Rob Guest highlights one potential drawback in signing Edmond Tapsoba
Tottenham Hotspur are actively pursuing Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba as they seek to bolster their backline, but concerns have been raised over his participation in the African Cup of Nations and its potential impact on the squad.
Newly-appointed Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has made it abundantly clear to the board that signing a top-quality centre-back is of utmost importance this summer. After a disappointing defensive performance last season, the Lilywhites are determined to address their shortcomings and rectify the situation.
Tapsoba, along with Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven, currently sits atop the shortlist of potential candidates for the coveted position at the heart of Tottenham’s defence. The club is believed to be making progress in their pursuit of the 24-year-old Leverkusen star, although the exact terms of the deal are yet to be finalized.
While the price tag associated with Tapsoba’s acquisition may be a significant factor, it is not the sole consideration. Football. London’s Rob Guest sheds light on a crucial pitfall that must be acknowledged before Tottenham commits to signing Edmond Tapsoba: the African Cup of Nations, and the probable involvement of the player with Burkina Faso.
Scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast, the tournament is set to kick off on January 13, 2024. Originally planned for this summer, it was rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions in the host country during that time of year.
Depending on Burkina Faso’s performance in the African Cup of Nations, Spurs may have to navigate through much of January and possibly part of February without Tapsoba. In the event that his national team progresses to the latter stages of the tournament, the defender could be absent for as many as seven crucial games for his club.
The absence of a key player for an extended period is a predicament that Tottenham cannot afford to take lightly. The defensive line requires stability and cohesion, and the potential absence of Tapsoba during this critical phase of the season could disrupt the team’s progress and undermine their aspirations.
We have seen last season with Arsenal what happened to them when William Saliba missed a crucial part of the season through an injury. Tottenham will not want such a situation to happen with Tapsoba.
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While Tapsoba’s talent and potential undoubtedly make him an enticing prospect for Tottenham, they must plan to cover for him in the period he will be absent. Let’s see how it goes.