3 Viable Destinations Should Tottenham Sell Andros Townsend in January

The trouble with frustration is it can quickly boil over and become something much worse. Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend has experienced that in a very public fashion over the last couple of weeks.

Not doing enough to warrant more playing time in head coach Mauricio Pochettino's eyes, Townsend appeared to vent said frustration in a warm-down following the 3-1 win over Aston Villa. An unused substitute, the player's argument with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner has led to him being dropped from the first-team squad altogether—as Pochettino confirmed last week, via Sky Sports.

The following are three viable destinations Townsend could be offloaded to in January if his relationship with Tottenham proves irrevocably damaged. Even with his recent difficulties in north London, the England international would attract suitors in need of some new attacking impetus.

While some believe Townsend's days at Spurs are numbered (see above), it should be noted Pochettino has not shut the door on him just yet.

In the aforementioned press conference, the Argentinian said:

"

All players have a future. It's up to them to have a future here. Football can change quickly.

He is in our squad because we believe in him and believe he can do very good things, but it's up to the player to show me I am wrong with my previous decisions.

"

It is indeed up to Townsend to show he is willing to be patient in this process. To make more of his opportunities than he has in largely uninspired recent appearances. Pochettino will not be in a hurry to offload one of his only natural wide players if he again shows the right attitude.

If Townsend is not up for this challenge, the search for regular football is likely to necessitate him accepting a downgrade in circumstances.

Sunderland

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Townsend's best contribution so far this season was his half-hour off the bench away at Sunderland. Unlike in some of his subsequent appearances, the 24-year-old played smart and simply.

Moving between targeting left-back Patrick van Aanholt and attacking central areas, he crossed well and linked up incisively with his team-mates. Though not involved in Ryan Mason's eventual winner, the substitute helped Spurs create the momentum that built up to it.

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Sunderland have changed managers since they were reportedly—per Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard—one of the Premier League clubs interested in Townsend this summer. Sam Allardyce's priority in the transfer market will be establishing a defensive solidity his predecessor Dick Advocaat was unable to.

Given the despondency that is, and may still be, lingering around the 19th-placed Wearside club come January, Allardyce could try to introduce a feel-good factor with a more exciting signing. An England international with something to prove and the potential to be an explosive performer could be what he has in mind.

With Adam Johnson and Jeremain Lens already there (not to mention Spurs' versatile on-loan full-back DeAndre Yedlin), Sunderland are not short on wide men.

Having likely been kept on the club's radar by his strong showing at the Stadium of Light in September, Townsend is someone they could take a look at (in a similar need of a boost in their attacking department, fellow north-east club Newcastle United could also be interested).

Swansea City

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Of the links to emerge in the wake of Townsend's current disciplinary issue, Tom Hopkinson's mention of Swansea City in the Sunday People was particularly intriguing.

Like Sunderland, the Swans already have some good options on the flanks.

On his day, Jefferson Montero is one of the Premier League's most dangerous wingers (he gave Spurs a tough 45 minutes last month), while Wayne Routledge has proved himself a reliable performer in Wales. Summer signing Andre Ayew can be a big handful charging in off the wing.

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With no win since August, though, manager Garry Monk will be looking for some fresh ideas on how to reinvigorate his team.

Since Nathan Dyer's departure to Leicester City, Swansea have perhaps lacked an attacker who combines both directness and urgency. Townsend has shown they are not always virtues.

In his last appearance for Spurs at Anderlecht, he played too linearly, rushing to shoot from long range and running at defenders when better judgement was required to unlock the Belgians.

Monk may fancy his ability to find the Townsend whose directness is capable of creating moments like the stunning solo goal he scored against Swansea last March, rather than the one who stubbornly and unimaginatively insists on running into brick walls.

West Bromwich Albion

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West Bromwich Albion are another of the clubs being linked with a move for Townsend. In addition to the earlier-mentioned Sunday People story, Paul Suart of the Birmingham Mail has mentioned him as one of 10 players Baggies boss Tony Pulis could target in January.

It is all tentative stuff at this stage, but there are a few things on the side of West Brom being a possible destination for the Spurs right-midfielder.

Pulis is still in the process of figuring out how to get more out of an attack whose 10 goals scored this season is tied for the least by a Premier League club (Stoke City and Aston Villa are the others).

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Salomon Rondon's two goals in his last three matches is an encouraging sign the striker is beginning to click. Saido Berahino remains a notable scoring threat, too.

Talented as the likes of supporting men James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon are, West Brom could still do with improving their supply line to their front men. The speed and daring of Townsend could help here, with the commanding Pulis perhaps the coach who will be able to sufficiently regiment his offerings.

Of course, there is also the possibility of Spurs once again registering their interest in Berahino.

We will not dally too long on a transfer saga that proved one of the past summer's most tiresome. But if Townsend does become surplus to requirements at Spurs, it would not be a surprise to see them offer him as a makeweight in a deal for Berahino.

Whether it gets short shrift or not could depend on how well the striker does in the next couple of months.