Tottenham check on Chiesa fitness

13 April 2012

Tottenham were today studying the medical records of Enrico Chiesa.

The Italian international, who is on a free transfer from bankrupt Fiorentina, is one of manager Glenn Hoddle's targets.

While talks with Real Madrid over £15 million target Fernando Morientes continued yesterday, Spurs were trying to ascertain the full extent of the knee ligament damage which forced Chiesa to miss the whole of last season and the World Cup before deciding whether to open negotiations with the player.

The 31-year-old former Sampdoria and Parma striker suffered the injury against Venezia and underwent surgery in Antwerp last year.

He has returned to full fitness but Spurs are concerned that they would be taking a gamble on a player who has yet to prove he can play a full season and they may consider a pay-asyouplay offer.

Chiesa was top scorer in Serie A before his injury and had finished as Italy's leading marksman the previous season.

He believes he can play on for another five years and said: "I'm confident I will play until I'm 36."

Every Fiorentina player is available on a free transfer after the club were relegated to Serie C2, the Italian equivalent of England's Third Division, because of their financial problems.

Among those being released are Portuguese striker Nuno Gomez and former Real Madrid star Predrag Mijatovic.

Hoddle, meanwhile, is backing midfielder Milenko Acimovic to become a hit at White Hart Lane.

The Slovenian international has been impressive in Tottenham's build-up to the Premiership season and was given an ovation when he was substituted against Celtic on Wednesday night.

Acimovic, a free transfer from Red Star Belgrade, has already shown he has the credentials to meet the high standards of the Premiership and will get another chance to show the Spurs fans what he is capable of when Hoddle's side face Lazio at White Hart Lane on Sunday.