Spurs could look to sign Bournemouth free agent
By Tom Vinall
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It's that time of the year where talk over summer transfers really begin to heat up. Numerous transfers have been confirmed in all but official club announcements, and hopefully Spurs will add to that list soon.
Everybody knows what Daniel Levy and co. are like in the market, so as always, Spurs will have to be savvy with their summer business if they are to improve and not be left behind.
Here's what may be a sensible transfer for Ange's men.
Lloyd Kelly is set to leave AFC Bournemouth this summer upon the expiry of his contract (Transfermarkt). He will, however, have plenty of suitors, so Spurs must act fast.
Kelly joined the South Coast team in 2019 from boyhood club Bristol City (Transfermarkt). In January of the 2021/22 season, at the age of just 23 - Kelly became stand-in captain of the club when Steve Cook left for Nottingham Forest, and became permanent club captain the following summer.
There has been a lot of questions raised regarding the character of the Spurs team this season, so the leadership of a player trusted with captaincy duties at just 23 (now 25) could be an extremely useful addition.
Kelly also provides useful versatility on the pitch - having played both as a left-sided centre-back and left-back. He is very comfortable on the ball and if necessary could play the inverted full-back role that Ange asks of his left-backs.
Spurs only currently left-footed centre-back is Micky van de Ven (though left-back Ben Davies sometimes slides into the role), so Kelly would add strong depth in two positions, depth that Spurs badly need.
Kelly has the requisite pace for an Ange high-line as well, which, when coupled with his ball playing capabilities at both centre-back and left-back, make him an even greater fit for this Spurs team.
He also provides another homegrown option which can never be a bad thing. Spurs' only current homegrown player is Ben Davies, so adding a homegrown option would be a welcome plus.
At 25, Kelly is at an age where he has plenty of top level experience, but also where his best years are ahead of him. Centre-backs tend to peak between the ages of 27-32, so if Spurs were to pick him up they could potentially be getting the best years of his career.
Barring an almighty collapse, Tottenham will be playing some form of European football next season, so more squad depth is a must.
Spurs have struggled with immense injuries this season while only playing domestically, so with a potential grueling Europa League campaign including Thursday nights in hostile Eastern European atmospheres, Spurs must have stronger squad depth.
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