The time is now for Radu Dragusin
By Henry Daley
There won't be a better opportunity for Radu Dragusin.
With news that starting center back Micky van de Ven will be out until at least the international break with a hamstring injury, the 22-year-old immediately slots into the first team. He's started in four European competition games but has been a part of the starting lineup once in Premier League play.
Tottenham play two Premier League contests before the international break, both at home, against Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. Aston Villa sit fifth in the table and represent the more challenging of the two opponents. Still, the North London club will be desperate to win both games as they currently sit 10th in the table and will try to build on the momentum from its thrilling 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
To do that, it'll need Dragusin in top form. Despite the defense's vulnerability in manager Ange Postecoglou's attack-focused system, Spurs have allowed the third-fewest goals of any Premier League side this season, one of three teams to allow only 10 goals or less. Much of that success has been thanks to the strong play of van de Ven and fellow center back Cristian Romero, who was subbed off against Man City because of fatigue.
Whether or not Romero is available, Dragusin will still be relied on to play heavy minutes. After being sent off seven minutes into Tottenham's first Europa League match, a 3-0 win against FK Qarabag, the Romanian has bounced back with a couple of strong performances.
In his first start for Spurs after the disappointing red card during another Europa League contest- this one against AZ Alkmaar- he was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball. He had 7 clearances and won 5 duels, three of which were aerial. Six days later in the game against Man City, Dragusin had 5 clearances and won 2 duels without committing a single foul.
These types of performances prove that he can anchor the defense in Postecoglou's uptempo style of play, regardless of who he's paired with. Last season, that wasn't as clear, and it reflected in his playing time as he was handed only four starts over the entire campaign. Ahead of Sunday's match against Aston Villa, he's earned that many starts already this year.
Tottenham was one of the most injury-prone squads in the Premier League last season, suffering over 35 total injuries and 175 games missed due to injury. Stats like that prompted Spurs to sign players like Dragusin to help shore up its depth, and now Dragusin will have ample opportunity to prove he's worth the £26.7m Tottenham paid to Genoa when it signed him.
The recent Juventus links and reports that he's grown frustrated shouldn't be a concern for Spurs fans, as it should only motivate him to play better, regardless of what his future in North London is.
It all starts with Aston Villa on Sunday -if Dragusin plays like he's capable of, it's unrealistic to think Tottenham would part with the 22-year-old. The time is now for Dragusin to step up and prove himself.