The recruitment of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker is an exciting development for the club. Not only do fans have the pleasure of having two more same-named players to confuse with their encouragement or abuse to go alongside Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas, but it seems the two former Blades are ready for first team duty.
It seems a safe football bet that the fact they have chosen Spurs is significant. The smaller squads of Everton and Aston Villa, rumoured to be interested in the pair, might have seemed a more attractive proposition for players seeking first team football.
Both cannot have failed to notice they joined in the week that another Spurs full back, Chris Gunter, returned to the Championship after failing to make a breakthrough. The fact that both specialise at right back does not help their chances.
Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda have recently arrived and will provide tough competition. This suggests the manager is not truly happy with any of the incumbents, with his repurchase of Chimbonda particularly puzzling.
It also suggests Gareth Bale, often touted for a move away from the Lane last term, is indeed on his way out. Some other big clubs are rumoured to be interested and I would only want to see him leave for a major profit – he played with more confidence at the end of last season and is still a better long-term prospect at left back than Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Both Naughton and Walker have made England representative appearances (U21 and U19 respectively) and the former, older by a year and a half, should make more of an impact this season.
He can play as a right winger as well as at left back and is clearly a good man to have on the bench. He featured in the PFA Championship team of the year last season.
The last double signings from one club were Michael Dawson and Andy Reid in January 2005. We had a hit and a miss on that occasion and it is hoped at least one of the Kyles proves to be an excellent long-term investment.
It seems a safe football bet that the fact they have chosen Spurs is significant. The smaller squads of Everton and Aston Villa, rumoured to be interested in the pair, might have seemed a more attractive proposition for players seeking first team football.
Both cannot have failed to notice they joined in the week that another Spurs full back, Chris Gunter, returned to the Championship after failing to make a breakthrough. The fact that both specialise at right back does not help their chances.
Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda have recently arrived and will provide tough competition. This suggests the manager is not truly happy with any of the incumbents, with his repurchase of Chimbonda particularly puzzling.
It also suggests Gareth Bale, often touted for a move away from the Lane last term, is indeed on his way out. Some other big clubs are rumoured to be interested and I would only want to see him leave for a major profit – he played with more confidence at the end of last season and is still a better long-term prospect at left back than Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Both Naughton and Walker have made England representative appearances (U21 and U19 respectively) and the former, older by a year and a half, should make more of an impact this season.
He can play as a right winger as well as at left back and is clearly a good man to have on the bench. He featured in the PFA Championship team of the year last season.
The last double signings from one club were Michael Dawson and Andy Reid in January 2005. We had a hit and a miss on that occasion and it is hoped at least one of the Kyles proves to be an excellent long-term investment.
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