5 Years On - How far have Spurs come?

It’s 5 years to the day since Rafael van der Vaart, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko fired Spurs to a 3-1 win over Champions League holders Inter Milan at White Hart Lane, yet the images of that famous European night under the lights are still fresh in the memory of most Spurs fans.

It’s hard to believe that not a single player from our 18-man squad that night remains a Tottenham Hotspur player.

The squad from the 2010/11 European campaign has dispersed in a vast range of directions; some grasp Champions League winning medals themselves while others find themselves alone in the wilderness as a ‘Free Agent’.

But how does the team of 2nd November 2010 compare to that of 2nd November 2015? Position by position, here’s how the two face up…

Goalkeeper - Carlo Cudicini vs Hugo Lloris

Probably the easiest choice in the whole debate. Lloris captains Spurs on a weekly basis and leads the way as one of the best stoppers in the Premier League, while Cudicini found himself second in the pecking order to suspended Heurelho Gomes. No brainer.
Verdict: Hugo Lloris

Left Back – Benoit Assou-Ekotto vs Danny Rose

BAE forged an impressive partnership with Gareth Bale on the left wing which tore Inter and many more sides apart. Defensively not as sound but Benny deserves credit despite ending his Spurs career with egg on his face. Danny takes this one, though, as a marauding fullback who’s altogether more aware and trustworthy on the field.
Verdict: Danny Rose

Right Back – Alan Hutton vs Kyle Walker

Hutton currently struggles to make the Aston Villa side but is still far from finished at the top level. An underrated member of the side but had nowhere near the exciting pace and directness of Kyle Walker. Hutton filled a gap, while Walker presents a much more entertaining option.
Verdict: Kyle Walker

Centre Backs – Kaboul & Gallas vs Vertonghen & Alderweireld

Back in the days of a temperamental Gallas and before Younes Kaboul’s rapid decline, these two did a solid job against some of Europe’s elite. But Toby and Jan surely make it a clean sweep for the back 5 having conceded the joint least goals in the entire Premier League this season largely thanks to their growing partnership.
Vertict: Vertonghen & Alderweireld

Defensive Midfield - Tom Huddlestone vs Eric Dier

This one is tough, but Dier has to take it thanks to his impressive form in what is still a new position for him. Thudd is a Spurs cult hero, who captained the side on this Glory Glory night at the Lane, but he never quite fulfilled his potential and held down a place for Spurs or England. This would have been a mammoth clash.
Verdict: Eric Dier (just)

Centre Midfield - Luka Modric vs Dele Alli

It’s the first win for the 2010 side as the little magician that was Luka Modric triumphs over a young Dele Alli; however this one has the potential to change. Modric was one of the world’s best in his time at Spurs, hence his big money move to Real Madrid where he still holds down a starting spot. And yet Alli has shown glimpses of brilliance at just 19…
Verdict: Luka Modric

Left Wing – Gareth Bale vs Erik Lamela

It’s yet another no-brainer, but this time it’s the 2010 side who take it with ease. Gareth Bale, the most expensive player of all time and the best player I’ve seen don the Spurs shirt in my lifetime; up against his below-par replacement. Gareth Bale was the name on everybody’s lips after he annihilated Maicon 5 years ago today.
Verdict: Gareth Bale

Right Wing – Aaron Lennon vs Nacer Chadli

This is is difficult considering one was brought in the all-but replace the other. Chadli certainly produces goals from midfield when you need him to, and so made a good replacement for Everton bound and ageing Lennon. However this was a different Aaron Lennon – he was terrifying. The man who tore the other Milan team to pieces wins here.
Verdict: Aaron Lennon

Creative Midfield – Rafa van der Vaart vs Christian Eriksen

What a battle. Rafa is one of my favourite Spurs players ever, and I still remember the feeling when we brought him in from Madrid. He even bagged a goal in the game against Inter, but Christian Eriksen just edges it in my opinion. This one is so, so close but Eriksen’s technical ability is unrivalled in the current Spurs team.
Verdict: Christian Eriksen

Striker – Peter Crouch vs Harry Kane

Both of these strikers are unstoppable when at the top of their game, but Crouch never managed to bag over 30 goals in his debut season at the top level. Crouchy never let us down and he’ll always have the goals against Inter and AC Milan over Kane, but Harry has the potential to lead our line for years to come.
Verdict: Harry Kane


Final XI – Lloris; Rose Alderweireld Vertonghen Walker; Dier Modric; Bale Eriksen Lennon; Kane


In the space of 5 years we have arguably what would be the greatest Spurs side of the past 20 years, and one that would be endlessly entertaining.

 

Well considering all the 'upgrades' why are we nowhere near as good or pleasing on the eye to watch?

Did a job tonight 3 points secured tried to go spursy but pulled it back.

 

For me, VdV was probably in the top3 in the world at his role. The man was world class, Eriksen is sensational but not in the top3 in the world.

 

Felon, football changes and teams have to adapt. We've struggled with the losses of big players, but we've come over the trough and in a way, I love watching our young lads go out, take on, and normally better, other teams. Sure, we might not be the Lamborghini we were five years ago, but we're now a stocky Land Rover, and we're going in the same direction as the supercar.

Forgive my car analogy, I know jack sh!t about cars.

 

Crouch never let us down? Sent off for two ridiculously pointless challenges against Real Madrid. Crouch let us down.

 

Two teams that had total diff styles but this one cant be compared at all with the last one attack wise .. The last team could be a devastating attacking unit , this one is nothing compared to it in that department ( yet anyway ) i.m.o , but you have to take the diff styles into account here to be fair .. We cant forget this is a very young inexperienced side compared to them either .. We all know what the last team was capable of this one we don't yet ..

 

I didnt see Chadli out there last night, anonymous as usual. Bale, Modric, VDV together. great days.

 

Good article, very interesting. With the likes of Bale, Modric, VDV, and Hudd; lots of creativity in the squad and all at the top of their game. The way Lennon stretched the field and Hudd's long-range passing, not to mention what Bale was able to do and adding on Modric....it makes for very entertaining football.

Our squad right now is still finding itself, I'm more than convinced that in just a few years time we'll be hitting on all cylinders. Just so long as we keep a good core together. I'm intrigued to see how Eriksen keeps improving, Kane's devastating finishing, Alli's maturity and I still think Lamela can raise his game a few volumes. Son's a also a great prospect. Once our squad age gets in the mid twenties, then we'll see something special!! Great win tonight vs. Villa, keep the momentum!! COYS!!

 

Didn't Crouch only manage 3 league goals in 18 months? Imagine if we"d bought Suarez that January we were in the CL. Think we might have had a title to be look back on.

N'mind., things seem to be coming together again now.