When Jermain Defoe walked on to the hallow turf of White Hart Lane Tuesday night, the former Portsmouth striker was met with a rapturous applause from the faithful Tottenham fans. One man who was unlikely to cheer Defoe’s arrival was Tottenham colleague and fellow striker Giovani Dos Santos.
While Defoe was paraded in front of his fans, Dos Santos sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes of Tottenham’s 4-1 win against Burnley in the Carling Cup semi-final. For the Mexican international and son of a Brazilian footballer, this has been a common occurence for Giovani. In the season thus far, he’s started only two Premier League matches, and made just four Premier League substitute appearances. A dismal record indeed for a player Spurs paid Barcelona £4.7 million for his services.
Granted, Giovani has been hampered by an ankle injury since October, so he hasn’t had a chance to shine at White Hart Lane, but with the arrival of Defoe, the continuous improvement of Roman Pavlyuchenko and the insurance policy of having Darren Bent available on the bench, there isn’t room for a player of Giovani’s salary at Spurs. Then there’s Manchester United loanee Fraizer Campbell who, to illustrate how low Giovani is on Harry Redknapp’s pecking order, played against Burnley instead of the Mexican striker.
Even though Defoe is in the limelight and Dos Santos is a fading memory, the Mexican striker has generated interest with Mexican club Chivas who have enquired about securing Dos Santos on a loan for the remainder of the season.
There’s no doubt that Giovani can regain his form and match fitness at a different club than Tottenham Hotspur. The 19-year-old has the skill necessary to succeed whether it’s as an attacking midfielder or second striker. He is, by far, a lightweight player, so the wisdom that Damien Comoli showed in signing the starlet has to be questioned especially in a very physical league such as the Premiership.
Over the next week as Defoe is paraded in front of the national press and on television, spare a thought for one unlucky Mexican striker. A man who came to Spurs at the wrong time under the wrong manager, and who now finds himself under the tutelage of a manager who doesn’t believe in him. He is the forgotten man, another in a series of players who are overshadowed by new signings in the January transfer window.
Still hurt. Still hurt. Still hurt.
Why is Essien the forgotten man at Chelsea?
I am still hopeful that Giovani will make a mark at tottenham. Not that this makes any difference, but I found out about the deal way before the rumours started in the press…and that added a little extra excitement to it all (you know, knowing about the transfer of a supposed young star from Barca and all…) So, I hope he is given a chance, gets his dues…for the last 15 minutes of the game I was desperate for Harry to get him on, as well as Adel Taarabt… just wasnt to be though
I think when Redknapp said that his squad was poorly balanced and lacked physicality, that for sure signalled the end of Giovani's career at Spurs.
I think that Giovanii dos santos should go to chealse because Redknapp is a very racist person, gio will do much better in another team.
How is Redknapp racist? He went out of his way to buy someone who is black. Seriously that makes no sense. Is he racist against Hispanics but not blacks? That makes no sense.
play him on the left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hes better as a winger anyway
Johnny Two Saints will turn good. He's very very young. it's not going to be this year, but given time he will get a run out. Campbell is gone at the end of the year and Bent is not a long term option either. In that time Johnny can learn the language a bit more, get accustomed to life in London and will be a great super sub for the next few years.
And let's not forget that if we lose Lennon at any point, Dos Santos can easily take his place. Well when it comes to creative players with pace.
PLAY HIM ON THE LEFT AND TARRABAT ON THE RIGHT FOR 15 MINS PLEASE HARRY!!
WE HAVE RONALDINIO AND ZIDANE CLONES IN OUR TEAM!!
yeah let the boy for a full game atleast to see what he capable of…
ALL I THINK IS THAT HARRY IS A RACIST BASTARD , GIO HAS MORE TALENT THEN ANYONE ONE THE TEAM . THE ONLY REASON I WATCH TOTTENHAM IS BECAUSE HE'S THEIR , AND WOULD OF NEVER EVEN KNOWN THEY EXISTED IF IT WASN'T FOR GIO !!!!!! HARRY IS GONNA REGRET LETTING HIM GO !!!!(IF HE DOES) I JUST HOPE GIOVANI DOESN'T LISTEN TO ALL THE SHIT HARRY'S SAID TO HIM HARD !!!!!!
He had a good run vs Man Utd.
Hopefully we see more of him.
How do you come to the conclusion that Redknapp is racist???????
He is the only manager I've ever known to only sign black players, at least 90% black anyway.
Portsmouth was predominantly a black team and so will spurs become if he survives the season and overhauls the team.
WHEN HARRY OVERAULS THE TEAM AFRICAN,FRENCH MAYBE SOUTH AMERICAN PLAYERS WILL COME IN BUT THEY WILL BE PHYSICAL PLAYERS.DONT BE STUPID MATE HE CANT AFFORD TO BE RACIST IN THE EPL.THIS IS COMING FROM A BLACK DUDE
HE HAS DOUBTS OVER PLAYIN GIO ONLY BECAUSE OF THE POSTION THEY ARE IN THE LEAGUE ITS A DOGFIGHT NO PRETTY FOOTBALL IS NEEDED. HE THOUGHT GIO WAS NOT MATCH FIT AND STRONG ENOUGH ,BUT HES GOT TO TAKE ANY CHANCE PROVE HIMSELF WITH BOTH HANDS FORGET REP TAARABT WHO IS A SAME TYPE OF YOUNG EXCITING PLAYER IS IN THE SAME SITUATION. IF THEY BOTH STAY RS WILL E DANGEROUSBEVENTUALLY THEY WILL RUN THE SHOW. AND SPU
I MEAN IF BOTH STAY THEY WILL BOTH END UP RUNNING THE SHOW.IF THEY ARE PATIENT AND KEEP WORKING HARRYS A GOOD MANAGER EVEN THOUGH HE SEEMS GRUMPY AND CRAZY.
hes racist because gio isnt black. hes mexican. i would know. im mexican
gio isnt mexican dummy
He was born in Mexico and plays for Mexico.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
GIO is part black, being Mexican is a nationality not a race. His father is black Brazilian and his mother is mexican, I’m not sure what you would call that.
I DONT CARE!!!! I STILL THINK HE’S DA BEST!!!!!