Adam Smith, a now former Spurs right back, joined Championship side Bournemouth in the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee. He is 22 and is currently in the England under-21 squad. It is assumed Spurs have sold Smith on the basis that he is not getting enough playing time to properly improve his game. The problem with him leaving is that he had, and still has, the potential to be a first team right back for Spurs. He is at a young age and has proven numerous times he’s better than the Championship after 7 very successful loans to lower league clubs. He would have stiff competition, however, he is more than capable of getting in games for Spurs.
One competitor for the right back spot is Kyle Naughton. He is now 25 and looks unlikely to improve his game. Naughton is a decent back-up player at best, and a young player like Smith definitely has the capability to take over him in the race for first team football. If Smith had stayed he would have had to knock Kyle Walker out of the starting XI. Walker is an England international who is also a young, exciting attacking full back but has not mastered his job description; to defend. There have been countless times where Kyle Walker has been ball-watching or out of position which have cost Tottenham points – important ones. But he is just 23 and has time to improve.
Smith should not have been sent out on loan or been sold, but instead should have been given the number 2 role as back-up. He could have played the Europa League games and most Capital One Cup games to prove his worth, and if he impressed perhaps even a few FA Cup games. This would have been a win-win situation as Smith is getting some game time with the club and Kyle Walker is given a rest to ensure he stays fit.
An extremely important reason why Spurs fans were far from pleased with this transaction is that Adam Smith was one of the rarities of quality players who have come up through Spurs youth squads. He joins Steven Caulker (now at Cardiff), Ledley King, Sol Campbell, Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore in a select group to have come through the system; these are the types of players that fans attach themselves to. Letting him go, as well as Steven Caulker, were considered disappointing as both have proven they have very promising futures.
Adam Smith looks set to become a successful footballer. He chose to leave to fulfill his ambitions of playing regularly, which would help him gain possible interest from Premier League clubs. His international career is not over yet, though his time with the under-21 squad, for which he has 11 caps, is all but finished. The potential is there. He will be a regular with Bournemouth and will have another opportunity at the Championship level to showcase his real ability.
Spurs fans know what the North London club doesn’t: Tottenham Hotspur have let one slip away again.
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