Three Old Lady players Fabio Paratici could lure to Tottenham
By Gary Pearson
2. Leonardo Bonucci
I’m certainly not questioning Leonardo Bonucci’s pedigree and ability to marshal expertly a rearguard. He has won a staggering nine Scudettos, eight of which on the bounce with Juventus. That winning experience would be invaluable to a porous, comparatively fledgling Tottenham backline.
However, Bonucci is coming heading toward the sunset of his career. The sands of time, suffice to say, are not on his side. The 34-year-old probably only has a year or two left at an elite level. And with all due respect to him and the Serie A, the Premier League is an altogether different beast.
The physicality and speed of the Premier League is unparalleled in world football, which, at this late stage of his career, would be asking too much of a centre back who has already accumulated countless miles on his aging legs.
There is merit in bringing him to Tottenham to impart his expertise, wisdom and knowledge upon younger, more inexperienced defenders. But Toby Alderweireld already has that role covered. Though Bonucci’s CV, with no disrespect to Toby, is substantially more impressive.