The Premier League Owl
One of the stories which has emerged from the deadline day wreckage is Reading’s failed bid for Tottenham’s Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic international made his professional debut for the Berkshire club back in 2008, and so has an affinity with the team and the fans – but even so, Brian McDermott’s late attempt to sign him seems to have been in hope rather than expectation.
Here’s Andre Villas-Boas discussing why the bid was turned down:
“Obviously he’s a player that means a lot to Reading.
But he’s a player that we rate very highly, we brought him here after his amazing contribution (on loan) for Swansea last year and he’s a player we have high expectations for.
Probably this season, at the moment, he is not going to the level he wants, but he’s a player that we believe a lot in, and in his future here.
We couldn’t allow him to leave.”
It’s absolutely the right decision, because even though Sigurdsson hasn’t pulled up any trees at White Hart Lane this season, he’s an extremely useful squad player. Unfortunately, presumably because of the size of the club he now plays for, there’s been a rush to judgement on him and his ability – which, given that he’s still only 23, is extremely premature.
Has he struggled for Spurs this season? Yes. Are there areas of his game, like his first-touch, which need improvement? Absolutely – but he’s still a comfortable upgrade on some of the other back-up midfielders in Villas-Boas’ squad.
Patience, he has a bright future in North London. There will always be in the Premier League for an elegant ball-player and a set-piece expert, he just needs to find his comfort zone.
…… Dramatically been missed*
Agreed, on post and comments. When he has cameoed, he hasn’t been the most effective, but I will say he does play some beautiful passes and quick touches, he just needs a good run of games, and his set pieces with have dramatically! The siganator will become good!
Siggy is someone we don’t need to sell. He will be a very good player for us & fans will look back on this transfer window & be glad we kept him. COYS!
He’ll come good. The signing of Holtby could be a good thing for Siggy. Some of the goals he scored for Swansea were first class and I think people were expecting him to come in and pick up where he left off straight away. Now Tottenham have a more recent signing the pressure’s off the kid. Apart from Defoe and a couple of others the squad’s young so he’s got plenty of time to find his feet at the club.