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Are Dempsey’s days at Tottenham numbered?

Clint Dempsey Tottenham 3 (Getty Images)

By IVES GALARCEP

The day Tottenham fell short of the stated goal of reaching the top four in the English Premier League, and earning the Champions League place that goes with it, Spurs set out on trying to bolster the squad with a spending spree aimed at closing the gap atop the EPL.

Reports in England suggest that Tottenham’s revamping, and plans for the upcoming season could include the sale of Clint Dempsey. Spurs have been splashing the cash this transfer window, with the recent acquisition of Brazilian Confederations Cup standout Paulinho as the first major move. Tottenham are reportedly eyeing Christian Benteke, and preparing a move for Belgian winger Nacer Chadli.

There has yet to be anything definitive to show Tottenham’s clear intent to unload Dempsey, but it is clear Spurs are open to listening if teams step forward with offers. Tottenham has already unloaded Tom Huddlestone and David Bentley, with Scott Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermaine Defoe expected to be sold this summer.

Dempsey, 30, scored 12 goals in his first season at Tottenham, earning regular minutes in Andres Villas Boas’ squad rotation, but with Villas Boas looking to bolster the squad with younger and more expensive options, such as Paulinho and long-time Tottenham transfer target Leandro Damiao, Dempsey could be made expendable.

So where could Dempsey go if Tottenham really has decided to sell him?

Liverpool made a well-publicized bid for Dempsey last summer, though the move was remembered more for the embarrassingly low offer Liverpool made, an offer that was easily beaten by Tottenham’s ultimate price for the U.S. star.

Sunderland is another club that could make sense. The Black Cats are looking to revamp their attack, and their new billionaire American owner, Ellis Short, has already spent big money on one American in Jozy Altidore.

The real question would be whether Dempsey would be open to a move outside England. If his ultimate goal remains playing in the UEFA Champions League, then at this point he would need to leave England to realize that dream. He has mentioned France in the past as a league he would be open to playing in.

We shouldn’t assume Dempsey will be sold, or that he won’t play if he stays. Dempsey’s versatility and skill have helped him face these sort of challenges before, and he has kept on performing.

The big fear among USMNT fans is that Dempsey could wind up buried on the bench at Tottenham, or struggling at a new club, in the year before a World Cup. Those concerns are understandable, but it should also be noted that Dempsey has faced tough challenges throughout his career, including the carousel of managers he played for at Fulham, and he has found a way to succeed each time. Dempsey doesn’t shrink when faced with adversity. He shines.

What do you think of these developments? Where would you like to see Dempsey go? Are you hoping he stays at Tottenham?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I wouldn’t exactly say Spurs have been “splashing the cash”. They’ve made one, “1”, acquisition this summer. Yes, it is a Spurs record for a single player, but they have not brought in a multidue of other players in a total revamp. In fact, given what they spent for Paulinho probably indicates only a few more possible moves, depending on who they can offload. And if you know anything about Spurs, it is highly unlikely that both Adebayor and Defoe would both be sold. And there are no completed deals for Huddlestone or Parker yet. So let’s not start fretting about Dempsey’s future. He may not be any every game starter, but he is fairly versatile between forward and attacking mid slots and he has a knack for timely scoring. Don’t think AVB will undervalue both of those aspects.

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  2. I as Fulham supporter I say forget England. It’s too much about physicality. The Italian game is more suited to someone who’s a bit older but plays a cerebral brand of soccer. The Italians don’t chase the ball around like eleven raccoons on a pork chop. I would like to see Dempsey in Serie A and think he would do well there for quite a few years.

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