Some players can easily be categorized as unequivocal flops or successes for a side, but some seep through the crevices of the surface, remaining as nothing but an echo inviting people to debate whether they really worked out for a team, were rated too much, or not at all.
In this article, we present to you our top 5 picks for the most underrated Tottenham Hotspur players of all time.
Erik Lamela
Lamela was a highly-rated teenager at Roma when Spurs came calling for him back in 2013, offering a record fee in hopes that the young Argentine would be able to fill the boots of the outgoing Gareth Bale.
Sadly, Lamela didn’t. Much like most of the players Spurs in that transfer window, he didn’t turn out to be an out-and-out success. But, when you take into account that he went on to play for the club for eight years, registered 37 goals and 44 assists in a little over 250 appearances, and definitely had his moments, Lamela cannot be categorized as a sure flop either. He worked with what he had and delivered for Tottenham both during the height of Mauricio Pochettino’s powers and the turbulence that followed him.
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Pavlyuchenko played in the Premier League for only three and a half seasons, that too for one club, but he is still remembered as a “streets won’t forget” player; such was the charm of Harry Redknapp’s Lilywhites.
The former Russia international delivered over 50 goals and assists in 113 appearances for Tottenham. Arriving at White Hart Lane in the summer of 2008 for €17.4 million, he was sent back to Russia in the winter of 2012 for €9 million.
Jermaine Jenas
Jenas might have retired very early, calling time on a career hit severely by injuries right when he reached his thirties, but that should not take away from the fact that he was one of the most highly-rated midfielders during the early years of his career as he first became an indispensable part of Newcastle United and then Spurs.
Over an eight-year period, the former England international made 202 appearances for Spurs, registering 26 goals and 23 assists despite often playing deep in midfield.
Ben Davies
Now in his eleventh season at the club, this veteran Welshman often does not get the credit he deserves both for his longevity and the consistency with which he covered multiple defensive roles for his side. This is not often helped by Davies’ lack of flair and a relatively calm temperament, but having played over 300 times for a club usually means that a move has worked out, and Davies’ €12.65m move from Swansea certainly did.
Danny Rose
Danny Rose is 34 years old, the same age as Kyle Walker, but while the latter continues to belie his age, the former has been retired for two years. Given how his career spun out in the later years, people often tend to forget that Rose was at one point one of England’s best fullbacks on the left, much like Walker on the right. He made over 200 appearances for Spurs across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing another 23 assists.
€1 million was all it took for Spurs to bring a teenage Rose over from Leeds United back in 2007. Money not well spent? You decide.
What do you make of our picks? Reckon there’s someone we missed? Let us know in the comments.