Former Spurs stars Darren Bent and Peter Crouch have sung the praises of their former Tottenham teammate.
Tottenham Hotspur has been home to a number of footballing greats over the years.
So when it comes to creating an all-time Spurs XI, who would be your first pick? Jimmy Greaves? Harry Kane? or even Gareth Bale?
There is however one pick that undoubtedly remains the same for all Spurs supporters and that is in the centre-half position.
Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Gary Mabutt are all worthy shouts but none of them can live up to the excellence and stature of the one and only Ledley King.
Nicknamed Mr.Tottenham, King came through the Lilywhites academy and went on to make 323 appearances over a 13-year spell at the club.
Despite his injury issues, King was a key cog in the Spurs machine for a number of years – striking up a strong partnership with Michael Dawson in the heart of the Tottenham backline.
King was made club captain in 2005 by then-Spurs boss Martin Jol and would go on to famously lift the Carling Cup for Spurs in 2008.
Injuries however would soon become too much for the former England international and King would eventually hang up his boots in 2012 – returning to the club in 2020 as an assistant coach alongside Jose Mourinho.
Darren Bent praises Spurs legend
Arriving from relegated Charlton Athletic, Bent joined the Lilywhites in the summer of 2007.
The striker would go on to spend two seasons at White Hart Lane but would ultimately fail to nail down the striker slot, eventually joining Sunderland in 2009 in search of regular first-team football.
During his time in North London though, Bent had the pleasure of playing alongside Ledly King and Bent has since sung the praises of his former team-mate.
Now a presenter on TalkSport’s drive-time show, Bent told listeners in 2023 what it was like to play with the Tottenham legend.
Presenting alongside co-host Andy Goldstein, Bent was asked by Goldstein whether King was as great as everyone says and the former Spurs striker responded by saying:
“I promise you, he was unbelievable and he never even trained,
“His knees were bad but when he played he was unbelievable”
Bent was then asked to compare King with fellow centre-back Rio Ferdinand and he said:
“He is up there challenging Rio, he was that good,
“He was quick strong and could play with both feet. Because his right knee was bad and he was right-footed, he ended up training himself to play with his left foot.”
- READ MORE: Tottenham’s ‘worrying’ injury record examined as Postecoglou looks to avoid crisis next season
What did Peter Crouch say about Ledley King?
A fan favourite during his time at White Hart Lane, Peter Crouch came through the Spurs youth ranks alongside King – Crouch, however, would have to leave Tottenham in 2000 in search of first-team minutes.
He would however eventually return to Spurs in 2009, linking back up with childhood mate King.
Speaking on the popular ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ in 2022, Crouch spoke very highly of his former teammate and opened up about the relationship the pair forged while at Spurs.
“Ledley was one of the best centre halves I ever played with and I think lots of people will tell you that.
“I grew up with Led, we were in the same youth team at Tottenham. I went all around the houses and when I came back Ledley was still in the exact same position I left him, he stayed at Tottenham his whole life.
“When I finally got back and made it in the first team, which was special to me because me and Led played with each other all the way up from under 14 to under 19 level.
“When we used to play 5-a-side Ledley was the best player by far every single day, the most technically gifted big centre-half you will probably ever see.”
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