Would possibly or not it’s honest to say that the work that Ange Postecoglou is doing at Tottenham Hotspur goes below the radar? Or, maybe at least, the Australian supervisor’s exceptional rekindling of the previously struggling aspect has not acquired the reward it deserves after the dip earlier than the festive interval.
Timo Werner is closing in on a shock mortgage deal, whereas Postecoglou’s “precedence” to signal a centre-back backs up current switch rumours that the backline will welcome a contemporary face.
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Spurs in talks to signal £50m Werner associate who would supercharge Maddison
Ange Postecoglou’s aspect look like busy within the January switch market.
There’s a hope that January transfers will ameliorate any issues which have risen from the fragility of the squad, and with talisman Heung-min Son and midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all on worldwide obligation for the following month or so, Werner’s signing will doubtless be backed up with an method for a midfielder.
In defence, Radu Dragusin is the prime goal however whether or not Spurs will reach securing his companies stays unsure, with Napoli additionally ; ought to they fail, different choices have been lined up…
Spurs switch information – Andreas Christensen
Final week, Spanish experiences revealed that Tottenham are among the many contenders to signal Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen, with the Premier League golf equipment attentive to the La Liga champions’ fraught monetary scenario.
Barcelona signed the Danish star on a free switch at the beginning of final season after his contract ended with Chelsea, and whereas he holds a €500m (£430m) launch clause, Spurs may be capable to agree on a beneficial payment given the circumstances.
However with Manchester United and Newcastle United additionally pushing for a deal, Spurs might want to resolve rapidly whether or not they want to advance their intrigue or focus their consideration elsewhere.
Andreas Christensen’s fashion of play
Christensen made 161 appearances for Chelsea and received the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona, the place he performed an necessary half in profitable the league final time period.
As per Sofascore, Christensen performed 23 occasions through the 2022/23 La Liga marketing campaign and saved eight clear sheets, finishing 94% of his passes and profitable 69% of his aerial battles.
There was dialog surrounding the 27-year-old’s sporadic function this season, however then he has began 14 of La Blaugrana’s league matches and stays an necessary member.
Nonetheless, ought to an attractive supply be put forth then Xavi and his switch crew could be satisfied to grant his departure, with Barcelona not wanting first-class defenders.
Postecoglou is constructing one thing at Tottenham and is understandably pursuing reinforcements in defence, with star defensive pair Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero each out and in of the crew this season as a consequence of accidents and suspension for the latter.
Christensen, as per FBref, ranks among the many high 1% of central defenders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for move completion, the highest 7% for passes tried and progressive passes, the highest 12% for progressive carries and the highest 14% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Clearly, he’s among the many best passers of the ball inside any backline throughout Europe and that is becoming provided that he performs for Barcelona, however with Tottenham now refining their very own technical play below Postecoglou’s wing, he could be a improbable acquisition.
Andreas Christensen: Related Gamers |
||
---|---|---|
# |
Participant |
Membership |
1 |
Jules Kounde |
Barcelona |
2 |
Antonio Rudiger |
Actual Madrid |
3 |
William Saliba |
Arsenal |
4 |
Danilo |
Juventus |
5 |
Fikayo Tomori |
AC Milan |
*Sourced through Soccer Transfers |
The £149k-per-week ace is just not naturally left-footed however he’s relaxed on the left aspect of the backline and has performed there with regularity all through his profession, having been praised for his “clever” method by one-time boss Thomas Tuchel.
Given this, he could be the right various to the left-sided centre-half Van de Ven, whose harm absence over the previous few months has compelled left-back Ben Davies into his place.
Whereas the aforementioned Dragusin is the favorite to hitch the fold, there may be certainly uncertainty concerning his transfer to north London, and whereas OGC Good’s Jean-Clair Todibo has additionally been of a vested curiosity, Christensen may simply be the right fallback.
How Andreas Christensen compares to Jean-Clair Todibo
Spurs have held an curiosity in Todibo, aged 23, for a while however discussions are understood to have collapsed because the Lilywhites wished a fast answer to their defensive quandary.
That hasn’t occurred, and the pursuit of a brand new addition goes on. And whereas Fabrizio Romano’s phrases on switch issues are sometimes binding, experiences persist in linking Tottenham to the France worldwide.
Todibo is an excellent defender and he would convey robustness and bodily prowess to the Spurs backline, additionally averaging 7.9 ball recoveries and three.2 clearances per recreation and profitable 65% of his aerial duels.
However Postecoglou could be clever to signal Christensen if potential, with the previous Chelsea defender’s composure the right foil for Romero – together with his fashion certainly additionally easing the burden on Van de Ven’s shoulders.
23/24: Andreas Christensen vs Jean-Clair Todibo |
||
---|---|---|
Stat (per 90) |
Christensen |
Todibo |
Matches performed |
14 |
15 |
Assists |
1 |
1 |
Cross completion |
96% |
91% |
Progressive carries |
1.07 |
0.74 |
Progressive passes |
6.12 |
4.85 |
Shot-creating actions |
1.57 |
1.47 |
Tackles |
0.74 |
1.99 |
Blocks |
0.74 |
1.47 |
Interceptions |
0.99 |
1.32 |
Aerial duels received |
2.31 |
1.47 |
*Sourced through FBref |
The desk above helps to elucidate the respective ability units and, crucially, why each gamers have been touted for switch to Tottenham.
Whereas Todibo is evidently extra lively and commanding in his defensive duties – having been described as “strong as a rock” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig previously – Christensen is a extra becoming signing.
Moreover, the 6 foot 2 titan has proved himself within the Premier League extra and will instil confidence and safety all through the defensive ranks, additionally assured on the left and offering the popular profile extra appropriately.
To be sincere, the entire aforementioned targets could be a credit score to Postecoglou’s aspect and the coach would reach bringing their finest qualities to the fore.
However, pedantically, Christensen may simply be the higher choice and will convey an elite passing recreation to reinforce the general fluency on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.