VIDEO - Nabil Bentaleb an inspiration
The international break is a chance for 19 year-old Nabil Bentaleb to continue his senior football education and inspire Tottenham's next young generation.
He has looked at home in Spurs midfield playing either as a defensive midfield or given licence to play further forward when Etienne Capoue was selected. Bentaleb has shown can play the short simple passes which while unglamourous are a vital part of moving the opposition around, he has twists and turns away from opponents in his locker too.
He has demonstrated from his first game in December against Southampton that he is comfortable on the ball and put in a Man of the Match display against Newcastle, at least in this viewers eye.
The youngster curled a lovely ball from the left wing after beating Sissoko which Tim Krul in the Newcastle could only palm into the path of Adebayor to tap in score the opener. Bentaleb made more passes and made more tackles in that game than any other Spurs player.
The video below shows his performance away against Newcastle United.
His young age and the fact he has only just come out of the Development Squad means there are going to be mistakes. He is inexperienced at Premier League level and inconsistency is going to be an issue but he has started his Spurs career in fine style. He has only played 13 games at senior level for the club remember.
The midfielder represented France at age-limit level but opted to play senior international football for Algeria, his parents nationality.
“I’m really looking forward to helping Algeria. It’s a country that I really love and I really want to play for them with all my heart.”
“I hope good things will happen over there. I feel proud to be on the international stage and I feel proud to be with Algeria.”
Algeria are in the same Group H as the Belgians at the World Cup so he'll come up against his Spurs teammates, assuming he is selected which is very likely. This short international fixture break has seen him called up into his first senior squad for the Algeria vs Slovenia tie in Blida.
Bentaleb is a shining example to the other youngsters working their way through the ranks at Spurs, showing what is possible and the fact that you never know what is around the corner. From Development Squad to an international call up and an expected World Cup spot in 10 weeks.
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His success may well have played it's part in Spurs signing another talented young African Musa Yahaya on a pre-contract agreement. The 16 year-old who starred in Nigeria's record fourth U17 World Cup has been loaned out to Celta Vigo.
Recent reports suggest another 16 year-old youngster could be joining him at Spurs, Ismall Azzaoui from Anderlecht. The Belgian club regret he is leaving but can't compete financially with Premier League sides.
Nabil Bentaleb is of course not the only youngster to break through, Andros Townsend has also broken into not only the Spurs side but the England side as well with a World Cup call up looking certain.
Harry Kane has starting to be given cameo roles increasing his first team experience, Tom Carroll is getting regular football with QPR to prepare him and Zeki Fryers has starting the last two games in place of Danny Rose, so there are plenty of role models for youngsters at Tottenham to follow.
He has looked at home in Spurs midfield playing either as a defensive midfield or given licence to play further forward when Etienne Capoue was selected. Bentaleb has shown can play the short simple passes which while unglamourous are a vital part of moving the opposition around, he has twists and turns away from opponents in his locker too.
He has demonstrated from his first game in December against Southampton that he is comfortable on the ball and put in a Man of the Match display against Newcastle, at least in this viewers eye.
The youngster curled a lovely ball from the left wing after beating Sissoko which Tim Krul in the Newcastle could only palm into the path of Adebayor to tap in score the opener. Bentaleb made more passes and made more tackles in that game than any other Spurs player.
The video below shows his performance away against Newcastle United.
His young age and the fact he has only just come out of the Development Squad means there are going to be mistakes. He is inexperienced at Premier League level and inconsistency is going to be an issue but he has started his Spurs career in fine style. He has only played 13 games at senior level for the club remember.
The midfielder represented France at age-limit level but opted to play senior international football for Algeria, his parents nationality.
“I’m really looking forward to helping Algeria. It’s a country that I really love and I really want to play for them with all my heart.”
“I hope good things will happen over there. I feel proud to be on the international stage and I feel proud to be with Algeria.”
Algeria are in the same Group H as the Belgians at the World Cup so he'll come up against his Spurs teammates, assuming he is selected which is very likely. This short international fixture break has seen him called up into his first senior squad for the Algeria vs Slovenia tie in Blida.
Bentaleb is a shining example to the other youngsters working their way through the ranks at Spurs, showing what is possible and the fact that you never know what is around the corner. From Development Squad to an international call up and an expected World Cup spot in 10 weeks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Articles:
One for the Ladies
Soldado talks AVB, Adebayor & Spurs fans
Louis Van Gaal to take on Levy Project
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His success may well have played it's part in Spurs signing another talented young African Musa Yahaya on a pre-contract agreement. The 16 year-old who starred in Nigeria's record fourth U17 World Cup has been loaned out to Celta Vigo.
Recent reports suggest another 16 year-old youngster could be joining him at Spurs, Ismall Azzaoui from Anderlecht. The Belgian club regret he is leaving but can't compete financially with Premier League sides.
Nabil Bentaleb is of course not the only youngster to break through, Andros Townsend has also broken into not only the Spurs side but the England side as well with a World Cup call up looking certain.
Harry Kane has starting to be given cameo roles increasing his first team experience, Tom Carroll is getting regular football with QPR to prepare him and Zeki Fryers has starting the last two games in place of Danny Rose, so there are plenty of role models for youngsters at Tottenham to follow.
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