Two senior Tottenham players exiled to youth team as transfers loom

If it ever wasn't clear that Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor are no longer in Tottenham Hotspur's future plans, it should be now. Matt Law at the Telegraph writes that the pair, on the fringes of the squad since soon after Mauricio Pochettino's appointment, have been training with the youth squad instead of the senior team.

Aaron Lennon has been heavily linked to Everton, where he spent the second half of last season on loan. Likewsie, Emmanuel Adebayor looks very likely to reunite with old manager Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal.

While it seems harsh, banishing the pair from training with the first team probably makes sense. If it has been made clear that neither will be playing first team football at Tottenham Hotspur next season regardless of their sale, then it wouldn't make any sense for them to take training opportunities away from other players who might have a shot to earn a squad number.

I know I'd rather see youth players like Shaquile Coulthirst or Nathan Oduwa get their shot with the first team than give those minutes to players who will not contribute to the team no matter what happens. Kind of sucks for Lennon and Ade, though.