Tottenham’s idyllic begin to life beneath new boss Ange Postecoglou has taken a slight flip for the more serious in current days with Spurs now discovering themselves within the midst of an damage disaster.
In the course of the Lilywhites’ 4-1 defeat to Chelsea final Monday, summer time signings James Maddison and Micky van de Ven each hobbled off injured, whereas Future Udogie and Cristian Romero can even miss video games after receiving pink playing cards.
These absentees add their title to a rising listing. Richarlison has introduced he’ll bear surgical procedure, whereas the likes of Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon are all out for important durations too.
Travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, Postecoglou is brief on defensive choices, particularly centrally. With Ben Davies having solely lately recovered from damage and Eric Dier not fully trusted, Spurs discover themselves mild when their first-choice central defenders are lacking.
So, with Tottenham set to prioritise a centre-back signing this winter, who might they aim?
The narrative of final summer time’s transfer window was that Tottenham had been curious about two senior centre-back choices: Van de Ven and Edmond Tapsoba. Spurs determined to signal Wolfsburg’s Dutch defender, a call that appears extremely sensible given his preliminary performances in a white shirt.
Nonetheless, given Tottenham clearly held a robust curiosity in Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba, they may revive their pursuit of the Burkina Faso worldwide in January. Whether or not the 24-year-old would wish to depart Xabi Alonso’s facet in the course of a marketing campaign wherein they’re performing so effectively is unknown, however the attract of the Premier League might show too tempting.
Postecoglou is well-known for wanting centre-backs with tempo and the technical high quality to play out from the again. Tapsoba definitely has these attributes, even when he stays somewhat erratic at occasions.
The Leverkusen defender would probably price a small fortune to convey to north London which might dissuade Postecoglou from making the transfer given Tapsoba may not be first alternative when all centre-back choices are match.
One other man who Spurs in the course of the summer time was Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly, with Tottenham even seeing a £20m bid rejected for the 25-year-old on deadline day. Nonetheless, it is believed that the Lilywhites stay eager on bringing the Cherries defender to north London and will renew their curiosity in January.
A left-footed central defender additionally comfy at left-back, Kelly might present a direct substitute for Van de Ven when required, and even Udogie.
Nonetheless, Spurs should fend off Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Liverpool, each of whom have expressed their want to recruit Kelly, in addition to Italian outfit AC Milan.
Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio has been closely linked with a transfer to the Premier League in current switch home windows, with Liverpool and Manchester United the 2 English sides touted with important curiosity within the Portuguese.
Whereas Spurs do not seem within the race for the 22-year-old, they may do loads worse than flip their consideration to Inacio. Somebody additionally able to filling in for Van de Ven and even competing for a beginning berth with the Dutchman, the younger defender could be an costly however efficient possibility for Postecoglou.
A proficient English defender already acquainted with life in London after his time at Chelsea, Fikayo Tomori is more likely to emerge as a switch goal for a Premier League facet sooner moderately than later after frequently spectacular performances in Milan.
The 25-year-old is famend for his velocity, ticking one in all Postecoglou’s bins, and likewise has Premier League and Champions League expertise. Tomori is adept at enjoying out from the again as effectively, making him a participant completely able to becoming into this present Tottenham crew.
A considerably forgotten title at Goodison Park, Everton’s Ben Godfrey could materialise as an option for Tottenham within the January window. The 25-year-old has barely stepped foot on the pitch for the Toffees this time period after underwhelming Sean Dyche, however Spurs might prosper.
Each Tottenham and Newcastle are long-term admirers of the English centre-back and will benefit from Everton‘s willingness to take heed to provides.
Godfrey has showcased his versatility throughout the backline since becoming a member of Everton and such flexibility might tempt Postecoglou amid his present damage woes.
