Nacer Chadli criticised for having 'no bite'

Despite Spurs keeping their top four hopes intact with a hard-fought 2-1 win over QPR yesterday, Nacer Chadli has come in for some criticism.

The Belgium international started on the left hand side of Mauricio Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 formation and had a relatively quiet game before being replaced by Erik Lamela on 79 minutes.

BBC pundit Steve Claridge was not impressed with the former Twente attacker’s contribution and feels that Chadli does not offer enough of a threat for the side.

“Anyone seen Nacer Chadli play? Does he give you the impression he has got a little bit left in the tank every time he plays?” Claridge told BBC Sport.

“There is no real bite or appetite to his game. He is flitting in and out. Just watching him is really frustrating.”

In all honesty, Chadli did not have his best game at Loftus Road but has certainly improved this season.

After an underwhelming first campaign in English football, the Belgian attacking midfielder has proven that he can contribute to the Spurs cause with eight Premier League goals this season.

However, in terms of Claridge’s criticism, two points can be ascertained.

Chadli can do more

There is no doubting that when in the mood and on the right day, Chadli is a pegged-on starter for Spurs and can prove devastating when linking up with Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane.

His ability to start on the left and turn onto his right foot has provided a number of goals and assists for the team this season and his poise on the ball is there for all to see.

However, the Belgian has been wasteful on plenty of occasions this term and for Chadli to fully integrate himself in the team and prove himself to the White Hart Lane faithful his delivery needs to improve.

The potential is there and he is a better option than someone like Lamela currently, but in the final third he needs to be more accurate and clinical.

Gone off the boil recently

Eight goals is a positive return for what is essentially a midfielder, but the bulk of those strikes came in the first half of the season.

Although he did net against Swansea in midweek, that was Chadli’s only goal in the Premier League in 2015.

It is fair to state that some of the rip-roaring performances that he put in coming up to the festive season break have not been replicated recently and the player has gone off the boil slightly.

This could well be down to personal reasons given that his father died recently and Pochettino must manage the star appropriately.

However, all-in-all, I have been happy with Chadli’s contributions this season in the most part but feel that he can get better as he continues to adapt to English football.

 

He did have a quiet game but as anyone who has played the game will tell you, a winger can often have a quiet game if the bulk of the play is on the other side of the pitch.
Overall he is vastly improved on last season.

 

So right.
Chadli, one of the so called magnificent was finding his ability earlier on, and proved that the could play and score good goals.
Don't be like Adebayor, hot and cold, and be left on the bench.
He has talents, and need to be ' On the rise '.

 

Hang on didn't Chadli score twice against Chelsea on 1 January 2015? His dad has just died suddenly and I imagine he is still mourning. Give him a break. He is much better than Lamela and Townsend

 

Slightly harsh from Claridge. Wingers do drift in and out of games, and he has improved this season to. I wasn't keen on him last season, but he has settled and can hopefully kick on a bit more next season! And most importantly, a great goal and celebration against the goons. Almost up there with Ade's when he netted for City and ran the length of the pitch to celebrate lol!

 

This. Some of you guys are far 'tougher' than me as my father dying affected me adversely for sometime. He still managed to score a goal against Swansea which had it been Aguero they would be using it as the intro for MotD. Pochettino is presumably aware of the situation and prepared to let Nacer play his way back in. To echo Nick k, give him a break.

 

Well said. Definitely one of our most improved players this season...

 

Chadli has been okay this season but somehow I feel he has the potential to be much better and so Im slightly disappointed by his performances and tend to agree up to a point with Claridge. He may improve but to be a cert top four ( or better) we clearly need two "world class" players alongside Eriksen and Kane.

 

For me Chadli is this seasons unsung hero. He kept us in contention when we weren't playing well as a team in the early season and his service from the left sparked off Harry Kane's run of form. His unselfish play yesterday created Harrys second goal. Give the guy a break and back him to play a crucial role in getting us into the top 4.

 

Does Chadli's goal against Chelsea on 1st January not count?

 

I think the widespread willingness to make excuses for individual failure is a generational thing - Chadli's father has died, so he can effectively take a back seat for the rest of the season? It's only very recently that people have stopped excusing Soldado's terrible performances on the grounds that his wife had a miscarriage more than a year ago - doesn't a 'professional' sportsman have a responsibility to EARN his seven-figure salary? I'm old enough to remember an era when you just got on with it, but now being a 'victim' is to win the lottery of life; it's a free pass to wallow in self-pity, and someone else is to blame - it wasn't what made Britain great, but it certainly helps to explain the state of this country today.

 

He's much more suited to the BPL than Lamela, such is obvious! Chadli is a much stronger physical presence, built like Dembele, whereas Lamela is very similar in stature to Eriksen, but currently without as much technical ability. I like Chadli as a player, and he'll come on leaps and bounds under Pochettino

 

All in, Chadli has scored 10 goals and has a few assists. I don't think there's many wingers with better figures in the Prem this season. Despite a family bereavement the guy is still performing to a decent standard. Ok he's not pulling up trees but for me is well worth his place in the side.

 

Wingers flit in and out of games. It's what they go but when he is involved, he scores goals and creates goals. Yes, he was quiet yesterday but he is much better than Lamela or Townsend. Considering recent events in his private life, I think he can be forgiven for being slightly distracted but at least he wanted to play for the team.

He has improved a lot this season and I see him as a big part of our plans under Pochettino.

Lamela on the other hand can go back to Italy where he will have all the time in the world to play well. He simply isn't cut out for the premier league.

 

Chadli has been pretty much the same all year, he drifts in and out of games but is good for the odd goal. Had a blinder against Chelsea and works well with Kane, not a natural winger at all but does come inside and gives us something of an option as a second striker and thats why most of our left wing play comes from Danny Rose. I havnt seen a indication that he's feeling sorry for himself at all, this is how Chadli plays all the time. He may not always be involved in the build up but he certainly knows where the net is. Both he and Eriksen have contributed much needed goals from the MF this year.

 

This "blind loyalty" to Chadli is nicer to see than criticism but enough is enough. My father died. So has chadli's. You don't sulk and feel sorry for yourself and I'm certain when Chadli is out on the pitch his professional focus kicks in and his father doesn't enter his thoughts for a second.
He is okay but not at the level we need to be a cert top four. One performance and goal against Chelski doesn't make him the 'real deal'. I like Chadli but sadly unless he does a Harry Kane and suddenly go up a level or two, I maintain we need something better.

 

Chadli is a decent player but far too lazy for my liking, he has some end product way more than Townsend and Lamela.
Poch was brought in to play high pressing attacking football at saints he had lallana lambert Jrod all on the front foot pressing harassing the defence and punishing forced errors, at the moment we only have Kane doing this and he could definately do with a hand.
Think in all honesty we need better quality players than Chadli, Lamela and Townsend if we are to replicate this or more importantly be a serious Top 4 CL outfit.

 

As a team were are missing a true leader in the midfield. I like Bentaleb and Mason as a partnership but they're still young and can't hold the players around them accountable. This would be a perfect role Schneiderlin. I do agree that effort-wise Chadli can make massive improvements and also trying to be more consistent, especially when playing with Kane up top. Eriksen puts in the work and has been a solid squad player. Our midfield needs to find a balance where we can be present on the offensive end but stay intact with our defense. We concede way to many goals to be a top side.

 

He actually scored against the rent boys on jan 1st 2015 so he hasn't scored only one in 2015. Also he was bound to have a dip in form after what happened to his father, but he is still important coz he adds such a balance to the side on the left. I would still pick him day in and day out.

 

Steve Claridge ! Come on people the guys a bad pundit on that show about the Champioship after Match of the Day ! Chadli has contributed and stepped up when players bought for three or fours times his buying price have disappeared ! Fully suppurt Nacer as we enter the business end of the Premier League. Go Nacer, i know he will always treasure his time at Spurs, i think he plays with his heart ! Coys.