Thursday 24 October 2013

Adebayor's miracle mystery tour

Emmanuel Adebayor was once the miracle worker of football but ahead of his expected comeback tonight he has become Tottenham's man of mystery.

The striker once told the Daily Telegraph that he was unable to walk as a child - until the sight of a football rolling past a church door got him to his feet and he never looked back.

Whether or not you believe the story, it's impossible to deny that football seems to be watching over him.

Adebayor has survived crossing the North London divide and numerous fan revolts as his popularity dived at both Arsenal and Manchester City.

He also endured the altogether more sobering gun attack on the Togo tour bus at the 2010 African Nations Cup, an ordeal in which a good friend was killed and the Spurs man was forced into temporary international retirement.

The enigmatic forward has not yet been seen by fans this season after AVB made him train with the development squad on his September return from compassionate leave following the devastating news of his brother's death.

Many fans feel Adebayor is a one-season wonder wherever he goes - arriving in a blaze of goals and glory only to get bored quickly and angle for another move.

The past summer brought intense rumours he was on his way out but the man himself says he had no intention of leaving Spurs and is determined to get his career back on track this season.

He said: “I decided with my manager, even before the start of the transfer window, that I would not leave Tottenham and that’s what I did. I have never thought of leaving Spurs."

At the back end of last season, Manu was starting to hit form and, on his day, opposing defenders find him unplayable. 

In May's 2-2 draw at Chelsea he was back to his best - holding up play, protecting the ball, tracking back and scoring a terrific long range effort.

Andros Townsend and certain other star performers were left in London for tonight's visit to FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, so Adebayor will be in no doubt that the fact he was on the plane reflects badly on his position in the squad.

Should he feature, it will be the first step of a journey back to the first team that seems longer than ever. 

And with Roberto Soldado, Jermain Defoe, Eric Lamela and Christian Eriksen giving Spurs a wealth of attacking riches, it looks like Adebayor needs another miracle if he is to again come out on top.

Still, given what he has come through so far, you would be brave to bet against him.

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