Tottenham defender Ledley King has praised the side’s summer signings, and feels that it could be a momentous year for the North London club.
The former England international’s comments come ahead of the clash with Aston Villa on Monday night, where Harry Redknapp’s men will look to make it eight wins out of their last nine Premier League games.
King feels that the team’s success is partly down to the new faces at White Hart Lane, who have all impressed since arriving in the summer.
“Brad [Friedel]’s experience has been invaluable, he’s a calming influence,” King told The Telegraph.
“Scott Parker’s been amazing. The other day, I was joking with the fitness coach as my [running] stats have gone down 40 per cent in some games.
“I was saying it’s down to Scott! He was coming off the pitch feeling knackered and I was feeling fine!
“Scotty protects the back-four brilliantly. Players like David Silva or Robin van Persie play in that horrible position between defence and midfield, getting in the holes, and that’s always tricky for a defender.
“But if I can just hold him up for a second or two, Scott’s always coming back to make a challenge before you get drawn too far out of position. Some players aren’t sprinting back. Scott is.
“Scotty’s also very good in the dressing-room. He’s quite a quiet lad but when he talks, people listen,” he stated.
Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Tottenham on a season-long loan deal, and has also impressed King.
“Coming from Man City, maybe people would have thought he’d have a chip on his shoulder or been down in the dumps, but from day one Manu’s been bubbly.
“Every day in training, he comes to work hard. He’s brought a liveliness that has rubbed off on players,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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