Though young Steven Caulker’s rise to fame has been pretty rapid, he sure seems to be collecting a fairly impressive list of credentials. Consider this: he’s now got a whole season worth of Premier League experience under his belt (thanks to his time at Swansea City), has participated in an Olympic tournament and has been a big part of the England U21 set-up (he even grabbed a goal in a recent international against Azerbaijan.
Best of all, he’s looked assured and professional throughout. He looks like he belongs and he looks a lot better than his age may suggest.
So why then, do Tottenham continue to rely on William Gallas? The Frenchman has had a prestigious career and comes complete with bucket loads of experience. The fact is, however, for all the positive aspects of his game, his age looks to be taking its toll. At 35-years-old, he’s starting to look increasingly shaky at the back. It’s getting to a stage where I have to hold my breath every time he’s on the ball, or dives into a challenge.
Whilst I think Jan Vertonghen has looked fairly solid, I’d rather see Tottenham look at their youth options, key amongst which is Caulker. Yes he’s only 20-years-old, but I believe he has more to offer this Tottenham side than Gallas. Giving him a role in the side would also help Spurs build towards a promising future.
Of course, it’d be a gamble. Andre Villas-Boas is currently under a lot of pressure and if he did bet on Caulker, only for the youngster to disappoint, then his job could be at stake. On the flip side, however, it’s hard for Tottenham’s start to the season to get much worse. As things stand, Tottenham look rather brittle at the back. Whilst they can soak up a certain degree of pressure, they’re prone to crack when it matters most and this has cost Spurs points during their first three games.
Some may argue that Michael Dawson should be granted a starting role. However AVB sets up his defence to operate with a high line and Dawson’s lack of pace could cause him to struggle. Caulker’s youth and vigour, however, could be just the ticket.
Tottenham have a real talent on their hands here. He’s one of the best young defenders in the game. Surely it’s time that they start to unlock his potential?
What’s your take? Does Caulker deserve a starting role in this Tottenham squad?
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Good article. I believe in Caulker but AVB should play him in the 1st cup (Europe or League cup)game and if he shines then he can play him in the premiership switching with Gallas and Vertongen to avoid burn out for them.
I think so, however we are not privy what happens on the training ground. AVB seems to be experimenting now and I love the way he is giving real playing time to a lot of the bench in an effort to build different strengths that we can use later on in the season.
Some might see this experimentation as a problem but I feel he will know the team far better because of it when the bigger games come up(I hope).
He will get his chance.
With the form we are in at the minute, I believe that gallas does still have a lot to offer the team with his ability to read the game and overall experience.
We need a few points on th board before caulker should given a starting role.
Start him in Europe and cup games until our form starts to reach its potential
What we need is goals at the other end. It allows the manager to sub players on that need to pick up match time, but as long as there is only 1 goal in it He will never get the newer players up to speed. Gallas is good for an hour but gets tired after that, subbing him is an ideal way to bring Caulker up to speed but that 2 goal cusion is vital for it to work without piling presure on the lad.
It is still too early to see if Caulker will be any good. He needs to play in some cup games first, to see if he can step up. In the meantime, he can play for the under 21 team. Vertonghen and Kaboul are the main centre backs. I would play Gallas and Dawson before Caulker because of their experience and you know what you are going to get with them.
Again this is the probablem with Spurs, we think we are bigger than we actually are…
Caulker has won player of the year in League One @18 years old, Player of his club in Championship @19 years old, wins an England call up after an impressive season with Swansea in the Premiership and impresses massively in the Olympics and yet we still doubt him for Spurs.
He should be playing now ahead of Gallas, his aerial superiority would definately of been a help during the closing stages of the last 2 games were we have conceded 2 goals from set plays
I honestly can’t say I’ve been impressed with Caulker any time I’ve seen him. Defensively Swansea had a good record with him in the team but to me he still looks a long way short of being a player I’d want to see starting regularly. I actually think he’d be better out on loan for a while where he can play regularly and continue learning and developing
I agree about Gallas though, but feel the player who should be playing is Dawson, excellent CB, strong, good reader, aerially good and has great character
Let Caulker get some cameo roles as sub to see how he gets on but bring Dawson in now as partner to Vertonghen
get your football knowledge right first mate
CAULKER SHOULD BE IN THE 1ST TEAM NOW! AS YOU SAY GALLAS TO ME IS QUITE SHAKY AT THE MOMENT ON OR OFF THE BALL,THE DEFENCE SHOULD READ WALKER EKOTTO DAWSON CAULKER VERTONGHEN AND OF COURSE KABOUL ON HIS RETURN FROM INJURY WILL LIVEN THINGS UP FOR SURE .
Here at Swansea we saw Steven progress into a cultured and reliable defender last season and would love to have had him back again on loan. It surprises me that Spurs haven’t yet blooded him in their first team, he is a class act and having already had a full season in the premier league is undoubtably ready to take over at the back from the ageing Gallas.
@ Swansea Jack: i am a spurs fan, and i have thought the same. if he could do it for swansea, why cant he do it for spurs?? i think now is the time, when he is 25 his potentcial will be lost, or stagnated. we should be playing him now.
If Fergie can do it with Phil Jones and an unknown in Chris Smalling last season, how can we not do it with someone proven in three divisions in three years? I think Man Utd are fuelled by ambition and fight, and this is what will be offered by Caulker.
Well not least season but you get the picture.