The Lilywhites could be about to get rid of one major defensive liability.
If rumors are to be believed, Tottenham Hotspur now appears ready to make a bid for a player who has been frequently connected to them…
Who are Tottenham’s prospective new players?
Despite already having signed Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison to the team, Ange Postecoglou‘s summer revolution appears to be far from complete as he looks to explore his defensive alternatives.
Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen is one such name that keeps popping up, and the most recent rumor from Sport BILD (via Sport Witness) suggests that a prospective transfer is currently in the works.
Despite the German team’s best efforts to keep their star defense, an offer from Spurs is shortly to be anticipated. They intend to contribute about €40 million (£34 million), but that has not yet happened.
Xabi Alonso is hopeful that no such offer will be made, but given how long Postecoglou has pursued the 24-year-old, it is very improbable.
Once the money is involved, this should seem to be a simple transaction.
Six years later, it appears Galatasaray will sign him for barely €9 million (£7.6 million), demonstrating how unimpressive this decision has turned out to be.
Because Tapsoba is a technically adept big who can build the groundwork for years of success, the Lilywhites were able to finally sign the player they believed they were getting all those years ago.
Indeed, according to Sofascore, his 6.88 average rating in the Bundesliga last season, which was boosted by his 86% pass accuracy, 1.5 tackles, and three clearances per game, emphasizes this.
In fact, according to FBref, he is in the top 10% of center backs in Europe for passes attempted, progressive passes made, progressive carries made, and successful take-ons made per 90.
Therefore, hardly many players on the continent are as adept with the ball as this 6 foot 4 machine.
It is easy to understand why there was hope Sanchez would flourish under Pochettino when comparing these numbers to his last league season at Ajax.
According to Sofascore, his 7.25 average rating resulted in six goals, an 89% pass completion rate, 1.9 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, and 5.2 clearances per game.
In fact, according to FBref, he is in the top 10% of center backs in Europe for passes attempted, progressive passes made, progressive carries made, and successful take-ons made per 90.
Therefore, hardly many players on the continent are as adept with the ball as this 6 foot 4 machine.
It is easy to understand why there was hope Sanchez would flourish under Pochettino when comparing these numbers to his last league season at Ajax.
According to Sofascore, his 7.25 average rating resulted in six goals, an 89% pass completion rate, 1.9 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, and 5.2 clearances per game.
Everyone can notice the parallels between the two.
It is evident that he was never able to regain these heights, though, as his greatest Premier League average rating was only 7.08.
Tapsoba would aim to exorcise the ghosts of the past and fill a role that has arguably been empty since the exits of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld as a much more seasoned behemoth who has been given the opportunity to develop in the German top-flight before clinching this move.
The journalist Antonio Mango has high expectations for him and listed on Twitter his essential characteristics that would make him a success right away under Postecoglou:
He is an evil person. defender who plays the ball. on the ball with ease. powerful and large. Quick. Excellent football IQ and an excellent position. He has a bright future as long as he keeps his head level.
As a result, the Australian head coach must try to replace Sanchez by signing Tapsoba before the new season begins in a month.
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