Pros and Cons of Tottenham Hotspur signing Southampton’s Danny Ings

Ings is not a perfect fit for Tottenham

Danny Ings would certainly be an upgrade over any striker Harry Kane has had to work with but it is possible Tottenham could do better on a couple of fronts.

Ings has a history of injuries, which has often kept him out for Southampton the last several seasons. Over the last five years, Ings has only once played more than 30 matches and Tottenham routinely plays upwards of 50 in a season.

Ings has played over 2000 minutes each of the last two seasons but you have to go back to 2014/15 and Burnley to find another season with as many or more minutes. Ings’ time at Liverpool ended up being a wash but some of that too was injury-related. It is often said the best ability is availability, and there are certainly questions about that with Ings.

Ings does not really fit Tottenham’s transfer profile

Typically, Tottenham is looking to identify and bring in younger, not fully developed talent that they can then sell on. While the need to appease Kane is likely real, it is unclear if that means a complete change in transfer policy.

At a soon-to-be 29, Ings likely has a few really solid years left but then will not have great value in three or four years’ time. It seems more likely that Spurs would go with someone younger with more ‘potential’ than someone like Ings who actually has production.

Ings is not a burner

Danny Ings is quick but he is not an out-and-out burner. Tottenham currently lacks someone to really stretch the field, particularly if Harry Kane drops deep. While Son and Bergwijn can be good targets on the wing, neither have the pace that will scare someone defensively and Ings does not have that pace either.

An intelligent runner, who is quick, Ings can get behind the defense but not in the same way that Raheem Sterling or Jamie Vardy can, he is just not that kind of fast. Even without elite speed Ings would bring something different to the squad and provide something different for the opposition to think about.

Regardless Ings would make Tottenham a better squad

There are some question marks related to Ings’ health and yes, in the end, Tottenham may end up losing money on the transfer end of things. However, if Spurs are able to keep Kane and give him the kind of partner he needs to take yet another step in his progression, Ings is worth the risk.

Certainly not the most likely signing given the profile and definitely not the top of the list if Kane bounces but if Spurs wants a second striker to pair with Kane, Danny Ings is a pretty good option.