Tottenham could invest in a new centre-back in January, claims ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson
Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a solid summer transfer window, making as many as five exciting signings to bolster the squad.
Last time out proved to be a frustrating afternoon of football for the Lilywhites as they failed to take their chances against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. They lost the game 2-1 in Tyneside, leaving Ange Postecoglou and Co. with four points from a possible nine.
Star centre-back Micky van de Ven missed the defeat to Newcastle through injury. This saw Ange Postecoglou hand Radu Dragusin his first start of the season, and the Romanian slotted in well beside Cristian Romero in central defence.
In Van de Ven, Romero and Dragusin, Big Ange only has three recognised centre-halves in his squad. Ben Davies, primarily a left-back, can also operate in that position, but overall it is an area which is extremely light in terms of numbers and depth for a club like Spurs. And the centre-back unit could be stretched this month when Spurs play seven games in 22 days.
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Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson feels the North Londoners will look to bring in a new centre-half when the transfer window reopens in January.
“I think the squad is light everywhere. They let a lot of players go this summer, so the squad is light in general,” Robinson exclusively told Tottenham News.
“Solanke is a good signing, Richarlison is at the club but we don’t know what his future holds, and Archie Gray, Spence and Davies were the only unused subs [v Newcastle United]. Looking at the coverage in defence, you would expect Gray and Davies to be the full-back covers.
“Without another centre-half on the bench, I do think they’re light. The manager will have sanctioned the exits this summer, though. You only make a signing if it’s right for the club, with the right players available. I believe they need another centre-back in, at least.”
Spurs’ centre-back ranks appear extremely thin, and given the taxing schedule to cope in weeks and months ahead, Ange Postecoglou faces a big challenge when it comes to rotating his squad. Van de Ven’s injury meant Dragusin deputised against Newcastle but that left Davies—a left-back by trade—as the only emergency option on the bench.
Van de Ven was sidelined for months with a hamstring problem last season, and considering how he operates in a high line, there’s always the risk of him pulling up. Romero can be overaggressive at times, resulting in bookings and the sporadic red card. Thus, Danie Levy and Postecoglou should have invested in a centre-back in the past summer transfer window, someone who would’ve come as a cover for the aforementioned group.
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Nonetheless, with the transfer window set to reopen on January 1, Big Ange must cope with the current crop of centre-halves at his disposal and manage their minutes well.
