Tottenham: Projecting the fullback position in 2020-21

Fullback or wingback used to be a position of riches for Tottenham Hotspur, over the last few seasons the depth has disappeared, and questions abound about the future of the position for Spurs.

At one point just a few years ago, Tottenham Hotspur had arguably the best collection of wingbacks or fullbacks in all of England as Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, and Ben Davies, took turns marauding up and down their respective flanks.

While Serge Aurier was brought in as a replacement for Kyle Walker a few seasons back, replacements for Trippier and Danny Rose have not been found, leaving Spurs a bit short at the position.

What can Spurs do to get the defense on track and what is the future of the fullback position?

Aurier going out?

While the shortened transfer window has only just begun, there have been no shortage of rumors related to Tottenham fullbacks. The main rumor that just will not seem to die is moving Serge Aurier to AC Milan, but also to AC Monaco and former Spurs recruitment ace Paul Mitchell. While a nice fee for Aurier would be beneficial in bringing in new blood, I just do not see how Spurs sell the Ivory Coast international without first bringing in some cover.

One could suppose that Japhet Tanganga – who broke into the first team this past season under Jose Mourinho – could be a natural replacement for Aurier and he does look promising. However, it should have been clear to everyone, having only one first-team right back is not good enough.

Considering Tanganga missed time injured, which Aurier has not, I just do not see how Tottenham Hotspur can put all their right-back eggs in the Tanganga basket. Having not replaced Trippier last season, one would hope management has learned a lesson.

Rose wants back in

Again, if reports are to be believed, Danny Rose is dropping hints at wanting to finish out his contract at N17, which runs until the end of the 2021 season. With quotes about running out his contract and playing once more in front of the fans surfacing, it may seem Rose has not yet played his last match as a Spur. Then again, Rose never seemed to jive with Jose Mourinho after being one of Mauricio Pochettino’s favorites.

While bringing Rose back does not answer all the questions that exist at left back, it would help with the cover Spurs desperately need for Ben Davies. Davies had to deal with injuries of his own this past season and only played in 22 contests for Spurs.

Those 22 plus 15 from Rose represented just one more appearance than Rose had himself in 2018-19 and three less appearances than Davies had that season when he played in 40 matches. Some rotation at the position certainly helps with the freshness, so having Rose for one more season just might make sense.

Answers from the Academy

Possibly the answer everyone is looking for at back is in the current academy squad for Tottenham. As previously noted, Japhet Tanganga broke into the first team this past season, playing in all four positions across the back line, but clearly, he is best on his natural right side. Whether as a wingback or center-half is not yet known, but we should all expect the recently-extended 21-year-old to get a lot of time across the back line.

Beyond Tanganga, the main hope from the academy lies with the young left-sided defender Dennis Cirkin, who made 17 appearances for Spurs academy squads during the season and was named to the bench a couple times over the final few weeks of the season.

Technically, Cirkin just was named to the Spurs U-23 team this past summer, but at only 18 years of age, that is a temporary stop on his way to the first team. Cirkin is one who could certainly benefit from the extra games afforded Spurs if they fully qualify for Europa League and he could also learn a lot from both Davies and Rose in terms of being a professional footballer. While not as big of a role as Tanganga, Cirkin could play a part in Spurs season in 2020-21.

Beyond Tanganga and Cirkin, Anthony Georgiou could get a look in the pre-season as a left-sided player who earned some time at fullback last pre-season. Additionally, Timothy Eyoma could play a Japhet Tanganga type role next season, as he is experienced at both center-half and right back at the youth level. Looking past those four, no one immediately gravitates to the front of the line as a potential left or right back for the side.

Ultimately, if Serge Aurier is sold and Danny Rose does not return from his loan, Spurs are going to have to look into the market and sign some players to both compete with and provide some rest for Davies and Tanganga, the only other two recognized fullbacks on the roster.

What do you think, how will Spurs handle the fullback position in 2020-21?