Did Spurs watch 22yo Dutch winger Ola John?
Who else could our scout have been watching at the Benfica vs Guimaraes fixture on Saturday night, which Benfica won 3-0.
We won't be able to afford 26-year-old Nicolás Gaitán so despite paper guesses it was unlikely to be their Argentine captain and scorer of their third goal. The opening Benfica goal was scored by 30-year-old Brazilian striker Jonas, who I discuss in the 'Were Spurs watching Brazilian striker Jonas' article.
There is another option though and that is the scorer of the second Benfica goal, 22-year-old Dutch winger Ola John. We know we are after a winger who can play inverted and score goals with Aaron Lennon seemingly on his way out.
On 24 May 2012, he signed for an initial €9 million rising to €12 million on a five-year deal that includes a €45 million release clause. Such a release clause is normal for Portuguese clubs to try and obtain top prices for players and to tie players into contracts. Benfica however are happy to let him leave with both Swansea and Liverpool having him watched. He value now is around £7 million.
John is a right footed left winger and Benfica play a diamond shape where movement is crucial so in that respect he may fit Pochettino's system as an understudy to and challenging for Chadli's position on the left. Jay Rodriguez remains very much a player of interest and we are talking to 25-year-old Marseille wide man André Ayew. John may well be another player we keep a watch on.
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John has scored 2 goals and has 2 assists in 432 minutes of Primeira Liga football, a goal every 216 minutes and a goal impact every 108 minutes. He has one Dutch cap to his name against Italy and hasn't produced the goods Benfica were expecting. Clearly there is potential there and having played at Benfica he is used to the team coming before the individual so perhaps Spurs feel they could bring out the untapped potential.
We won't be able to afford 26-year-old Nicolás Gaitán so despite paper guesses it was unlikely to be their Argentine captain and scorer of their third goal. The opening Benfica goal was scored by 30-year-old Brazilian striker Jonas, who I discuss in the 'Were Spurs watching Brazilian striker Jonas' article.
There is another option though and that is the scorer of the second Benfica goal, 22-year-old Dutch winger Ola John. We know we are after a winger who can play inverted and score goals with Aaron Lennon seemingly on his way out.
| Personal Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name: | Ola John | ||
| Date of birth: | 19 May 1992 | ||
| Place of birth: | Zwedru, Liberia | ||
| Height: | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position: | Winger | ||
| Senior Playing Career | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2012 | Twente | 46 | (9) |
| 2012– | Benfica | 38 | (2) |
| 2014 | → Hamburger SV (loan) | 8 | (0 |
On 24 May 2012, he signed for an initial €9 million rising to €12 million on a five-year deal that includes a €45 million release clause. Such a release clause is normal for Portuguese clubs to try and obtain top prices for players and to tie players into contracts. Benfica however are happy to let him leave with both Swansea and Liverpool having him watched. He value now is around £7 million.
John is a right footed left winger and Benfica play a diamond shape where movement is crucial so in that respect he may fit Pochettino's system as an understudy to and challenging for Chadli's position on the left. Jay Rodriguez remains very much a player of interest and we are talking to 25-year-old Marseille wide man André Ayew. John may well be another player we keep a watch on.
Recent Articles
Pochettino reveals the problem remains
Paulinho's is a forced future at the club
Could Adebayor hold the key to Sneijder deal?
Stambouli & Capoue fail their auditions
Tottenham working on 3 summer deals
Close to an opportunity but not to actually play
Anderton reveals player attitude has been Spurs problem
John has scored 2 goals and has 2 assists in 432 minutes of Primeira Liga football, a goal every 216 minutes and a goal impact every 108 minutes. He has one Dutch cap to his name against Italy and hasn't produced the goods Benfica were expecting. Clearly there is potential there and having played at Benfica he is used to the team coming before the individual so perhaps Spurs feel they could bring out the untapped potential.
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