It’s fair to say that Giovani Does Santos has struggled to establish himself at White Hart Lane since he made his move from Barcelona back in 2008. In fact he’s only made 10 appearances for Tottenham and remains on the periphery of the club to this very moment. It’s been almost a year since the young Mexican last made an appearance for the club.
It’s understandable therefore that Dos Santos was keen to make his exit from the club during the summer. Yet thanks to Harry Redknapp, a move failed to materialise. Dos Santos recently told Sport: “To be honest I already felt at another club, Sevilla, and we had already completed more than 50 per cent of negotiations… Almost everything had been agreed but with half an hour to go Spurs changed their minds, something I found very odd”.
Why did Harry have this sudden change of heart? What is it he suddenly sees in the youngster that he didn’t before? Dos Santos himself is in no doubt as to his current position at the club:
“I was very surprised Redknapp changed his mind, given that in the three years I’ve been with Spurs, he has not used me or had confidence in me. I hope this time he is honest and tells the truth when I talk to him about where he would like me to play. Both myself and my agent have been left disappointed, sad and angry at the way Spurs have acted and after such a long time without having any confidence in me I am now going to get my chance, which seems strange.”
The back-and-forth between the club and Redknapp has clearly left Dos Santos dizzy, but when the young Mexican makes his return from injury in about six weeks time, should he get a proper chance to show what he can do for Tottenham?
Those who get on the wrong side of Harry Redknapp rarely get a chance to fall back into his good graces, but it would appear that a number of impressive International displays have given the Tottenham boss pause for thought. My feeling is that Giovani Dos Santos needs patience and time for him to start playing his best football. Not the occasional game here and there. Is this something Spurs can offer?
What was an already packed midfield, got more competitive with the deadline day addition of Scott Parker, and Dos Santos may well find himself increasingly sidelined as the season goes on. If Harry can’t afford him patience, guidance and encouragement, he shouldn’t have been kept at the club. You can’t help but feel however, that he’d be a lot more effective than Aaron Lennon, both in terms of creating and scoring goals.
I’d say it’s time to give him a real shot. Whether or not Redknapp will, however, is very much up in the air.
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
For an opportunity to win tickets to see Bolton take on Manchester United, click here!
Or have a look at the ten strikers that we think will lead the race for the Golden Boot next season
We need to play this kid immediately just to test whether he has improved or not.
Give him a chance to recover from injury first… 6 weeks? That is unlucky because VDV is out for 6 weeks… That is the spot for Gio to try. Gio cannot play RW for Spurs because our wingers are expected to put in a shift – both going forwards and backwards. At the very least least Lennon does that. I was there when Gio played RW for Spurs vs Wigan, and he was LESS than ineffective…
Great. So he has one ineffective game in one position (he is a striker, doesn’t just play on the wing) and he is therefore useless.
On that basis, how many others in the team would still be playing?
He has shown what he can do in a team that wants him and that is far above what Lennon provides.
This kid shows so much ability when he plays for Mexico – you’ve got to think that he has an attitude problem. Harry would have used him by now – he’s got bags of talent. All you need to know is that he was in the Barcelona team before he signed for us. No really – he actually got a game for them. How funny is that?!
He played for Mexico 2 days ago. Was he injured then?
It’s one of Redknapps failings as a manager and it will hard for me to see Gio given his chance. He needs to be persevered with and given a run of games so he can get some confidence. Once he has been given a run in the side I am sure it will reap dividends because Gio is a class player and it is a crime what has gone on for him at Tottenham. With the Europa Cup we are bound tho have lots of games so he should be given his chance and show what skill he has. I am sure he has grown up and realized he has to knuckle down, quit the nightclubs and dedicate himself to playing football.
Don’t think he’s injured, played for Mexico the other night. I would give him a go supporting Adebayor up front or in a three but he’s definitely not a right winger!
He played right wing for Mexico. And was the MOTM for them the last game I saw. It isn’t his attitude that needs changing, but if anybody’s needs changing it must be Harry’s.
Gio has played in the Premier Leaqgue for Spurs and under Harry too but was worse than the alternatives so others get picked ahead of him. I am sure he will look like a superstar against Shamrock Rovers but in the league he just looks like another Adel Taarabt.
Giovani s a cf for Mexico he is allowd to play freely behin the. Striker in a 442..