Tottenham agree terms with Ajax over Davinson Sanchez
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham have confirmed their first transfer of the season, as former Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez is on his way to North London.
The deal to bring Colombian to North London is worth about £40 million, which, if confirmed, would break Tottenham’s previous transfer record. He’s worth every penny if you ask me.
This is a moment for Spurs supporters to rejoice, as Sanchez is an incredibly talented, gifted and athletic defender. Not to mention that he’s only 21 years old.
He joins other Ajax signings Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen, all of whom are invaluable members of Spurs current first team. And Sanchez will be no different. The defender is as versatile as he is athletically blessed.
Comfortable in central defence and at right back, Sanchez, particularly with Kieran Trippier still recovering from an ankle injury, can slide straight into the first team. He probably won’t be available for Chelsea on Sunday but it won’t take long for Ajax’s 2016-17 Player of the Year to push for a starting role.
The deal will invariably spell the end for Kevin Wimmer, whose Spurs’ future has been uncertain for some time now. Southampton and some Bundesliga clubs are potential suitors for the Austrian defender.
Last week, Tottenham HQ profiled Sanchez and discussed what type of defender he is and how influential he will be for a club starved of new additions. Sanchez, make no mistake about it, is the real deal.
He’s tailor-fitted for Mauricio Pochettino’s mould, too. The Colombian defender has a multifaceted skill set, is young, passionate and physically gifted. The gaffer can shape and contour the 21-year-old how he sees fit, ensuring Sanchez has every opportunity to develop into one of the league’s best defenders.
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Personally, I see him eventually joining Vertonghen and Aldeweireld as part of the Ajax alumni back three. He’s got the physical stature required to thrive at the position and is best suited in the middle of the park, especially due to his breakneck pace and towering aerial presence.
It’s also a bonus knowing Tottenham will have the best Sanchez of the North London clubs. Soon Alexis will depart Arsenal and Davinson will consistently thwart the Premier League’s best forwards at the core of Spurs’ defence. For that day I cannot wait.
With the transfer monkey off Tottenham’s back, Pochettino can concentrate on bringing at least one more reinforcement aboard before the September 1 transfer deadline. Now it’s back to football, with Chelsea waiting in Wembley’s wings.