What a big transfer window this will be for Tottenham Hotspur?
After acquiring Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers, Spurs moved quickly to sign Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton.
That being said, they do plan to spend a bit more and could do so on two incredibly exciting midfield additions.
The North Londoners have rarely dined at the top table when it comes to new signings, but they are looking to make a big change after finishing 17th in successive seasons.
Huge investments are set to be made for this summer’s dream target Sandro Tonali. West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes is also a strong option.
Spurs could sign replacements for Tonali and Fernandes
Spurs have been hot this week, with transfer rumors starting to take shape in earnest.
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With relegation to the Championship looming, this great club appears to have been reinvigorated. It looks like the penny has finally dropped. They need to spend money, and they need to spend it as soon as possible if they are to climb up the standings and compete with the division’s leading teams.
They also need a proven track record in the Premier League, and in the form of Tonali and Fernandes they will find just that.
The latest update on these developments is that negotiations are positive, although both sides will have to pay a premium.
Tonali has already agreed personal terms and is reportedly very open to joining Roberto De Zerbi. We are both from Brescia, Italy, so we already have a connection. Spurs made an initial bid, but an offer of £75m was rejected.
As for Fernandes, formal negotiations between the clubs have not yet begun, but reports suggest he is believed to be close to agreeing personal terms with Tottenham.
But perhaps they can make better signings.
According to one prominent Spurs official who keeps supporters updated on the Van Hecke saga in particular, they are currently adding two more midfielders to their list of potential new players.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga will feature.
Comparison of Camavinga, Fernandes and Tonali
A proven player in the Premier League should be the center of attention for Spurs, but if Camavinga is indeed on the market, they should beat all that.
That doesn’t mean Fernandes and Tonali’s contracts are bad. At 25 years old, he is a complete football player and is approaching his prime. He has been phenomenal for Newcastle over the years.
Fernandes is on the younger side. At just 21 years old, he has proven to be one of the best young midfielders on the continent.
In fact, when we analyzed the West Ham star compared to under-21 midfielders from Europe’s top seven leagues, he came second in terms of progressive passes completed, but first in defensive duels won, interceptions and possession.
That being said, Camavinga is cut from a similar cloth and has been doing so since a very young age. Now 23, he is already, in the words of football writer Harvey Diamonds, “one of the best six in world football”.
why? Well, just like Tonali and Fernandes, he is an all-action midfielder who can contribute in multiple phases of play. Here’s what the statistics tell us:
Camavinga vs Tonali & Fernandes (25/26 League Stats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | Camavinga | Tonali | Fernandez |
shot | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
the goal | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 |
assist | 0 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
An opportunity has arisen | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
Pass accuracy | 92% | 84% | 87% |
through ball | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
The tackle I made | 3.8 | 1.3 | 3.1 |
Take-up completed | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
foul win | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
won an aerial battle | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
Won a ground duel | 6.4 | 3.4 | 5.4 |
won a duel | 7.1 | 3.8 | 6.0 |
If De Zerbi is looking for a player to sit at the bottom of midfield, there is no better player than Camavinga.
In terms of defensive midfielders, the Real Madrid man is elite. He has great passing accuracy and is just amazing when it comes to defending and winning duels.
The Frenchman is far ahead of Tonali and Fernandes in that regard.
Camavinga is strong in the press, draws more fouls and is truly world class both technically and physically. He’s a lot of fun to watch, but he’s also shown the physicality that befits the Premier League.
Of course, we’ve talked about how important it is for a player to already have experience in the English top flight, but in the case of the French midfielder, you’re signing a player who has played in one of the most high-pressure club environments in the world. There’s nothing tougher than being in Madrid.
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