‘I wished’ – Midfielder opens up on his failed Tottenham stint back in 2013
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Lewis Holtby, has opened up on his unsuccessful spell in North London almost ten years after he moved to Spurs.
Holtby arrived in January 2013 from Schlake as a bright spark in German football, having already worn the captain’s armband for Germany’s U21 side. However, he failed to even break into the Tottenham XI in any consistent manner.
The midfielder made a total of 42 appearances in Lilywhite colours, scoring three and assisting eight (TransferMarkt). However, he is arguably best remembered for his tackle on Howard Webb in Ledley King’s testimonial.
After a loan spell away at Fulham, Holtby eventually moved back to Germany with Hamburg before returning to the English game with Blackburn Rovers in 2019. The midfield man currently plies his trade with Holstein Kiel in Bundesliga 2.
When asked about his move to Spurs, Holtby admitted the transfer likely came too early in his career, labelling Tottenham as a ‘massive club’. However, it appears he at least enjoyed his time there.
He said (The Athletic): “Tottenham are a massive club. I felt the energy there and I think the fans felt my energy.
“I wished I was a different age or had a different mindset at that time. Because I was maybe too naive and inexperienced in that period.”
He added: “I should have been more patient. I had top-class midfielders around me, so game time was always spread (around). But I had the wrong thinking. I always thought I should play or start every game.
“Sometimes it’s about patience, learning from others, getting game-time and then learning. The player with the best mindset right now is Jude Bellingham. He’s 19 but he thinks like a 32-year-old. He’s got it all.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
I always liked what Holtby brought to the pitch. You could tell he loved his football and was willing to work hard for the team. Sometimes, coming into a big side at a young age, the pathway is just too inconsistent and complicated to hit the ground running.
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