The Dutchman’s absence has revealed a major flaw.
After Micky van de Ven‘s injury, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is said to be looking for a “rapid” and “quality” center-back.
Van de ven’s injury reveals the depth of the center-back position.
While van de Ven is due to return in the January transfer window, the Dutchman’s absence has revealed a glaring lack of depth in Tottenham’s defence.
The Englishman does not fit Tottenham’s new high defensive line and was undoubtedly exposed at times during Tottenham’s loss to Wolves on Saturday. Cristian Romero‘s absence due to suspension doesn’t help matters either, but Spurs simply require van de Ven’s speed to play the manner Postecoglou wants.
Two consecutive losses have highlighted the Spurs‘ need for a van de Ven/Romero replacement when one or both are missing.
Postecoglou is keen on Bournemouth star Kelly.
As a result, reports in the previous two weeks have suggested that Tottenham are prioritising the signing of a new left-sided center-back in January. Sebastian Caceres of Uruguay, Ben Godfrey of Everton, Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea, and Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth have all been linked with moves to Spurs recently.
According to TEAMtalk, who provided an update on the club’s transfer ambitions this week, Postecoglou is personally interested in signing Kelly as a replacement for van de Ven.
The Cherries defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, so he may leave the Vitality Stadium for a reasonable amount in January. According to Football Insider, Kelly might move for about £25-£30 million, which could be enticing for Tottenham considering the defender’s suitability for Postecoglou’s system.
“Quality” and “rapid” Kelly appears to be a good fit for the Spurs.
According to Sky writer Jamie Weir, the Englishman, like van de Ven, may be well-suited to Spurs’ style. Kelly is at ease in a high line and moves at a breakneck pace.
“Find the ignorance/snobbery over Lloyd Kelly fairly odd,” Weir commented on X in September.
“There have been numerous comments inquiring who he is. He’s 24, a quick left-footed CB who can play in a high line, a homegrown player who has led Bournemouth for a year.”
Meanwhile, former Bournemouth manager Scott Parker previously described Kelly as a true “quality” defender.
“I think Lloyd Kelly has got the attributes and the ability to be a top Premier League centre-half,” Parker stated.
“And I believe we are truly grateful and extremely fortunate to have someone of his calibre.
“You definitely take players like Lloyd for granted because he makes everything appear really natural and easy. And if you put someone else in that position of a ball down the side of a defender or one in the channel and getting into a foot race, he makes it look so effortless that you probably don’t appreciate it.”
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