3 left-backs Tottenham could look at to avoid past mistakes

Gary Jacob has reported that Tottenham are looking at “left-back cover” before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. 

Spurs had shown interest in Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, though things have gone quiet on that front.

Destiny Udogie is a top-class left-back, with and without the ball, but hasn’t played football since mid-April.

The friendly against Bayern Munich on Saturday is the only chance to get minutes in the legs before an intense season that includes a European campaign. 

Spurs really lack depth behind Udogie. Ben Davies is lacking in athleticism and technique to play in an Ange Postecoglu side. 

Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royal filled in last season, but neither are of the requisite quality and both seem to be on the way out in any case. 

So who can Spurs look at to deputise for Udogie?

3 left-backs Tottenham could look at to avoid past mistakes

Nicolas Tagliafico of Lyon is an experienced defender and only has one year remaining on his existing Lyon contract. Spurs fans will remember how he was part of the Ajax team that Spurs came back from the dead against in 2019, with a young Micky Van De Ven watching in the crowd. 

Tagliafico has been a big part of the highly successful Argentina side who have won three consecutive major tournaments. He was a part of the domestically dominant Ajax sides and knows how to be a part of a team that gets the job done. 

He has played with Romero before, with Argentina, which could help him to settle in easier - on and off the pitch. With the aforementioned contract situation and the fact he turns 32 at the end of the month, he should be financially viable for Spurs. 

Greg Taylor of Celtic is a left-field shout. Taylor of course played under the instructions of Ange Postecoglu at Celtic for two seasons and knows what is required of an Ange Postecoglu left-back. Taylor, like Tagliafico - has a contract ending in 2025. 

Frustratingly, though, for some reason, Scottish players do not count towards the homegrown ruling - even though Welsh players do. Ben Davies is seen as a homegrown player - but Greg Taylor wouldn’t be. 

There would of course be concerns regarding the step up in quality but Taylor has played in Champions League games against some big teams. Taylor also recently impressed in a friendly against Tottenham’s Premier League counterparts, Chelsea, and grabbed an assist. 

It is possible that, with his aforementioned European experience coming in handy, at least in the early phases of the competition, Taylor could be used in the Europa League and Udogie saved for the league. 

James Justin is the third and final shout for potential left-back deputy. When Leicester were last in the Premier League, Justin often showed his capabilities as a top-level Premier League defender, culminating in making his debut for England in June of 2022.

He was even tipped to make England’s Euro 2020 squad before a cruel ACL injury ruled out any chances of him being there. It’s a testament to him that he was able to recover and come back well enough to get capped over a year later. 

The Leicester defender isn’t quite the player he used to be but could be a serviceable backup for Spurs. Originally a right-back, Justin has spent a lot of his career at left-back, and even at centre-back, owing to his versatility and tactical abilities. 

As mentioned above, Justin would be able to add depth across the back line and would importantly be another homegrown option for Spurs. The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and Leicester have financial issues due to PsR rules, so could see an opportunity to cash in. 

Oliver Skipp has been linked with a move to Leicester, so that could be used as a sweetener too. Spurs then also don’t lose any homegrown quota in the process. 

Before you scoff at any of these names, remember - these aren’t shouts to be Spurs’ first-choice left-back. They are merely ideas to help deputize and ease the load off Destiny Udogie next season - minimize the risk of injury to him and be a capable cover for whenever he isn’t available.