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Giovani Dos Santos finally shows Tottenham why he’s a fully-fledged star in Mexico and stakes a claim for a start against Arsenal
While pre-match attentions focused on forgotten winger Rohan Ricketts, it was the Mexican who dazzled with a performance which served a timely reminder of his abilities
Sep 30, 2011 8:40:00 AM
By Richard Parry
A quick glance at Giovani dos Santos’ profile on Tottenham’s official website makes for interesting reading.
You’re told how the ‘star’ of both the 2005 under-17 and 2007 under-20 World Championships progressed through the ranks at Barcelona, making 28 senior appearances in the 2007-08 season, before moving to England. It’s all very encouraging.
Yet the most intriguing part to this story is mounted at the very top, in bold: ‘Chances were again limited for Giovani in 2010-11'.
Tottenham’s free-flowing, dauntingly cavalier attacking game under Harry Redknapp should have been the perfect incubator for the Mexico star, but much like the fortune of current QPR favorite Adel Taarabt, Dos Santos has indeed found his chances limited at Spurs.
His talent in unquestionable - his goal in the final of the 2011 Gold Cup is a testament to his attributes – yet it appears to be his attitude since moving to White Hart Lane that has held him back, not to mention the timing of the deal.
Signed by Juande Ramos during the Spaniard’s first (and only) preseason, in a squad transition which was particularly brutal, Dos Santos epitomized what the Spurs fans craved. A flashback to the days of David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne and Ossie Ardiles.
He was not the only one. It should not be overlooked that at this time wing-wizard Gareth Bale was also in the doldrums, but the Welshman’s salvation under Redknapp would come from his work rate.
“Gareth has improved, the penny has dropped with him, there has to be two sides to his game,” said Redknapp in 2010, the start of Bale’s resurgence. “You see him now, he heads the ball, he makes tackles.”
Hunger. This is what Dos Santos has lacked, in Redknapp's eyes. But Thursday night’s performance, albeit against Shamrock Rovers, will have gone a long way to winning him over.
The setting, of course, helped matters. All too often his fleeting sparks have occurred away from home, but with the White Hart Lane crowd behind him, every glimpse of ability was met by cheers from a crowd who’d almost given up after years of willing him to blossom.
He covered ground like never before - seemingly involved in every move Spurs conjured – and his efforts reaped the rewards, as his tenacity encouraged his team-mates to give him the ball.
The scoreboard will show his name beside Tottenham’s third goal, and the assist for Roman Pavlyuchenko’s equalizer, but it will be the chasing, the harrying of opponents and the hunger which will have delighted Redknapp.
Like Bale in January 2010 (who was linked with a proposed loan to Nottingham Forest), the Mexican was close to leaving the club this summer, but since his move to Sevilla fell through he has seen his chances increase.
Having not started a game under Redknapp since being hauled off at half-time during their 4-1 League Cup defeat to Arsenal 12 months ago, the Mexican is in contention to play some part in Sunday’s north London derby, having featured in all of Spurs’ last six matches.
While sceptics will point to the caliber of Spurs’ opponents on Thursday, Shamrock’s technical limitations was more than counterbalanced by endeavor and heart, and it is against such teams that, in the past, Dos Santos has faltered.
The former Barcelona man will have to maintain his appetite to completely win over his manager, but performances such as this, and only this, will force Redknapp to take notice.
Follow Richard Parry on
You’re told how the ‘star’ of both the 2005 under-17 and 2007 under-20 World Championships progressed through the ranks at Barcelona, making 28 senior appearances in the 2007-08 season, before moving to England. It’s all very encouraging.
Yet the most intriguing part to this story is mounted at the very top, in bold: ‘Chances were again limited for Giovani in 2010-11'.
Tottenham’s free-flowing, dauntingly cavalier attacking game under Harry Redknapp should have been the perfect incubator for the Mexico star, but much like the fortune of current QPR favorite Adel Taarabt, Dos Santos has indeed found his chances limited at Spurs.
His talent in unquestionable - his goal in the final of the 2011 Gold Cup is a testament to his attributes – yet it appears to be his attitude since moving to White Hart Lane that has held him back, not to mention the timing of the deal.
Signed by Juande Ramos during the Spaniard’s first (and only) preseason, in a squad transition which was particularly brutal, Dos Santos epitomized what the Spurs fans craved. A flashback to the days of David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne and Ossie Ardiles.
Hunger gains | Dos Santos shows the appetite that could yet make him a Spurs star
He was not the only one. It should not be overlooked that at this time wing-wizard Gareth Bale was also in the doldrums, but the Welshman’s salvation under Redknapp would come from his work rate.
“Gareth has improved, the penny has dropped with him, there has to be two sides to his game,” said Redknapp in 2010, the start of Bale’s resurgence. “You see him now, he heads the ball, he makes tackles.”
| DOS SANTOS' KEY MATCH STATS |
|
 |
|
| TOTAL SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET GOALS ASSISTS |
6 4 1 1 |
| PLAYER RATING |
|
| 8.5 | Seemed to be involved in the vast majority of his side's attacking endeavors with a few neat and tidy passes in and around the box as he roamed well in off the left flank. Great finish to effectively kill the game off. |
The setting, of course, helped matters. All too often his fleeting sparks have occurred away from home, but with the White Hart Lane crowd behind him, every glimpse of ability was met by cheers from a crowd who’d almost given up after years of willing him to blossom.
He covered ground like never before - seemingly involved in every move Spurs conjured – and his efforts reaped the rewards, as his tenacity encouraged his team-mates to give him the ball.
The scoreboard will show his name beside Tottenham’s third goal, and the assist for Roman Pavlyuchenko’s equalizer, but it will be the chasing, the harrying of opponents and the hunger which will have delighted Redknapp.
Like Bale in January 2010 (who was linked with a proposed loan to Nottingham Forest), the Mexican was close to leaving the club this summer, but since his move to Sevilla fell through he has seen his chances increase.
Having not started a game under Redknapp since being hauled off at half-time during their 4-1 League Cup defeat to Arsenal 12 months ago, the Mexican is in contention to play some part in Sunday’s north London derby, having featured in all of Spurs’ last six matches.
While sceptics will point to the caliber of Spurs’ opponents on Thursday, Shamrock’s technical limitations was more than counterbalanced by endeavor and heart, and it is against such teams that, in the past, Dos Santos has faltered.
The former Barcelona man will have to maintain his appetite to completely win over his manager, but performances such as this, and only this, will force Redknapp to take notice.
Follow Richard Parry on
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