Zokora not content to sit on bench

[costa_9_2]

Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora admits his future at the club is in doubt as he wants regular first-team football ahead of next year's World Cup.
Zokora, who was linked with Real Madrid in the January transfer window, has fallen behind Wilson Palacios and Jermaine Jenas in the Spurs pecking order and fears losing his place in the Ivory Coast team.
The 28-year-old has started only two Barclays Premier League games since Palacios' arrival, both in an unfamiliar right-back role, and may have to move to keep himself in contention for his country.
"If I can't play regularly then I shall be looking to," Zokora told Ivory Coast newspaper Super Sport. "All my career I have been first choice and Harry (Redknapp, Spurs manager) likes me, but he also has good players but I need to play.
"The World Cup is in June 2010 and I can't sit on the bench if I want to be in the Ivorian squad.
"I am working hard to impress and get back in the team and I would like the season to finish on a high - but it is hard for me after being dropped."
Meanwhile, Spurs have announced a pre-season fixture to face South China at the Hong Kong National Stadium on August 2.
Executive director Paul Barber said: "The Premier League is watched by millions throughout Asia and so we feel it is important to give these supporters the opportunity to come and watch games involving Premier League clubs for themselves.
"We have always enjoyed huge support worldwide and it is a sign of our tradition and success that we can now look to expand our appeal in markets such as Asia."
There is still hope of Spurs going into their pre-season with European football to look forward to, despite their defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.
"Seventh spot is definitely still there," said Jenas.

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[BetfairGuy]

Not bad news at all in my mind. Never been top class and at 28, this is about the right time to sell Zokora if we're going to get a half-decent fee for him.

[Eighteen82]

I like Zokora, always puts in 100% although will never be a world class player. On his day he is really good, and has before marked the best players out of certain games, but then he never produces a consistent performance like Jenas. His heart has always been with the club and he seems to get on really well with the fans.
I'd feel bad if we sold him after he showed a lot of loyalty to us when it seemed he could of gone to R.Madrid. However, aslong as Palacios remains fit, I can't see him getting anywhere near the first team. I know we need strength in depth, but no-one will ever want to constantly sit on the bench whilst others nail down a position.

[P UNIT 1980]

If he went to Real he'd have been a ripsnorting success!!!

Love Zak and want him to score before he leaves and would love him to sit on the bench but i dont think he will be content with that.

Do go zak your a legend.

[bazzabelfast]

i dont see zokora staying on and to be honest i respect polacios,s style over zokoras .

polacios fights for the team , poliasios does not get pushed off the ball . the club needs a fighter

[GMAN]

HE CAN GO. <i undertsand how most guys are feeling - BUT I WANT RESULTS & top 4 next season - n to be honest he offers very little in order to achieve that objective>

I never want to look at a player WEARING OUR SHIRT during a game n I actually begin to think I maybe able to do better.

Why?...cos I never think that when I WATCH THE OTHER TOP 4 BAST*RDS..N I CERTAINLY DON'T WANA THINK THAT WHEN I WATCH MY TEAM...however, there have been times when I have just looked at Didi..n thought...y ain't i playing?!?!...n when you start thinking that...it's usually GAME OVER

[P UNIT 1980]

GMAN little bit of decorum please drop the caps and the inflammatory language!!!

Got an itchy banning finger ya see and don't want you to be the next victim

[stroud_jm]

I like Zok's attitude- the last thing you want to have as a manager is a team full of players who are happy sitting on the bench...hats off to him for trying to work his way back in the squad. I could see him as a squad player for us, but never as a regular, not with Wilson, or even Jenas. He's played right back too, but how RB's do we have now, like 5? On the other hand, maybe he should stick around- by the looks of things, Wilson will get sent off about every 5th game, so that should add up to a lot of playing time

[paul turner]

i would rather see jenas go than zakora he gives it a 100 per cent when his on the pitch jenas doesnt he shoulnt be on the bench

[Volundr]

i would rather see jenas go than zakora he gives it a 100 per cent when his on the pitch jenas doesnt he shoulnt be on the bench

agree 100%.

[Chivalry]

i would rather see jenas go than zakora he gives it a 100 per cent when his on the pitch jenas doesnt he shoulnt be on the bench

also agree. however the point bought up again and again is that somtimes his 100% isnt enough...his passing is somtimes amiss, he couldent hit a barn door from 5 yards away and when he loses his cool he makes silly mistakes which often cost us freekicks in dangerous areas.

jenas is another story. the guy has all the skill and potential to be a world beater but unfortunatly. he just isnt, hes far too inconsistant

[yido4life]

Unofrtunately, I can see Zokara leaving in the summer. I think he's mixed: sometimes he plays well, sometimes he has an off day. His runs arn't that great but I do feel he is very loyal. With Jenas & Palacios in midfield I don't see him playing a lot. It's a shame he has never scored a goal for us. But if he wants to play in the World Cup next year then of course first team football is the answer.

[Stuntman Mike]

You have to ask the question Palacios or Zokora as thats the position up for grabs and at the moment its Palacios every time.I understand his frustration but he has had 3 ys to establish this position as his own and has just not done it,it would be a shame to let him go as he provides good cover in many positions but if he wants to go then we have to respect his wishes and get as much as we can for him.

[1990Hotspur]

i wiould miss him....when he starts running and builds up momentum his runs are amazing!!!!

good servant and comes across as a great bloke...

[Yid04Life]

Agree with everything said. Nobody can question Zokora's commitment he gives it all when he is out there. But he just doesn't seem to run the midfield like palacios does. I have never seen a team pass the ball round Zokora because they are scared of him like I have seen with Wilson. Zokora's runs are ok, but usually they end up with him giving the ball away as he lacks the vision to put a killer pass in. And the less said of his shooting the better! However I will be sad to see him go because his attitude and work rate are second to none.