Spurs eyeing better option than Todibo in titan with £430m release clause

May it’s truthful to say that the work that Ange Postecoglou is doing at Tottenham Hotspur goes beneath the radar? Or, maybe at least, the Australian supervisor’s outstanding 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 surprise loan deal, whereas Postecoglou’s “priority” to signal a centre-back backs up latest switch rumours that the backline will welcome a recent face.

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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 responsibility for the subsequent month or so, Werner’s signing will possible be backed up with an strategy for a midfielder.

In defence, Radu Dragusin is the prime target however whether or not Spurs will reach securing his companies stays unsure, with Napoli also interested; ought to they fail, different choices have been lined up…

Spurs switch information – Andreas Christensen

Final week, Spanish reports 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 state of affairs.

Barcelona signed the Danish star on a free transfer at the start of last season after his contract ended with Chelsea, and whereas he holds a €500m (£430m) release clause, Spurs may have the ability to agree on a beneficial price given the circumstances.

However with Manchester United and Newcastle United also 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 won 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 successful the league final time period.

As per Sofascore, Christensen performed 23 instances throughout the 2022/23 La Liga marketing campaign and stored eight clear sheets, finishing 94% of his passes and successful 69% of his aerial battles.

There was dialog surrounding the 27-year-old’s sporadic position this season, however then he has started 14 of La Blaugrana’s league matches and stays an necessary member.

Nevertheless, ought to an attractive provide be put forth then Xavi and his switch crew might 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 resulting from 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 yr for cross 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 most interesting passers of the ball inside any backline throughout Europe and that is becoming on condition that he performs for Barcelona, however with Tottenham now refining their very own technical play beneath Postecoglou’s wing, he could be a improbable acquisition.

The £149k-per-week ace will not be 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 “intelligent” strategy by one-time boss Thomas Tuchel.

Given this, he could be the proper various to the left-sided centre-half Van de Ven, whose damage absence over the previous few months has pressured left-back Ben Davies into his place.

Whereas the aforementioned Dragusin is the favorite to affix the fold, there may be certainly uncertainty relating to 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 proper 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 needed a fast resolution 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, reports persist in linking Tottenham to the France worldwide.

Todibo is an excellent defender and he would carry robustness and bodily prowess to the Spurs backline, additionally averaging 7.9 ball recoveries and three.2 clearances per sport and successful 65% of his aerial duels.

However Postecoglou could be smart to signal Christensen if attainable, with the previous Chelsea defender’s composure the proper foil for Romero – along with his fashion certainly additionally easing the burden on Van de Ven’s shoulders.

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 “solid as a rock” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig prior to now – 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 trustworthy, all the 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 possibility and will carry an elite passing sport to boost the general fluency on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.