Tottenham Target, Wanyama, Talks About Leaving Saints

Victor Wanyama has not officially joined Tottenham Hotspur yet, but it appears that he has already said his goodbyes and is set on leaving Southampton.

For two summers now, ever since Mauricio Pochettino took over as Tottenham’s manager, the Kenyan international has always been a transfer target for the Argentine boss. Which is no surprise as Pochettino brought Victor Wanyama into the Premier League to join his Southampton side back in 2013, and now he’s looking to do the same with Spurs this summer.

Reports have been covering this rumor for the past couple of days with Tottenham beating Leicester City in a race to sign the 24-year-old defensive midfielder.

Nothing is official just yet, but what is certain though, is that Victor Wanyama is not returning to St. Mary’s and playing for Southampton next season.

Not with his former manager, Ronald Koeman, taking over for Everton following Roberto Martínez’ sacking and seeing plenty of his teammates leave in previous summers for other clubs.

Speaking to soka25east in Kenya (via Fans Network), Wanyama had this to say:

"“It’s always a tough moment leaving a club that you are so much used to their tradition and fans but again it’s always the dream of any footballer to play at the very top level like Champions League.”“I will definitely miss the awesome Southampton fans who always showed me love and I know they will fully understand my decision.”"

Those two sentences definitely sounds like a player who is set to leave his current club for a team that will compete in the Champions League next season. But when will that happen? Based on the linked article above, the author wrote that Wanyama will apparently have his medical on Monday with Tottenham before his signing will be announced in the middle of next week.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Victor Wanyama of Southampton takes on Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

So, what happens when Victor Wanyama does in fact sign with Tottenham? What then? Based on Wanyama’s position, initial thoughts are that he could be Eric Dier’s backup.

And in some instances that’s actually possible, but with Mousa Dembélé still set to miss the first four games of the 2016-17 Premier League season, Mauricio Pochettino could use a new central midfielder in a third double pivot lineup change for the third consecutive season.

Or, simply field two holding midfielders, but ones who are much more than that.

While both Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama have been the shield to their team’s backline, respectively, they can also bring the ball forward as another option to attack. Dier has already shown that he could shoot from distance if given a chance (see: Manchester City last September).

Not only that, but Pochettino has in fact played with two holding midfielders before during his time with Southampton. Opting to go with a Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin pairing in central midfield.

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Now assuming that Pochettino wants Dele Alli to be his team’s central attacking midfielder and play behind Harry Kane — with Christian Eriksen still very much a part of the starting XI as a left midfielder — someone must come into the lineup at central midfield.

And the thought of Ryan Mason or Tom Carroll (Harry Winks even), would not be enough. Therefore, a player such as Victor Wanyama, if these reports are true, should be more than enough to replace Dembélé at central midfield.

For the time being until he comes back.

Then again, because the Belgian international kept on picking up knocks here and there last season, it would be wise to give him some time off more often and only play him when he matches up well against Spurs’ opponents.

Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham supporters saw first hand what it’s like to lose Mousa Dembélé for a few games this past term, their team wasn’t the same. No pressing, no midfield link up play, no ball winning and not much possession.

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So, Dembélé will be a rotational player once again even though he has earned the right to start after his performances last season. But losing him to injury would be bad as he was needed (along with Dele Alli) in the final few games to close out last season.

This is why Victor Wanyama won’t be a permanent solution — although he could be one — but more than likely, he is a player that can step in when needed and provide Spurs a spark. Or simply put, the Kenyan international’s play on the pitch won’t cause Tottenham to lose a step.

There won’t be a dip in production when he starts in Dembélé’s place next to Dier.