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Tottenham Hotspur‘s defensive frailties are a factor of the previous, however that doesn’t imply that enhancements to the backline will not be requisite for sustaining the success that has arisen from Ange Postecoglou‘s managerial magic wand.
The Australian tactician took to the dugout down the N17 in June with sights set on making his mark the place a line of illustrious predecessors had fallen, however thus far he has been a triumph, launching Spurs into the ascendancy.
The Premier League table-toppers have put final yr’s malaise firmly behind them, having completed eighth and conceded 63 targets within the league time period – a concession fee beneath solely 2022/23’s relegated trio and newly-promoted Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
Micky van de Ven was signed to fight the papery backline, a centre-half of exceptional pace and athleticism, arriving from German aspect Wolfsburg for £43m with Liverpool detest to fulfill the costly tag for one among modest expertise; he is been a bona fide success thus far.
Jurgen Klopp’s loss is Massive Ange’s achieve, and this glittering new partnership with the mighty however mercurial Cristian Romero has shaped the bottom of the framework for the relentless churning of outcomes.
This starring defensive axis seems to be poised to retain its vigour for years to come back, however there isn’t any query that Spurs should bolster and deepen the ranks in 2024 to compete throughout a number of fronts.
Tottenham’s end final time period has left European soccer accessible solely by means of the display screen this yr, and with Fulham defeating Postecoglou’s aspect within the Carabao Cup in September, rotation isn’t as weighty a priority. That can change quickly, primarily based on the exploits over the previous few months.
With Eric Dier‘s contract expiring in June and the England worldwide having did not earn a single minute this season, contemporary faces are a necessity, and chairman Daniel Levy might need recognized an ideal, cost-efficient resolution.
Tottenham switch targets – Victor Nelsson
Based on the Each day Categorical’ Charlie Gordon in July, Spurs had ended their curiosity in Galatasaray central defender Victor Nelsson after transferring for Van de Ven, although current studies counsel that the highway to London has been reopened for the ace.
Whereas Nelsson is among the Turkish Tremendous Lig’s standout defenders, a contractual stalemate has left him alienated from Okan Buruk’s beginning line-up, and a January exit seems to be more and more doubtless.
And in gentle of those revelations, outlet Aksam have revealed that Tottenham may now revisit their curiosity, with the earlier €25m (£21m) valuation in discount.
Varied studies – relayed by Sport Witness – counsel that Tottenham supplied round €20m (£17m) for the 25-year-old’s providers in the summertime however Galatasaray have been certainly pushing for the aforementioned charge, halting talks.
Aksam imagine that Gala would now be keen to half with the participant for simply €15-20m (£13-17m), and on condition that Postecoglou is looking for a defender to help – not surpass – his present pairing, this seems to be to be the deal to make.
Victor Nelsson’s type of play
The Danish defender has been an essential member of Galatasaray’s efforts over the previous a number of years, having joined the membership from Copenhagen in 2021. Since then, he has accomplished 93 appearances, successful the Tremendous Lig final season after that includes closely.
Following the current contract dispute, nonetheless, Nelsson has been consigned to the periphery and has not began any of Galatasaray’s previous six league matches after starting from the outset throughout the opening 4.
This isn’t actually in relation to his performances – the ace has carried out properly, finishing 87% of his passes and successful a whopping 77% of his duels – however Buruk seems to be getting ready for all times with out his providers.
The 6 foot 2 titan clearly possesses wonderful timing and immense anticipation, not diving into challenges if proving a bit hesitant at occasions, however his positional consciousness and studying of the sport have attracted Postecoglou’s curiosity as he seems to be to strengthen.
And if Dier does go away in January, then there may be a lot price in pushing forward with discussions to safe an improve that won’t go away the aspiring Lilywhites with a shallow floor.
How Nelsson compares to Eric Dier
Dier has been one thing of a stalwart for Tottenham since becoming a member of from Sporting Lisbon in a deal price £4m in 2014, although having been branded a “legal responsibility” by author Mitch Fretton, his time seems to be up.
The dynamic defender, aged 29, didn’t look as much as scratch final time period and was on the epicentre of the woes, and his new supervisor’s choice to solid him to the perimeter is perhaps a ruthless choice, however this stony streak is paying dividends and it is tough to argue in opposition to it.
Final season, as per Sofascore, Dier accomplished 86% of his passes and averaged 3.3 clearances per recreation, although made two catastrophic errors to take a seat atop a pile of inconsistent, wobbly moments, with journalist Ryan Taylor even claiming that he’s “nowhere close to the required degree” for a group of Tottenham’s ambitions.
Nelsson, compared, has been famous for his “exemplary improvement” by well-informed expertise scout Jacek Kulig and is now eyeing a possibility to impress on the highest degree, within the Premier League.
Nelsson presents an identical set of abilities to his Tottenham counterpart, final season additionally finishing 86% of his passes and making 3.3 tackles per recreation, however he clearly holds better stability at his core and could be a composed presence on the membership.
Victor Nelsson: Model of play (WhoScored) |
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Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Focus |
Tackling |
Aerial superiority |
The defensive “monster” – as Nelsson has additionally been dubbed by Kulig – actually presents abilities of comparable high quality to Dier’s, along with his 2022/23 metrics aligning with the Englishman’s, and whereas some would possibly really feel that this could function a deterrent given Dier’s non-existent presence on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this doesn’t paint the total image.
Nelsson is a rising star, a needed commodity by a number of Premier League sides – supposedly together with rivals Arsenal – and on condition that he wouldn’t be anticipated to hold the load of the world on his shoulders upon becoming a member of, seamless integration and a utility position will permit him to acclimatise properly.
Whether or not Postecoglou forges forward with a winter bid stays to be seen – as does all switch murmurings at this stage of the season – however with Dier headed for the door, Nelsson is the person to bolster the backline of an outfit on the up.
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