Tottenham Hotspur have made a total of six signings this summer transfer window and do not look like they are close to being finished with interest ramping up in forwards like Eli Junior Kroupi, Savinho, Cody Gakpo, and maybe even Marcus Rashford. Out of all their signings, the trio of Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes is the most hyped, but perhaps their least discussed signing has more ramifications than many around the Premier League are thinking.
Spurs were always planning on selling Guglielmo Vicario, not only because he had a terrible season in which he was the worst starting keeper in the league by save percentage while making many more errors that the stats will not capture, but he was also a negative in terms of leadership, constantly yelling at his teammates for his own mistakes.
The rise of Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League relegation fight was one of the best possible storylines that could have happened for Spurs. Fans were begging for Kinsky to get his chance for about a year, and though Igor Tudor nearly ruined him with that Atletico Madrid debacle, Kinsky recovered so well that he became not just an inspiration for Spurs fans, but legitimately one of the best keepers in the entire league for that stretch when Tottenham needed him the most.
Dubravka over Vicario all day
So instead of signing James Trafford or Lucas Chevalier or any other goalkeeper to compete with - or potentially start over - Kinsky, Spurs continued to shop Vicario on the transfer market, mostly to Serie A clubs like Juventus, while giving their new Czech starter a brand new contract and the full backing of manager Roberto De Zeri.
And then Tottenham Hotspur signed another Czech goalkeeper in long time Premier League backup Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United fame. Dubravka used to be an above average starting goalkeepr, and now he is one of the best backups around.
It cannot be understated what Tottenham are getting in Dubravka. He is the anti Guglielmo Vicario, in many ways. He is the perfect teammate, accountable for his mistakes, respectful and willing to be the backup, and also shares the same country as Antonin Kinsky, meaning he will be an even bigger support for the young goalkeeper as he embarks on the tough journey of being the face between the sticks of one of the most high pressured clubs in English football.
Dubravka is exactly what Spurs needed: a comfortable, veteran No. 2 who can start in a pinch but just wants to be the backup and the mentor to the next generation. That is much more preferred to Vicario, who could destabilize Spurs in that role.
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