9 Names to remember when Tottenham go center back shopping

In the perfect world for Tottenham Hotspur, the club would step up in the summer and sign a well-established world-class center-half like Presnel Kimpembe. However, based on experience following the club, it is more likely than not that Tottenham will invest in a player a bit younger and less established. Given that trend, here are nine names to keep in mind when Tottenham goes looking for a new left-sided center back.

Three kinds of young backs to consider

In doing some research on the left-back center-back position, and identifying these nine players, there are three basic categories of players. The first category is those players who are quite affordable but have some real question marks about exactly how ready they are to contribute from day 1, which Spurs obviously need. The second group is players that are likely already out of the price range for Tottenham, despite being young and relatively inexperienced. The third group, well they may be exactly what Tottenham is looking for.

Young talent to consider

There are five names on this list of young, reasonably priced defenders who are worth taking a look at, shared here by age.

Jonathan Panzo – 20 – Dijon

Jonathan Panzo is a name that may be familiar to those that follow the Three Lions, youth teams. Panzo has played some part in the England set-up from U16 through U21. Panzo has not been capped at the senior level and could technically still choose to join Serge Aurier and Cote d’Ivoire instead of England. Only 20, Panzo joined Dijon from Monaco last August and has featured 17 times in all competitions for the French club. Panzo is strong on the ball and an excellent all-around, all-action defender, currently only valued at just under £4m, and English, Panzo is one to consider. Given Dijon may be facing the drop from Ligue 1, now could be the time to buy.

Facundo Medina – 21 – RC Lens

Facundo Medina is the next in the line of center backs from Argentina, an excellent all-around footballer who is extremely comfortable on the ball Medina has featured 23 times for Lens in all competitions. Medina is a very progressive passer who likes to move the ball forward. Completely almost 94% of his passes from 10-25 yards, he gets the ball where it needs to be. Assured in the tackle if not a little reckless at times and a contributor on offense. Currently valued at about £6.4m Medina is quite affordable and would continue to grow the Argentine lineage at Spurs.

Felix Udokhai – 23 – Augsburg

After a season on loan at Wolfsburg, Felix Udokhai has established himself in the center of defense for Augsburg in the Bundesliga this season. Udokhai is not the passer that Medina is, but is good on the dribble so not afraid of the ball. What Udokhai lacks in the progressive play he makes up for in stout defending. Strong as they come in the air, and a wall in the back with his blocks and clearances. At about 84% on the season, his passing is not terrible but is a step down from his defending. Udokhai is a bit more polished and experienced than Panzo and Medina and it shows as he is valued at about £10.4m and is under contract until 2024.

Keven Schlotterbeck – 23 – Freiburg

Staying in Germany Keven Schlotterbeck is a similar player to Udokhai in that his strength is his defending skills. An outstanding overall defender, who is good at applying pressure, tackling the ball, and ball recovery in general. Schlotterbeck is probably the least comfortable on the ball of all the players on the list but is also probably the most defensive of the bunch. Not going to wow you on the ball, but will be where he needs to be. Hi is currently valued at about £6m.

Nayet Aguerd – 25 – Stade Rennais FC

Turning 25 today as it were, Nayet Aguerd is the oldest player on our list but still young enough to have a long career in front of him. A native of Morocco, Aguerd has had a breakout season for Rennais in France. Already with 33 appearances across all competitions – including our in the Champions League – Aguerd is an experienced defender. Aguerd is the opposite of Schlotterbeck in that he is maybe the most comfortable of all these players on the ball and the least impressive from a statistics perspective defensively. Aguerd is an outstanding passer who completes more than 90% overall and has completed a very impressive 75% of over 400 passes over 25-yards this season. Talk about a great long ball. Aguerd has seen his value rise to about £6.4m this season and is under contract until 2024.