Tottenham Hotspur Links: Spurs’ Winks and Harrison Training with England’s Senior Squad
Here’s the latest Tottenham Hotspur Links for the day.
Today’s Tottenham Hotspur Links is very bare, but there’s still some news for everyone to read that is interesting enough. It includes two of Tottenham’s youth academy players, a statistical breakdown of how Spurs have improved this year compared to last season. And finally, there’s a small interest from Spurs with Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar. To the links below.
With today’s England and France international friendly being played at Wembley Stadium, Roy Hodgson’s squad would be training at Hotspur Way and Hodgson himself decided to allow both Harry Winks and Shayon Harrison to join them.
This is a big moment for both youth players by learning how to improve their football game on the pitch and how to deal with a new found super stardom should they break out as the next big thing in England football as well as around the world.
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At 19-years-old, Harry Winks is close to breaking out in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad but is seeing limited minutes because of other players ahead of him in the pecking order. Shayon Harrison, 18, has a couple more years before he gets his first team chance, but with his goal scoring ability, clubs will be interested in him very soon. How both players deal with lofty expectations at such a young age, will be interesting to watch. But England’s senior squad can help Spurs’ youth players keep a level head during their playing careers.
- Statistics show how Tottenham have improved this season
- [via Anything But Penalties]
It’s no surprise that Tottenham have greatly improved this season by using the good old-fashioned eye test. But for some people who would like to know exactly where Spurs got better at, here’s a statistical breakdown on some key categories (there’s five total in the link above).
Creating chances:
Shots — 13.9 (14/15) | 15.8 (15/16)
Shots on target — 4.5 (14/15) | 6.3 (15/16)
Goals — 1.53 (14/15) | 1.67 (15/16)
Improved defense:
Shots against — 12.9 (14/15) | 12.3 (15/16)
Goals against — 1.39 (14/15)| 0.83 (15/16)
The only stat that Spurs were a bit worse was holding onto the ball, therefore their possession statistic dipped a bit. But it shouldn’t be much of a worry if Tottenham can still win games by scoring more goals and conceding less.
There’s some slight interest in Khouma Babacar, a 22-year-old 6’3″ Senegal striker.
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As per usual with any striker that Tottenham are rumored to be interested in, Babacar represents an intriguing option if he decides to part ways with Fiorentina.
Which won’t happen any time soon as he recently agreed on a contract extension that will keep him with the Viola until 2019.
From afar, Khouma Babacar’s height alone, would make him a perfect target man at 6’3″ and his strengths will come into play at the Premier League.
Strengths:
- Powerful and accurate shot from distance
- Makes smart runs behind defenders
- Poacher’s instincts
- Willing to do gritty work
- Confidence
- First touch and close control
With strengths, comes weaknesses as well. These things Khouma Babacar must improve.
Weaknesses:
- Struggles to convert most his chances created
- Lapses in concentration
- Needs to work on maintaining possession of the ball
- Has to involve teammates into the game
- Makes unnecessary fouls
All of Khouma Babacar’s weaknesses are easily correctable over time on the training ground with coaches. Is a 22-year-old 6’3″ striker a good backup option to Harry Kane? If Tottenham can sign him, then sure. Babacar will add a different dimension to Spurs’ offense with a tall center-forward who can get good service from Tottenham’s creative players. The major drawback is his price which Fiorentina would want a lot back.
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Now even though the Senegalese striker will remain with Fiorentina until 2019, when Babacar hadn’t gotten to play for the first team yet, he thought about playing for Arsenal. Arsène Wenger has a track record of developing young players. Mauricio Pochettino can be added to that list too with his work between both Southampton and Tottenham. So Spurs could be a plausible destination if Khouma Babacar decides to leave Serie A for the Premier League this January or next summer.