Jenas confident on improving with Luka move looming

Last updated : 15 June 2008 By Gareth Davies
Jermaine Jenas has hailed last season as his best ever for the club and the midfielder is determined to carry on improving when the new season kicks-off in August.

Fans certainly saw Jenas produce some good performances during a campaign in which he grabbed six goals and six assists but most would agree there is still room for an improvement in his game.

Jenas said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the season. It was my best here so far, definitely."

Jermaine joined the club at the beginning of the 2005-06 season and has endured criticism ever since for struggling to impose himself, especially in matches against the best sides in the country.

He has, however, certainly been one of the main beneficiaries of the arrival of Juande Ramos. During Jol's time at the club Jenas was one of the Dutchman's favourite players and was seemingly undroppable. This led to complacency and his game suffered. Under Ramos, no one was safe and suddenly Jenas began to play with more urgency and authority. Coincidence? Probably not.

Against Chelsea and Arsenal in this year's Carling Cup run we saw the best of Jermaine. In those three matches he harassed and harangued his more illustrious opponents and grabbed two well deserved goals. His performance in the 5-1 drubbing of Arsenal was, perhaps, the club's best individual display of the season.

However, has he done enough to impress Ramos?

With England out of Euro 2008 Jenas has had to content himself with watching from the tournament on the television and he will be forgiven for casting a nervous glance in the direction of new signing Luka Modric.

Having strengthened the midfield with two new recruits Ramos clearly wasn't happy with his sides lack of creativity and in Modric Ramos has purchased a player who can do Jenas' job - and more.

Judging on his performances for Croatia the former Dinamo player is more than just an attacking midfielder. He offers box to box dynamism, an eye for a pass and in unafraid of getting stuck in, all of which are elements of Jenas' game that can go awry from time to time.

With that in mind, it seems a little more than a coincidence that Jenas has decided to highlight his own contribution to the side.

"On a personal note, yes, I think I had a good season and I want more of the same, to keep playing well for Tottenham. I want to improve and become an even better player here," he told the club's official website.

It would be unfair to suggest Jenas has no future at the club. In fact he is one of the few players who can be confident that he is a safe from the coming exodus of players from White Hart Lane. His place in the first team, however, is less assured. Fans will hope that this uncertainly will get the best out of a player who needs to start turning his undoubted potential into lauded ability.