Kota Takai is set to be a part of the first team at Tottenham Hotspur after arriving from Kawasaki Frontale last week
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank must utilise the transfer market to build a squad to compete on multiple fronts, including the Champions League, next season.
The Lilywhites had to bolster their defence after conceding a whopping 65 goals in the Premier League last season. With that in mind, Spurs completed the signing of Japanese prospect Kota Takai in a £5 million deal from J-League club Kawasaki Frontale last week. The likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were also interested, but Tottenham won the race for the Japanese defender in a record deal.
Highly rated across the Asian market, Kota Takai made 78 appearances for Kawasaki Frontale before signing for Spurs. The youngster will be a first-team player for Tottenham this upcoming campaign, although there is a notable gulf in quality between the J-League and the Premier League which could initially prove tough for the centre-back to bridge.
Reputed Football London journalist Alasdair Gold revealed in June that Spurs technical director Johan Lange played a key role behind Takai’s signing. There is no doubt that the young South Asian could be a valuable player for Thomas Frank, who will have a decision to make on him after evaluating his performances over the pre-season tour.
John Wenham expects Kota Takai to stay at Tottenham until at least January
Spurs were severely affected by injuries last season, which became one of the primary factors behind their disappointing Premier League campaign. The defensive unit suffered the most, with Radu Dragusin sustaining an ACL rupture at the end of January.
The injury ruled him out for the rest of the season, and while the Romanian is back on grass, he still remains a long way off from returning to competitive action. As a result, Frank will be with one less defender heading into his first season with Tottenham, and reputable podcast owner John Wenham feels this could pave the road for Takai to remain at the club.
“They’ll look at him (Takai) over pre-season and then decide whether he’s best served,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“If he isn’t to get enough game time, then a loan could be arranged. However, it might be that he hangs around with the squad until January because Dragusin is still injured now, and will be out for a couple more months. I’m sure Frank will look at Takai over pre-season, but there’s a lot of competition.
“Ashley Phillips, Alfie Dorrington, who had a hugely successful loan at Aberdeen. Luka Vuskovic has joined the club as well. It’s absolutely stacked in that centre-back role and over preseason, decisions will be made as to who’s going to go out on loan.”
Kota Takai decision hinges over pre-season impression
Young central defenders such as Ashley Phillips, Alfie Dorrington and Luka Vuskovic have all returned to the club from successful loan spells. And with senior defenders Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven and Kevin Danso already present, Spurs are well-stocked in the defensive department.
Thus, chances of Takai leaving on loan remains high, even if Dragusin takes a few more months to recover fully from his ACL injury and return. All in all, Frank will certainly assess Takai’s performances over the pre-season before deciding whether he should stay at the club or leave on loan.
