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Barring torn muscles, pulled hamstrings or a whole host of other potential and not entirely unlikely setbacks, Ledley King is set to make his long awaited return to first team action for Spurs. The first leg of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid has been tentatively pencilled in as the game in which our best defender will at last make some contribution to the cause, and if Ledley is fit his presence could make all the difference.
King is a class above anyone else we have had at the back all season; Gallas, Dawson and the similarly returning Kaboul have all done well but any one of them could make way. King’s heroics in the closing stages of last season, particularly against Manchester City, were crucial in Spurs’ qualification for the Champions League and it is to be hoped that his abilities and the calming effect his presence in the team has on the back four can work similar wonders once again.
It has to be speculated however whether this season will be the big defender’s last at the club. While he is undoubtedly a top class, even world class player his inability to train has finally started to have the effects on his body which have been long predicted. It has been little short of miraculous in recent seasons how he has managed to play regularly at the weekend having not trained at all during the week, but that now appears to be catching up with him.
Ledley himself must be wondering how long he can go on. He has virtually no cartilage left in his knee meaning the bones grind against each other and the long term consequences could be catastrophic. Arthritis must be a certainty for him in later years but unless he seriously considers calling it a day at the end of this season the guy could be a virtual cripple in his 40’s. He has stated that he will play as long as he possibly can and undoubtedly wants another contract, but that’s easy to say now.
Quite apart from his own concerns for his future well being of course, the club must decide whether King is worth any kind of contract. The pay as you play deal has been mentioned but realistically it may be wise for Tottenham to let him go. I can’t see him passing any kind of medical at another club and so early retirement could be the only option.
King has been a superb servent to the club and it is a tragedy in footballing terms that his potential was never fully realised because of his injuries, but I would rather not see him as some tragic figure hobbling around in years to come. He doesn’t deserve that but although he’s obviously going to have problems anyway, quitting at the end of this season would at least not add to them.
At the moment though he can still play a hell of a game when fit, and I’d love to see him lead us to glory against Madrid or, even better, in the Premiership against Manchester City once again if that should turn out to be a deciding game as it was last season. Ledley deserves to go out on a high.
COYS!
You can follow me on Twitter @ RobertReedUK
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Category: Blogroll, Champions League, Players, Premier League
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