Tottenham make £35 million bid for PSG’s Draxler: is he worth it?

Is Julian Draxler, who struggled to find form in 2018-19, worth the £35 million Tottenham have reportedly bid for him? 

Some media outlets, including the Daily Mail, are reporting that Tottenham have made an initial £35 million bid for the versatile midfielder. Admittedly, when considering the questionable source, the veracity of such rumours come into question, but it’s worth delving into what Draxler would bring to Spurs.

His strengths

The 25-year-old has an abundance of talent; that much is true. Akin to Harry Winks, he can play in a deeper central role but is more comfortable in advanced positions, performing best in areas where Christian Eriksen often roams.

Equipped with the invaluable knack of running at defenders with pace, Draxler can also slash into midfield from wide positions. Gifted with a strong physical presence, Draxler makes rangy deep runs and covers ground quickly. He’s also quite adept in the air.

Already accumulating 49 international appearances for Germany, Draxler is fairly experienced for his age.

While his stats from 2018-19 won’t leave you gobsmacked, the midfielder picked up seven assists in 31 Ligue 1 appearances. He can pick a pass from almost anywhere, regardless of angle or distance.

A disappointing season at PSG

WhoScored knocks his tackling ability, the midfielder’s only glaring weakness. Remind you of someone else we know? Dubbed as a possible replacement for Eriksen, Draxler’s potential link with Spurs has only recently garnered such widespread media attention.

For all of his talent and skill, Draxler endured a disappointing 2018-19 season with PSG. Unable to make the opposition pay, he only managed to bag three goals, which, in a weaker French first division, is almost tantamount to scoring none at all.

Arriving at PSG in 2017, one has to wonder whether his form in 2018-19 season was a mere blip for the German, or the start of an extended tumultuous period.

If Moussa Sissoko is anything to go by, we shouldn’t permanently judge a player for one listless season. Conversely, Sissoko’s poor season could be blamed on difficulties adapting to new environs. That’s an excuse Draxler cannot use.

Is he worth £35 million?

In today’s market of swollen transfer fees, it’s worth taking a comparatively small risk on a strong 25-year-old German international who can pick out a precise pass from anywhere.

What are your thoughts on Tottenham’s latest prospective transfer and is he good enough to be a like-for-like Eriksen replacement?