Definitely need some experience in the team, but at 33 has he got the hunger?

In my morning after the night before haze, I've just realised it's the Brut that's 33. Most read the posts properly. He's 30, lets get him.

*Must. Oh fuck it, back to bed.

Just been looking on Wikipedia, he's 31 in September. Wasn't in the Spanish Euro squad (not regarded highly enough?) played 11 times (injured?)in La Liga last season, earning 4 bookings and 3 internationals. Don't know sod all about him really to pass comment. Gut feeling says we need to build for future, so someone 5 years younger maybe ???

coys

I'm all for getting him, tho i do wonder whether ramos really does want him as i thought that ideally he wanted most of the squad together quite early on. If that was the case wouldn't there be at least a few whispers of a deal still hovering now?

"I asked him about his contractual situation because if he was leaving for free then I would be interested.”

I think that tells you all you need to know about our interest in this player.

I'm not being critical but why is this being posted today - have I missed something or are you are aware of some new developments??

Albelda didn't play many games last seaon because he wa internally suspended by his club president, along with 2 other players, as the then manager, Ronald Koeman,took a dislike to them and decided they would never play for Valencia again. Ended up in a court case. Koeman since sacked. Albelda highly regarded by Valencia fans.

Further to last,a deal has not been possible because Valencia would not release any of the 3 while Koeman was in charge. He wanted them to rot. Since his departure one of the 3, Canizares,has been released.

glenwasgod: Fair question. I'll answer with a question. Who is our current DM?

The following is from a end of season newspaper article. As you may guess I am all for Albelda joining Spurs.
"But from what I understand, David Albelda could be useful. I recently heard Sid Lowe of the Guardian Football Weekly podcast describe Albelda as “the player [Spain are] lacking, which is basically a horrible, nasty, evil bastard in the middle of the midfield"

Maybe someone to teach Huddlestone (who I'm delighted to see has a new deal) how to put a bit of bite in his play. In which case 31 not a problem, 2 years of Aldelda then Huddlestone to take over the mantel.

Depends on price I guess, at this age the player will have no sell on value and I'd of thought he'll want top dollar wages.

Valencia are believed to want 3m Euros. The following is a recent article (June 2008). He was club captain with 50 international caps.

"With Los Che reported to be in financial difficulties due to their early exit from the Champions League last season, combined with the costs of building a new stadium and the compensation paid to former coach Ronald Koeman, the Spanish club are unlikely to consider letting the player go for nothing despite the fact he did not feature much last season.

Albelda admitted today that Valencia were yet to receive any bid for him, but added he would be more than willing to listen to offers if and when they come.

"It's my obligation to listen to offers because Valencia are after money for me," he told Valencian newspaper Las Provincias.


"What's for sure is it being difficult for them to reach an agreement. Until now all there has been is interest but nothing concrete.

"Right now I'm on holiday and I don't want to know about any of this.

"I'm a Valencia player, I have a contract with them and I'll only get involved when it's time to sign something, if in the end there's an agreement."

Albelda is looking to move away after being dropped from the Valencia first team by Koeman last season, after which he sat out most of the team's disappointing campaign.

The club's new coaching staff have said they want Albelda to stay, but the midfielder insists it is too late to repair the damage.

"Valencia should have considered me an important player in December, not now," he continued.

"That's what I would have liked, that they had thought about this the day they took the decision to kick me out of the first team and throw the club's values to the floor.

"Honestly I don't feel nor can I feel important to them (the club directors)."

Harry, sorry to monopolise the forum this morning, but you did ask so I've attempted to provide as much info as possible. The following is about a weel old. Love the site by the way.

"Valencia have confirmed that David Albelda is heading for the exit door at the Mestella stadium after the club's director Juan Sanchez confirmed discussions were ongoing.

It is believed that Real Betis and Bolton could be two sides in for the Spain international.

"He has a contract and therefore we are working on a transfer for him and if that does not work out then we will look for something else that will benefit everyone," Sánchez explained.

"We expect to reach one soon and that everyone will end up happy with the deal."

HH

Not sure if we can stem away from the ALbeda topic BUT Poyet has at least said something about Keano's situation.....not 100% convinced that Rk hasnt made waves about leaving but at least its something (if Sky can be believed)

Off topic but interesting:

LINK

"If we lost Robbie it would be too much."
Gus is clearly an emotional man. Glad to see the club letting Bobby K know how much they want him to stay. And Berb too.
Oh, and good work there welshspur2307.

Welshspur is spot on.

Been reading on this site for a few weeks now.... Im impressed HH,keep up the good work. This will be my 1st post of many, I hope. COYS

But Im sure by the start of the season JR will have the DM position sorted... and LM and CB cover and areplacement for Bent.

Im not ITK its just "In Ramos I Trust" after the trophy he pulled off. No matee how much we all loved Jol, we dont really believe he would have won it for us after the mistakes the season before.

He's bought quality all round the pitch, a man like Ramos doesnt overlook the DM.
If anything Hudd will be back up to whoever he brings in.

Like you say H he smells like someone we could do with and he's 4 years younger than Makalele. We could do with an older head in the middle of the park.

Oh and here's his Ginola impression

LINK

Regarding policing the site, if you want this blog to retain it's atmosphere, general bon homie and humour you have no choice, Harry.

Well done

On Albelda, would he have to wrestle the No 6 shirt from Tainio? Could be interesting. Separately, I wonder how many Spurs players Jol wants to sign for Hamburg? Could show exactly who he brought in in the 1st place!

coys

ODM - I've a cofession to make, it's not about the site. It's seeing an opportunity to dress up as a WPC and seizing it.

kwakspur, the way things are going, it might be that Bent is the only striker at the club next season.

Albelda would be a similar signing to Davids. The first half of his first season gave us the drive to move up the table. If Albedla were to sign even for just one season, it could be the difference between making the CL or not. Buy a younger DM the next year.

I've always thought you'd look good in a girls uniform especially with your legs.

Maybe a pre-requisite of posting should be cross dressing. I'm partial to a bit of Chiffon myself.

i like the sound of this... there's something about the way you've described him there Harry.. 'blessed with brains'...

if this happens what will happen to poor old Jermaine?? reserves?

goons were after him 3 yrs ago but it fell thru at last minute. the guy is solid. not dissimilar mould of player to roy keane.

we need someone like this. veloso may be good but he's another youngster, i feel we need a good DM of experience.

Xavi Alonso from liverpool wouldnt be bad either. diarra from pompey. real madrid have a plethora of good Dm, maybe look there...

still, with Big tom getting a new contract maybe juande sees the hudd being the one..

Breaking News-

"Tottenham have banned players from giving autographs to fans at the entrance to their training ground because of safety fears."

Now they can't trust Jenas with a pen, let alone a football.

I must agree that Albelda would be an excellent pick up. I would have said all welshspur2307 said regarding his situation and lack of football last year. Valencia was a club in a real mess last year, despite winning the Copa del Rey. He would cerrtainly inject some bite into the squad. Awaiting further developments. And that clip was incredible. Lee bad. Welcome welshspur2307, nice to see some intelligent comments.

JJ aint consistent enough to be in the 1st team, and you could be right TMWNN.
But Im praying they stay.
Pool dont have the money for Keane, and Man.U wont pay what we'll charge them.
I here we've agreed a deal for 1 year with Berba then let him go cheaper next season, but i have a feeling that Barca or Real will take him for a decent amount this season, then we can get a serious goalscorer. Im not saying I'd be upset if he stayed, but we all know he can get moody and we dont need it trying to get in the Top 4.

Would definitely be happy to see him here next season, lets just hope it's true! Could do a Davids! (I know that I probably won't be agreed with, but I personally think he was awesome for us, especially his first season)

Sorry for going off subject, but with regards to a LM, do you reckon Ramos may have Bale in mind for it? He did a pretty good job there last year, and i'm sure I remember somebody being quoted when he signed, that was where they planned to use him.

Gilberto LB and Bale LM... what do you reckon?

excellent editing there Harry.. 9/10

It's nothing personal, but there's near random stuff being posted up that belongs in a forum. This isn't a forum.

An alternative younger version would be Borja Oubina, already linked with Spurs earlier in the summer. Linked with Ars**** earlier in his career but had a dreadful time at Brum last year when injured in his first game. May be worth a gamble. These are some quotes from a Spanish site,
"I think the most important player on the pitch is your holding defender that plays in front of your defensive line, so for me it has to be Borja Oubiña. He's the second best at what he does in La Liga and he reminds me of a certain defending midfielder who used to play around these parts a few years ago (I'm referring to Claude Makelele).

Oubina has been consistently excellent all season. He is great prospect for Celta and Spain. The only time I have seen him seem a little troubled was the recent game against Barcelona. It amazes me how he can dominate the midfield at such a young age.

When Celta don't have posession he sits comfortablly in front of the back four. He is intelligent as when Celta are commiting players forward he will decide to stay back in case of a counter. I think Celta's success has largely come to just how good their central midfield pairing have been."