Alex Crook: Tottenham Hotspur will prioritise signing a centre-back this summer
Tottenham Hotspur will prioritise signing a centre-back this summer ahead of any other positions. The addition of a defender takes precedence for the North London club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Under Antonio Conte in the previous campaign, Spurs played with a back three. Eric Dier and Ben Davies played the majority of the season for the Italian. Cristian Romero also prominently featured when he was fit.
Transfer expert Alex Crook from talkSPORT, via GIVEMESPORT (h/t football.london), has been told Tottenham will prefer strengthening the depth in the centre-back positions before going for a forward player.
“I’ve been told that a centre-back is more of a priority [than an attacker].”
The North London side have had an interesting summer with new additions arriving early in the window. The forward line has been particularly strengthened with the arrival of Richarlison.
The midfield has also seen the addition of Yves Bissouma. However, it seems the defence has been a priority for the club, with Ivan Perisic and Spurs-bound Djed Spence preferably occupying the wing-back positions.
The Lilywhites have already added Clement Lenglet to the squad this summer. The centre-back arrived for a season-long loan from Barcelona. It gives Conte another option for his defence.
“Obviously, they’ve signed [Clement] Lenglet but I think they will sign one more as well because they’re going to play a back three, ideally with [Djed] Spence and [Ivan] Perisic as the wing-backs.”
Tottenham had the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League last season. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, our backline suffered, but the arrival of Conte solidified the rearguard, making them harder to break down.
Spurs conceded 40 goals in the league last season. While it averages to just over a goal a game, it is not enough for us to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool. We cannot afford to even ignore fine margins if ambitions of catching up to the two English juggernauts have to come to fruition.
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We have other backup options in the side but adding quality is important to challenge for and win titles. Last season our defending left a lot to be desired. Any hopes of silverware next season clings on us having three or more formidable centre-backs.
