Which Midfielder Should Tottenham Sign?
Thiago Motta (32) – PSG
What he’s done recently
Thiago Motta has done it all at the club level with three different clubs.
After spending the majority of his career with Barcelona (2001-2007) he would move to Atlético Madrid for a year (2008) then switch to Genoa afterwards (2009). Following the end of his stay with Genoa, Motta transferred to Inter Milan for three seasons (2009-2012) before moving to PSG for the last three years (2012-present).
To sum up the amount of championships the Italian won, here are the numbers.
- Barcelona (5)
- UEFA Champions League: 2005-06
- La Liga (2): 2004-05, 2005-06
- Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
- Inter Milan (6)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
- UEFA Champions League: 2009-10
- Serie A: 2009-10
- Coppa Italia (2): 2009-10, 2010-11
- Supercoppa Italia: 2010
- PSG (8)
- Ligue 1 (3): 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15
- Coupe de France: 2014-15
- Coupe de la Ligue (2): 2013-14, 2014-15
- Trophée des Champions (2): 2013, 2014
Thiago Motta has enough experience that rivals James McCarthy except he hasn’t played in the Premier League before. There’s a possibility that he makes the switch to England but until then he’s still with PSG.
How would he fit with Tottenham
Being 32-years-old should rule him off of Tottenham’s radar. With the thought that he may prevent younger players from playing in the first team experience is something that every club needs — regardless of a player’s age.
If it wasn’t obvious with the amount of championships that Motta won with three different clubs in three different leagues, it means that he’s able to adapt to a new living situation and different environment.
After already playing in three top European leagues, there’s only three more left (Bundesliga, Premier League and Eredivisie). It would be fine to assume that Motta could win another championship at a different league with another club.
Should he join Tottenham he would bring plenty of experience, but also a championship mentality that the club needs when they’re in cup competitions, Europa League and even the Premier League.
For Ryan Mason he would get relegated to the bench if Thiago Motta is signed. This signing would move Nabil Bentaleb to central mid and have him push up the pitch more which might suit him than Mason.
Can Tottenham afford him
Due to his age, it’s doubtful that PSG will get enough money back by selling him. His current value per Transfermarkt is €5 million (£3.5m) which is too low for someone who’s won 19 total championships. It’s more likely that Thiago Motta is worth anywhere from £5m-10 million.
Recently, he’s said that he would be open to leaving PSG before his contract runs out via ESPN FC. Even though he wasn’t able to start as many games last year due to fitness issues, Tottenham could still use a player like Thiago Motta for cup competitions, Europa League or as a teacher to the younger players.
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