Should Tottenham sign this 22-year-old technically proficient centre-back this summer? – Opinion

As Thomas Frank takes charge of the proceedings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the North Londoners are expecting to shift from the hasty positional approach that they deployed under Ange Postecoglou into more of a structured system that operates on intelligence and zonal understanding. But that’s not the only thing that the former Brentford manager is expected to change; he is also expected to bring in that system-driven recruitment strategy which drives itself on data which he used successfully for years at Gtech Community Stadium.

And if you take into consideration the Lilywhites move for a new centre-back, it’s going to take turns in a likewise manner as Daniel Levy & Co. go from big-name marquee targets into a more structured approach where they are linked with high-value players who have the capacity to make an impact if signed at N17.

This is where the Lilywhites links with a move for Genoa defender Koni De Winter make sense, given how the 22-year-old centre-back has gone on to do quite well for the Italian outfit in the previous seasons, which have ended up attracting the attention of the North Londoners. Bringing in the Belgian could end up adding a lot to Thomas Frank’s roster, as former Juventus manager Max Allegri has described him as a player with “good technical quality”.

Koni De Winter is an interesting profile who can end up quite working through with the system that the Dane head coach is expected to implement at Tottenham.

Koni De Winter – What does he bring to the table?

Strengths

The Juventus academy graduate likes to operate in a tactical setup where he can slot in seamlessly in changing shapes in-game, given how he has operated in both a back three and back four, covering both RCB and RB at Genoa under Alberto Gilardino. And this comes out ideally for Thomas Frank, given how he likes to keep on shufflinghis defensive line from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 and even a back five depending on opponent and game state.

The Belgian international is someone who is quite a calm figure at the back, which plays through in his ability to play out from the back without opting for long clearances when facing compounding pressure. And he is quite good at getting the ball in the tight zones and then pinging those simple yet effective passes into the second phase (which could be ideal for the North Londoners who are expected to put in a structured buildup under Thomas Frank).

When we are speaking about his abilities in the air, he is more than capable of using his 1.91m m stature in a positive way – and then if you consider the awareness that he has while defending set-pieces and the confidence that he boasts in aerial duels, it will give Tottenham some sense of stability, especially considering how the Lilywhites struggled at it in the last season.

And if you consider that he is still only 22 and possesses a very high ceiling, he can go on to refine his skills into a world-beating defender under a coach like Thomas Frank, who has gained a reputation for refining Robert’s mouldable defenders (e.g., Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer at Brentford).

Weaknesses

That being said, there are still a few things which could come through as weaknesses for De Winter. To start with, he is not the quickest in explosiveness (in that first 5 to 10 yards). So if he ends up being isolated in transitions, then he would struggle to keep up with the pacey forwards, and this is why Thomas Frank will need to pair him with someone who is more aggressive and has more recovery pace (someone like Micky van de Ven from the current roster at N17).

Moreover, while he is still showing a solid composure in more methodical Serie A sequences, the Premier League demands faster decision-making, and the fact that he is occasionally being caught out by those sharp inside runs from the right flank when playing as an RCB means he might still need to learn how to position himself in high-tempo games.

How can Koni De Winter tactically fit in at Tottenham?

So if we are speaking about a 4-3-3 structure, then the Juventus Academy centre back will slot in as a right back beside Van De Ven on the left. He can also act as a composed passer in the two CBs whilst allowing his defensive partner to be more aggressive. And if I am comparing him directly with someone like Cristian Romero, then Koni is more of a secure option.

You can also play as an RCB in a back three (3-4-2/3-4-3) very start with covering for aggressive wingbacks like Pedro Porro. And this allows Tottenham to transition between structures. Especially when they are protecting a lead. And you can possibly make him play as a pseudo right-back with the ball when Frank wants to build wide.

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• TTLB Opinion: Should Tottenham be worried about Van de Ven to Real Madrid or is it all agent talks?

Author Opinion

Given that Koni De Winter is versatile and has that coachability about him, Thomas Frank would love to have a press-resistant option like him in his roster, especially given how he is not scared of tactical tweaks. Moreover, if we are talking about the Belgian ace, I think he comes in as a fourth CB option this summer and then has that space to grow into a starting role; he will bring balance to a backline that too often lacks control in high-stress moments.