There are a lot of questions still to be answered this season for Tottenham Hotspur, which will likely lead to more questions. The transfer market this summer and maybe even the coach are two good examples. Regardless of how the season finishes or who the coach is next season for the Spurs, left-sided center-back is a position that must be addressed.
Depending on the coach, there are two approaches to solving this problem. One is to buy a player ready to slot into the team. Alternatively, Tottenham gets a younger player who will hopefully develop – quickly – into the player the Spurs needs. In this piece, we explore the former, the ready-to-walk-in player.
Ready-Made but Still Sellable for Tottenham
In developing this list of players, a few things were considered. First, we only looked at players who are actually left-footed. The merits of having someone naturally left-footed on the left-side can be debated but the performance over this season speaks for itself. The second consideration was age.
In this instance, we were looking for that Goldilocks age. This is where the player is old enough to be well seasoned and experienced but young enough to sell-on again after at least three or four seasons with the club. This leaves us with a window of players between 25 and 27 years old. Meaning players like Marcel Halstenberg (29) and Tyrone Mings (28) were too old to be included. Likewise, other players like Pau Torres (24) and Sven Botman (21) are too young to be included.
Based on these criteria we have created a list of five players, two of which will be much more difficult to sign as they are both expensive and on long-term deals. The other three will have only a year left on their deal when this summer arrives making them potentially easier buys for a budget-conscious club like Tottenham.
Two Difficult but Great Signings for Spurs
Here are the two most ideal ready-to-slot in signings Tottenham could make at the position. Both of these young men have Champions League experience and are already playing near the top of the position, yet are not so overpriced to be completely out of the question.
Ideal Signing – Presnel Kimpembe
The 25-year-old Frenchman is a terrific passer and would give Pierre-Emile Højbjerg a run for his money with his ability to tackle. Kimpembe is not strong in the air but he is assured on the ball comfortable passing and dribbling both in the back. Presenel excels with long passes completing more than 88% of his passes over 25-yards each of the last two seasons. Only had four errors leading to shots in 115 matches.
Presnel Kimpembe currently plays at PSG under Mauricio Pochettino potentially making this deal a very interesting one. Kimpembe is probably the most complete player on our list and is also the most expensive at nearly £32m. With a contract that runs until 2024 if Dele must go, I say we demand Kimpembe in exchange, just a thought.
Expensive but worth it – Mario Hermoso
Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso is an interesting option. Hermoso is an all-action 25-year-old Spanish back kind of in the mold of our own Sergio Reguilón; Hermoso can play both inside and outside on the left side and likes to be on the ball and pass. Not nearly as accomplished a passer at Presnel Kimpembe – especially with longer balls – Hermoso brings a bit more defensively.
Not great in the air, but strong in the tackle and always looking to make an interception, pairing Hermoso up with Sergio Reguilón on the left would be an interesting proposition. The Spaniard is under contract until 2024 like Kimpembe but is a bit more affordable at about £27m.
Both Hermoso and Kimpembe are ready to walk into Tottenham right now and make the team better. However, those contracts and the cost may be prohibitive to Tottenham. With that in mind here are three more budget-conscious alternatives.
Three Other Backs to Consider
We know Tottenham is not exactly in a position to break the bank given the club is on the hook to pay down the loans on a 1.2 Billion £ stadium. Without fans in attendance and the revenue that comes with that, the club is looking to be smart in the market This means looking at players that are either a bit cheaper – who may have some holes. Alternatively, players near the end of their contracts might be a good option, and here are three.
Bringing the concentration – Joakim Nilsson
Swedish international Joakim Nilsson is currently playing at Aminia in the Bundesliga. At 27, he is the oldest of the give players we have identified but is also the most defensive of the bunch. What Nilsson lacks in offensive contribution and range outside the defensive third he makes up for in spades with his defense.
Nilsson is an all-around strong defender who is equally comfortable defending a corner in the air or challenging a player off the dribble. Concentration is one of the areas where Nilsson excels and he would bring a different mentality to the defense than currently exists. Limited in his range and ability on the ball, but a solid medium-length passer. At less than £2m with a contract up in 2022, Nilsson is very much available.
Everything but maybe the passing – Marc-Oliver Kempf
Stuttgart’s Marc-Oliver Kempf is likely not a household name to most in the Premier League. However, when it comes to all-around defenders in the Bundesliga few do more than Kempf does. Marc-Oliver is simply a good all-around footballer.
Solid but not overwhelming in the air and outstanding in the tackle and on the ball. Kempf likes to dribble and carry the ball forward and contributes more than most on the offensive end for a center-back. The one area of concern would be his passing, which at less than 82% is low for the position. Kempf does fine with the short and medium passes but struggles with the longer stuff. That said he does play a LOT of long balls in the Stuttgart system.
At less than £5m with a contract up in 2022, Kempf should certainly get a look from Spurs at 26 he is still young enough to play several years at a high level.
Expensive but potentially available for less – Alessio Romagnoli
Alessio does not dominate in any category defensively but is known for his concentration defensively and has few – if any – holes. Romagnoli is an excellent mid-range passer, excelling in those 15-25 yard balls that aim at the striker’s feet. Great anticipation as a defender who can and will contribute on the offensive end.
Is possibly the least defensive of the defenders on this list but outside of Kimpembe none can pass the rock the way the Italian does. Alessio Romagnoli, currently of AC Milan, maybe belongs on the previous slide as he is priced near £24m. However, with a contract currently set to be up in 2022, it is possible that the Italian could be had for less.
Tottenham Need to be Looking
Ultimately, Tottenham may never be linked with any of these players, however, they should be and at minimum, the Spurs need to be looking for players in this position, and starting with players who can walk into the team is a good place to start.