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AFC Wimbledon’s Ryan Sweeney is Tottenham’s Litmus Test

By Peter Brewis

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Ryan Sweeney of AFC Wimbledon in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon at Sixfields Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Ryan Sweeney of AFC Wimbledon in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon at Sixfields Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham are allegedly in a race for AFC Wimbledon defender Ryan Sweeney. Whether or not they get their man could set the tone of the club’s transfer dealings for windows to come.

Big clubs get what they want. It’s the way global football works, for better or for worse.

With that said, Tottenham are rumored to be interested in AFC Wimbledon defender, Ryan Sweeney, along with West Ham United according to the Mirror. While the east Londoners are having a strong season this year, Spurs are having a better season.

And while Ryan Sweeney is certainly not at the top of the talent pool in terms of world footballers, this transfer could serve as one of the first tests of the “star power” that Tottenham, and all big clubs, need in order to compete for several trophies each year.

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It’s difficult to have extensive knowledge of League Two or of AFC Wimbledon in general (with games not being shown on TV for one, and not living in England for two), but it is valuable to note that Tottenham have four almost interchangeable full-backs, two “starting” center-backs, and one “backup” center-back that has been able to come in and do a job without missing a beat.

Not to mention a certain young American (Cameron Carter-Vickers) that is rated highly by Pochettino and company. Therefore, it might be interesting to wonder why Spurs are exactly linked to a League Two defender.

After some light research it looks as though Sweeney has started the last nine games for Wimbledon after going the previous 16 games as an unused substitute.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: James Collins of Northampton Town challenges for the ball with Ryan Sweeney of AFC Wimbledon during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon at Sixfields Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: James Collins of Northampton Town challenges for the ball with Ryan Sweeney of AFC Wimbledon during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon at Sixfields Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) /

The first of those nine starts saw Sweeney start in the center of the midfield. The following match, away to Barnet, saw Sweeney starting as a left-back. The following seven matches saw Sweeney playing as a center-back.

Now, with an 18-year-old it may simply be that Sweeney is a talented enough footballer and can be plugged in wherever his team needs him. And while he is listed as a defender, knowing that he is a versatile, defensive-minded footballer could be part of the package Tottenham hope to sign.

In fact, if there is one position that Tottenham may need cover at for next season, it is the defensive midfield position currently held on lockdown by Eric Dier.

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Again, it’s important to note that this is all wild speculation, but could it be that Pochettino and Spurs’ scouting staff see a similar pedigree in Sweeney that they saw in Eric Dier?

Dier did spend most of his first season in north London at center-back and full-back. Again, all of this is speculation, and to assume that an 18-year-old can come in to a Champions League caliber Premier League team, from the lower leagues, and provide valuable cover for Eric Dier is not a wise bet.

Dele Alli is the exception to the rule, not the norm.

On the other hand, if there is one thing that can be said about Mauricio Pochettino, it’s that he has a knack for identifying and developing young quality talent. And while the Mirror’s article doesn’t go so far as to say that Pochettino has spoken personally about this youngster, it does fit with the Pochettino brand of football management.

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All of this, however, is to say that this will be the first of many tests of the “pull” that Tottenham have in the coming transfer windows. Rumors should always be taken with a grain of salt, but if Spurs are competing with West Ham for a signature, and don’t get the player they want, it could be a bad omen for other potential targets.

And let’s be honest, if Spurs can’t beat the Hammers to a prospect, how will they ever compete with the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City? It’s obviously not a do or die player, but it could certainly serve as an important litmus test for things to come.