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Tottenham could turn to German youngster for Kyle Walker replacement

By Ryan Wrenn

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Benjamin Henrichs of Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany on March 10, 2017. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Benjamin Henrichs of Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany on March 10, 2017. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Walker’s exit is far form certain at this point, but the possibility leaves Tottenham at least hypothetically in the market for a new right-back.

Ideally that right-back would be Tottenham’s long-term solution to the vacancy in that position, a young player who can mature into Mauricio Pochettino’s system at the club.

There are several players that meet those criteria around Europe’s best leagues, though not many that are either available or not already on the radar of Spurs’ deep-pocketed rivals.

One player that earns plenty of good press and might actually be within Spurs’ reach is Bayer Leverkusen full-back Benjamin Henrichs.

The German international checks off a lot of Pochettino’s boxes.

He’s young, having only just turned 20 years old in February. Despite his youth, he’s already a full first team member for Leverkusen. Thus far this season he’s made 35 appearances for the Bundesliga side, almost all starts.

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That starting position wasn’t simply given to him by default. He’s a talent, performing well defensively while also folding into Leverkusens to cycle possession through midfield. Perhaps he lacks a bit of Walker’s attacking verve, but the makings are here for a multi-faceted impact player.

Leverkusen’s style of play also might attract Pochettino. Under Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen became a well-oiled pressing machine, and effort that began at the top of the formation but stretched back to Henrich’s role at right-back.

Though Schmidt was let go midway through the season, his influence persists at the club. Henrichs, should he move to Tottenham, would not be unfamiliar with the tactical or technical aspects of his new club.

Finally, Leverkusen suffered a near-disastrous 2016/17 campaign despite all the gains they made in prior seasons. As of this writing, they sit only three points above the relegation zone in 12th place.

Such lackluster form might make holding onto assets like Henrichs difficult. They simply cannot offer the glory of the Champions League or a potential title charge, both things that Tottenham can reasonably promise. Their case for holding onto Henrichs might even be weak enough to drive down his cost.

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For a club particularly concerned with price points and negotiating good deals as they continue to find ways to finance their new stadium, Spurs should be among the many suitors for Henrichs signature this summer.

That is, of course, assuming Walker actually moves on this summer. That remains no sure thing.