Liverpool and Manchester City eye Tottenham flop
Liverpool and Manchester City aim to succeed where Tottenham have failed before them
Both Liverpool and Manchester City have their sights set on big-name attacking transfers this summer. However, if they start to miss out on their top targets, expect their attention to quickly turn to current Newcastle, and former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend.
The Mirror are reporting that both Premier League clubs are considering a move for the English international this summer. Reportedly, Townsend has a release clause of just 10.5 million pounds which would represent a nominal investment for either club. Their other attacking targets will likely be priced more than three times that amount.
The release clause would have been higher if Newcastle had avoided the drop, but their relegation to the Championship next season may well cost them Townsend’s services. Even the chance to play for Rafa Benitez likely won’t be enough to keep him with the Magpies.
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The real question here is whether or not Townsend is good enough to help a club with Premier League title aspirations. His performance did improve after he moved from Tottenham to Newcastle, but Spurs didn’t sell him for no reason. Mauricio Pochettino and company obviously believed that he lacked the quality, and consistency, to thrive at White Hart Lane.
It’s easy to see how officials at City and Liverpool might come to a different conclusion though. When Townsend is on his game he can be a dynamic force on the offensive end of the pitch. His speed can electrify the home fans and again, on his day, he can put the ball into the back of the net.
The trouble, as Spurs fans are well-aware, is that Townsend is susceptible to extended periods of poor form. When he’s not at his best, he can truly be awful. He probably left Tottenham as the club’s all-time leader in number of shots that ended up as throw-ins. His presence on the pitch is also a real threat to fans sitting 50 or so rows behind the goal. To say that his shooting isn’t always accurate would be a severe understatement.
Still, it’s easy to believe that managers like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola think they can improve his consistency. He certainly has the ability to play at an extremely high level. If one of those talented managers can find a way to coax good performances out of Townsend for an entire season, they could have a real gem on their hands.
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Ultimately though, expect for Townsend to frustrate whatever club he plays for next season. Tottenham fans already know the roller coaster ride that owning Andros Townsend can be for home fans.