3-2 win over Leicester reinforced two main Tottenham transfer needs

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Emerson Royal of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Emerson Royal of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Patson Daka of Leicester City battles for possession with Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on January 19, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Patson Daka of Leicester City battles for possession with Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on January 19, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

2. An accomplished centre back

The trio of Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga and Ben Davies struggled mightily to cope with an attack devoid of Leicester’s speediest asset and talisman, Jamie Vardy. Davinson’s decision making was, at times, suspect. He was caught out of position repeatedly and got all turned around on the Foxes’ opening goal.

He neither committed nor dropped off Harvey Barnes on Leicester’s second, putting him in no-man’s land when James Maddison broke through for the second. And let’s not even go into the Colombian’s inexplicable miss from three yards out at the back post.

Tanganga endured his fourth consecutive stinker. There were promising signs early on from the youngster, but he was unable to avoid those anxious moments that have defined his last month.

Davies, who has been outstanding all season, also had an off night, probably due to Eric Dier‘s absence. Dier is the side’s marshal, leads his defensive colleagues by example and dictates through boisterous command. Without his presence, Davies was a shell of himself, mustering only half-hearted tackle attempts throughout.

Things will improve substantially when Dier and Cristian Romero return. However, Antonio Conte needs more depth in the backline for his side to compete at the top of the division. Without an accomplished reinforcement, Spurs’ will be entrenched in the dogfight of their lives to snatch a top-four place.