Emmanuel Adebayor
Reuters

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has reportedly held talks with manager Andre Villas-Boas over his future at White Hart Lane. The Daily Mail reports the player spoke to AVB because of a lack of first team football.

The BBC reported the 28-year-old Togo international signed for Spurs for £5m, from champions Manchester City, after spending last season on loan with the London club. Adebayor, who has also played for Spurs' arch-rivals Arsenal, was the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between City and Tottenham, after protracted negotiations over an acceptable transfer fee and wage package.

In the 2011/12 season, while on loan with Spurs, Adebayor established himself as the undisputed first choice to lead the attacking line, scoring 18 goals in all competitions and creating 12 more in the league. The initial problem with signing him on a permanent deal was his unwillingness to accept too large a cut in his salary and, as it turned out, the transfer only went through after the Etihad club promised to subsidise his wages; the Togolese was earning £175,000 per week in Manchester and now earns about £80,000 per week, according to the BBC report.

Unfortunately, after the transfer dust settled, Adebayor found himself unable to dislodge England international Jermain Defoe from the starting line-up. This is particularly the case since AVB seems to prefer a faster and more mobile forward to lead the line, compared to the direct and physical style of Adebayor. Defoe has four goals in nine appearances for Spurs this season, while Adebayor has made only three substitute appearances in the league and has yet to score.

Nevertheless, the Daily Mail report indicates AVB has assured Adebayor he remains an integral part of his plans. The striker was on a specially designed fitness regimen but a minor hamstring injury before the club's UEFA Europa League group stage game against Italian club Lazio pushed his recovery schedule back slightly.

Tottenham prepare to welcome league leaders and reigning European champions Chelsea to White Hart Lane on Saturday (20 October). Spurs have recovered superbly after losing on the opening day (1-2 at Newcastle) and have 14 points from seven games. Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a flying start to the season, winning six of seven games and drawing the seventh. The game will also be the first time AVB has faced Chelsea since his dismissal from Stamford Bridge late last season.

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