Is Tottenham chasing the wrong Fulham defender, in Andersen?

Tosin, Solid defensive performer

Yes, we need defenders that can pass but ultimately Tottenham also needs defenders that can defend. Tosin Adaradioyo can definitely do that and in some ways better than Joachin Andersen. Simply from a team perspective, Fulham had a positive net expected goals of 0.14 when Tosin was on the field and a negative net expected goals of 0.95 when Andersen was on the field.

Of course, these two played together a ton but when it was Adaradioyo and not Andersen on the pitch, Fulham was better. Team defense is not the reason Tottenham should consider Tosin, however, it is how he defends.

While not quite as effective in the air, winning approximately 70% versus 76%, Tosin is actually a bigger defender than Joachin Anderson. At a year younger – 23, compared to Andersen’s 24 – and in only his first year versus the competition at the top flight level, one has to think Adaradioyo will improve in this area as well.

Adaradioyo is aggressive but does not foul like Tottenham

Despite playing more than 100 minutes less on the season, Adaradioyo has as many tackles and more interceptions than Andersen and only 8 fewer clearances. More importantly, Tosin does not foul at nearly the rate Joachim does. On the season Andersen has committed 41 fouls compared to just 13 from Tosin Adarabioyo.

Knowing how Tottenham defends that ability to avoid fouling defensively is a skill Spurs desperately need. On a per 90 basis Andersen commits 1.33 fouls, Toby Alderweireld is nearly half that total at just .73 fouls. Tosin Adarabioyo is even better at just .44 fouls per 90 minutes.

So if not Tosin Adarabioyo, please just someone who does NOT commit even more fouls than the current Tottenham defense.