Fernando Llorenete – former Athletic Bilbao man and Spain international who now plies his trade in Serie A with Juventus – is a name many of the wider footballing community may have already long forgotten.
He was once one of the up and coming exciting stars of Spanish football who seemingly had a bright future ahead of him, but since making that all important move to Turin at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, life out on the pitch just hasn’t been all that straight forward for the towering no. 14.
At the not so peak age of 30-years-old these days, it seems the prime stages of Llorente’s career are quickly running out, and as the Spaniard is no longer considered a guaranteed first team starter under Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus, perhaps a move away from Italian football would suit the striker down to the ground in the approaching summer months.
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur have subsequently been linked to the former Bilbao man throughout the course of this season, but although the player in question was once a real star playing at the top of his game, would Fernando Llorente really represent a promising transfer target for Spurs in their attempts to improve on their fortunes next season?
The answer seemingly doesn’t arrive as quite a clear cut decision as initial appearances may suggest…
For those who remember the Spanish hitman in La Liga, the ex-San Mamés Stadium favourite certainly was capable of doing the business when he donned the red & white of Athletic Bilbao. Llorente plied his trade as an out-in-out centre-forward who had a bit of everything to his overall game.
The front-man proved capable of providing a clear goal threat in the final third, his range of passing and vision saw him link up with his teammates in some truly effective fashion – and with more than your average striker’s predictable bag of tricks up his sleeve – the current Juventus man could work the ball well with his feet, and also operate successfully in the air.
The supposed Tottenham target netted an impressive 17 goals throughout the 2011/12 La Liga campaign, but as such fine form seemingly hasn’t been replicated by the no. 14 since making the switch to Juventus, Llorente no longer commands the would-be superstar status that he once flirted with just a few seasons ago.
In light of such a notion, would the 30-year-old really be a hit down at White Hart Lane should Spurs follow up on their reported interest in the striker this summer?
The former Spain international hasn’t experienced nearly as much game time at Juve as he did for Bilbao, the likes of Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata have more than outshone their striking colleague so far this season – and as the fast pace of the Premier League will likely provide even more of a test than his time in Serie A has so far produced – the warning signs seem very clear in this particular transfer deal.
After all, Tottenham certainly have a reputation of landing big name foreign stars and failing to see them make an impact in very public circumstances. The word ‘backfire’ can’t help but come to mind after the many millions spent on both Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado in recent seasons.
Having made such a statement however, perhaps the prospect of signing Fernando Llorente could in fact offer Mauricio Pochettino something valuable next term.
Despite having Harry Kane to fall back on throughout the 2015/16 campaign, Spurs simply can’t rely solely upon the exploits of their emerging 21-year-old – regardless of how well the Englishman has performed this season. The young striker won’t have the luxury of playing with the surprise factor on his side next term – and as both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado seem somewhat incapable of doing this business for their side with all things considered – some striking back-up will have to be called upon if Tottenham want to truly push on next year.
The potential deal bringing Fernando Llorente to North London this summer therefore sees its success hanging on one factor and one factor only – money. If the Spaniard was to cost in the region of £10-£15 million at the end of the season, perhaps the chance to resurrect his career in the Premier League could maybe see Llorente return to his best form.
Yet at the wrong side of 30, such a venture would nevertheless come as another big gamble for Tottenham Hotspur as they go about their business in the run up to the 2015/16 season.
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