striker ive seen grace the lane (im 19) and to have him alongside vdv with modders just behind would be a pleasure to watch
he has the guile, the intelligence and the ability to turn us into a championship challenging team
Think of every striker we've been linked with...
Berba is better, joint top goal scorer this season, i don't care for people who say he got 5 in one game, goals are goals, and he got hardly any playing time towards the back end of the season
Like it or not, he is perfect for us right now
If his head was in the right place, in a heartbeat. If we can learn to live with Gallas and respect his qualities, then Berbatov could regain a place at the Lane.
If his head isn't in the right place, not with a bargepole.
Interesting that Keane could (in theory) be back, re-partnering the two of them would be a gamble, but it was the last most successful partnership Spurs saw.
Either way, if the price is Modric, no deal.
There are two key differences with before. 1) He won't be thinking about going to United. 2) Spurs are a far better team.
Having said that, United have completely misused Berba, insisting on making this artist do manual work for a living, and judging him accordingly. So he may feel that another club may come calling for him again. In which case, he could go on strike again.
He wouldn't be the best player at the club, at least not by the distance of before. But there is another issue, which is that would he WANT to come back. If I were him, it would make me sick to have my dreams collapse and to return to the club I scorned, with my tail between my legs.
Alternately, maybe he'd come back, we'd all get over it pretty quick and he'd be fantastic.
I TOOK AN EX BACK ONCE..after a night out with her and her mates, spiked her drink and as she slept, shagged the life out of her dirty mate who encouraged the whole sordid affair...I say get him back right now...lol
It was Ramos not Jol he helped get fired.
Don't want him back, and he'd see it as a failure so I can't see him exactly being highly motivated.
We need a player who is willing to give 100% every game for 90 minutes, a Tevez type player, full of energy, who can defend from the front as well as score goals. Also, It hardly ever works out when a player like him comes back. Come on 'arry me gold china.....do ya wheely dealy thing and get us Messi ;_)
Ideally, a robust Drogba type of player would do the trick.
Any one know of any?
It was on The Spurs Show podcast about a month ago that Berbatov was on his way back to Tottenham. I'm not sure he's still the same player as when he left to go to United though. When he played for us he was trying to get his dream move, so was focused and motivated. I'd question those motivations now, but if he wants to just play his football like everyone knows he can and enjoy the game again, then it might be the right move for both Berba and Spurs.
I'd have him back because he is still top quality.
The problem with Keano was that he was rubbish at Liverpool, so taking him back thinking he'd be the same player was just silly. Don't buy players that are off-form - I'm sure Chelsea have learned that lesson with Torres.
Berba is still scoring goals, and still playing well. His problem at Utd is that he didn't fit into their system and has always had to play second-fiddle to Rooney, even when Rooney hasn't been playing well.
Bring him back to the Lane and watch him hit it off with VDV. All will be forgiven when we're able to give the finger to Utd again for taking their money.
Berbatov could have an inspired rebirth of his career at WHL. But no way should levy swap one superstar - Modric - for another, even if cash is involved. Better to spend the money on a bigger contract for the Croatian who is more of a hero at WHL than Berbatov could ever be.
My head says yes, my heart no. He would thread things up more up front, more than Rafa but I still remember watching him in Old Trafford on Sky Sports News before we had even accepted a bid.
A couple of points:
Berbatov is proven quality whereas non EPL strikers are a risk. Whilst we salivate over Falcao, Gameiro, Osvaldo etc, take a second to remember the amount of money spent on Rebrov, Postiga and to some extent Superpav.
Do we know what went on before Berbatov's 'strike?' - Had he been told he could move to Manu if we didnt qualify for CL, then told we wouldnt let him go after all? Was he simply completely fed up with the Ramos regime whereas he might have been happy with a better manager? Ramos did get sacked pretty soon after) Was he head and shoulders above the rest of the team at that time and disappointed that we had sold he only other striker (Keane) capable of forming a partnership with him?
On the other hand: can we afford his fee or salary? And would he be happy/motivated? I have my doubts in both cases.
In a heartbeat. Watching him this year he was obviously pissed off
with the way he was used but he always gave 100%. Now he's got
the whole MU thing out of his system I think he'd shine. Don't lets
forget the class we witnessed for 2 years.
Bale had very few assists in the league this year because he would tear up the wing and lob a cross in... but with Defoe injured/out of form there was never a striker quick enough to get on the end of it. Don't see "languid" Berbatov fixing that. So not worth the big bucks he'd demand.
If Spurs find a speedy poacher to play with Bale and Lennon, the two wingers will have a blazing season. Missed a trick with Suarez.
NO!
Not because he left us but because of the way he strolled through his second season with us and it could have been so much more successful.
His attitude stinks and if he did that again, it would hit team morale and we'd be worse off than if he had not returned.
Just look ay the Member's DVDs of his first and his second seasons. The difference in the way he played is really evident..
I've done my ACL. Gutted. Bring me some joy, Tottenham, in the form of a good striker.
To quote myself, don't look back look forward.
Does Modric really earn less than Donkey JJ?
If so, Levy and company need to give it a rest. They are awful.
I suspect that SAF has had it in his mind for a while that the only way he would get his hands on Modric is by a partial trade for a top player, and not one of the lesser lights, and since Berbatov is getting up there he would fit the bill. So many articles have said that Modric is worth 30 million that I suspect that the figure has been planted by Man U in the media as a starting negotiating ploy.
Two things seem to make this potential 'deal' unlikley. First I do not think the club or supporters would want him back. Yes he is a great player, one of the best I have ever seen, but the way he left was obscene and that should really colour any further dealings with SAF. Second, Modric is worth far more than 30 million. So double that and we might listen to a overture from them.
Lets face it the pressure is really on Man U. The game with Barcelona showed just how very ordinary their midfield is and that is where the game was lost. Carrick gave a great impersonation of Nelson's column, with his lack of movement, Giggs was elsewhere for most of the game, Park was an artisan at best and Valencia should have been off for his lack of tackling skills. There are skilled midfielders around in the Premiership, both Arsenal and Chelsea have young hugely talented English prospects in Wilshire and McEachron but they won't sell to Utd in any circumstance and in my opinion Spurs should not sell Modric to them either.
Was that the most one sided Champions League final ever?
http://keelbyunited.co.uk/Blog/Enemy_of_football.htm
Agreed with many of the previous posts on several fronts:
- Berba is definitely class, scores tons of goals, and is proven quality in the Prem (unlike so many other names being flogged around out there, who we have to admit are risks).
- If we can accept Gallas' quality and cheer him on, then we would be able to cheer Berba on in the same way if/when he put his silky skills on display and banged in the goals again.
- Lots of question marks over how he would mentally handle such a challenge of returning to a pretty angry WHL
A few other points to think about:
- IF he chose to come back, instead of pursuing some new dream of playing for Milan etc, that decision alone would suggest a shockingly new humility and courage on his part that would bode well for his dedication to the cause.
- 'Arry wouldn't stand for any of Berba's petulance or perceived laziness. Over the course of the season, 'Arry would certainly rip into Berba a few times over a perceived (or accurate) lack of effort by claiming his Missus could have run faster to reach a cross or something similar. I have serious doubts about his ability to handle Redknapp's style, and he'd likely sulk as a result.
the man will only ever be a mystery. However, if this did happen, I would cheer him on and back him in the hopes that he manages to dispel the doubts and bring more glory nights back to the lane.
Two cents spent. =)
In common with most Spurs fans - I totally support his return, as long as it works out. Otherwise I was always against it.
We have a go at the players for being mercenaries, but we're worse! And I'm not having a go - it's me too!
People have short bloody memories that's for sure, no way on this earth would I like that so called professional to grace a lilly white shirt ever again, yes he is quality, but we would be as well taking a chance on 2 £10/12m players on a third of his wages who are hungry and want to play for our club rather than a lazzy ratboy bugger that thinks he is gods gift!
FUCK HIM!
Don't want Berbatov back because the man can sulk for Bulgaria. Personally I'm deeply suspicious of old purple noses motives over this. It seems like a thinly veiled attempt to embroil Levy in talks over Modric. If Levy decides to go ahead with this signing he should set himself and Manure some ground rules. Namely if the name "Modric" crops up in any negotiations, the phone should go down, and the fax machine switched off. He should also set Utd a deadline to agree a "cash only" deal. The longer this drags on the more likely Manure are to drag Levy into talks over Modric -or Bale for that matter.
Leandro Damiao anyone?
Firstly, Berbatov is a class above our current strike force. But how much would he truly help nearly four year after he left acrimoniously? The style at Spurs doesn't truly afford Berbatov the time on the ball he desires. He has great feet but doesn't like to do the grunt work and track back. It would be nice to see him again wearing the jersey again but I honestly don't think it will happen. Would he be able to keep up with Bale or Lennon, or even Ashley Young, with their intrepid and continual runs?
The larger question at hand is whether or not he'd want to come back to White Hart Lane, or go back to the Bundesliga, or onto La Liga or Serie A. He will have many options even at 30.
Spurs need a big man, and realistically only need to add to the strike force, but if they do nail down a big man then that will leave Crouch the odd man out. Maybe Sandro's former teammate at Inter, Damiao can do the job but even he'd need time to adjust. We shouldn't expect another Sandro and adapt quickly than expected. I do like the idea of Klose or even Van Nistelrooy as they are proven strikers at the top for club and country.
The nice thing now is, not too much need to be done to the Spurs side. Some quality additions and some purging - Keane, Bentley, Gio, Jenas, Bassong, O'Hara, Hutton - and they'll have another stellar season.
The bloke is 100% scum.
The problem is that Redknapp and the scouts have failed to source anyone remotely as gifted as him in 3 seasons, what are they doing?
Granted, we can't compete wage wise to bring in well known players, but we had to at least try to find and embed lesser known/expensive talent and hope it would pay off. City, The Chavs and the bin dippers all have new strikers already settled at their clubs eagerly awaiting next season.
Assuming we finally buy at least one striker (two or three are necessary), he'll have zero experience of playing competitively until the season starts, and may well take months to settle in, thus giving the other teams a head start. That's the only reason I'd consider the Vulgarian.
Our transfer activity, or lack of it, this season has been nothing short of a disgrace.
If Redknapp could, he'd have re-signed Campbell.
And you nailed it regarding the transfer activity. Especially if we wait until the last couple of weeks before the season kicks off.
Single out the player we want, and get on with it. Although, that might actually be happening as we type.
Premier League's leading scorer, a great player, and an absolute jackass. You don't think this fits the profile of a classic AC/Inter/Madrid/Bayern transfer target?
He'll want Champions League football, too, and I don't think that Fergie will sell him to any of the other English teams currently in it. Off to Europe, then, Berba.
Modric is signed on a long term contract, berbatov has 1yr left on his. There is no deal to be done there, wait 1 year and he's yours for nothing.
Good to see so many of the team being positive about staying, think it will take silly money to get them, so a young prolific forward is the main summer need.
Danny and Harry it's over to you.
Apologies if this is repetition but I'm drunk so can't be arsed to read all the comments but...
I'd happily see vdV go the other way, with Berbs coming back. Yeah he ripped our heart out but he was cracking and hardly falls into the Ghaly category...
Window opens in a couple of days.
/excited
cant see berbatov talikg a paycut and dropping from champions league football to play in the europa league.....i would have him back at spurs no problem.....but he dont want to come back....
One of the characteristics often overlooked by managers and scouts when evaluating transfer targets is the character of the player. Berbatove is a classic example. He has all the skills of a great player but his character is badly flawed and these flaws come to the surface when he perceives that things are not going his way.
Leopards don't change their spots so for me it's a big no thanks.
I'd definitely take him back, as long as it was just a straight purchase. Sure, he sulked away, but it's not exactly like he was a bright and chipper loyal soldier when he was bagging tons of goals for us. He's a mercenary, always has been, always will be. I'm OK with that.