Nabil Bentaleb’s Struggles for First-Team Football at Spurs and His World Cup Hopes
The situation surrounding Nabil Bentaleb’s current lack of first-team appearances at Tottenham Hotspur has raised eyebrows, particularly within the Algerian football community, as the 21-year-old midfielder remains a key figure for the Fennec Foxes ahead of the 2014 World Cup. Despite his rising profile, Spurs manager Tim Sherwood has offered some insight into why Bentaleb has not been a regular starter in recent weeks.
Sherwood explained that his decision to limit the young midfielder’s playing time is a measure of protection rather than punishment. “I try to keep him out of the spotlight to protect him from burnout,” Sherwood said. He emphasized the importance of managing young talent carefully to avoid overexposure too early in their careers, especially in high-pressure leagues like the Premier League. Sherwood pointed to Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United, who has also seen limited action in recent months, as an example of how some young players can benefit from not being thrust into the limelight too soon.
Bentaleb, who impressed in his early appearances under former Spurs boss André Villas-Boas, is evidently frustrated by his reduced role, but Sherwood assures that it’s all part of a carefully considered strategy. “He’s not happy not to play but it’s to protect him,” the coach added. “Sometimes a young player cannot enter the first team and play all the time. There is a know-how to find the right moment to launch them and the moment to relaunch them.”
Despite his limited game time at the club level, Bentaleb’s talent is undeniable, and his presence in the Algerian national team has been a focal point for coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who has to weigh whether the midfielder’s current lack of play will impact his chances of making Algeria’s squad for the 2014 World Cup.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Halilhodzic may have to make a tough call on whether Bentaleb’s potential outweighs his lack of recent match fitness. The manager will need to decide whether the midfielder’s experience and technical ability are enough to merit a place in Algeria’s squad, despite his reduced playing time at Spurs.
As Bentaleb continues to push for more first-team action, it remains to be seen if Sherwood’s protective approach will ultimately benefit the young star’s future, both with Tottenham and Algeria, especially on the world stage.
