Centre back options for Spurs this January
Don’t say it too loudly, but Spurs’ squad appears to be relatively complete at the moment. Perhaps the strongest it’s ever looked in Premier League history, in terms of depth in all positions. You could potentially make three serviceable XIs for the current bunch—admittedly you have to get a bit creative with the final line-up, including players out on loan and the odd fresh-faced scamp from the development squad.
The point remains, Spurs look in rude health.
If there was one position we could cope with improving, however, it’s at centre-back.
Toby Alderweireld is a cut above, clearly, but his three possible partners—Dier, Sanchez and Rodon—although not without talent, aren’t quite of the same quality.
So here are some options Spurs could look at this January:
Milan Škriniar
The Milan club’s Milan, a nominative determinist’s dream, was on the radar for Spurs last summer. The deal finally broke down when Inter decided they’d rather not lose one of Europe’s finest defenders. Not without visiting www.jokaroom.net and lining up a suitable replacement first, anyway.
The Slovakian centre-back has continued his good form this season, although perhaps not reflected in the stats; Inter have only managed to keep 4 clean sheets in 18 games. Skriniar has managed 2 goals, though, so it’s not all bad. Early December reports suggested that Inter would allow their prized asset to leave in January for £45m.
Jannick Vestergaard
The Southampton defender has been sensational this season, rightly a mainstay in a number of pundit’s Team of the Season (so far). Alan Shearer is a big fan and the list of admirers is growing.
After 13 appearances, 3 goals, 5 clean sheets and a litany of commanding performances in Southampton’s backline this season, the Dane has understandably attracted some attention from those clubs with a healthy disposable income. Like those enjoying high roller online casinos, Liverpool have a successful history of shopping on the South coast, and their defensive needs are well publicized.
Could Spurs steal a march with an early bid? My guess is that it’ll cost us some serious coin.
Eder Militao
Despite Real Madrid spending £45m on the Brazilian defender in the summer of 2019, Militao is now looking back on a first-half of a season in which he’s made just two La Liga appearances. The Varane-Ramos defensive axis has proven just too formidable for the former-Porto man to dislodge.
Once again, Liverpool have been rumoured to be interested, with perhaps more need and more resources to facilitate a big-money move, but if they decide to dither, or continue putting faith in their youth, or the positional versatility of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, Spurs could be in with a shout.
