Radu Dragusin backed to prove his worth at Tottenham Hotspur
There were beaming expectations from him when Tottenham Hotspur signed Radu Dragusin in a winter window a couple years back. And those expectations came citing his performances for Genoa, where he was playing some high-quality football.
But as he came in at Hotspur Way, he saw Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero cement their places at the heart of the defence. With chances barely coming his way, he was trying to make the most out of the substitute appearances that he had to close out the games.
And when the defence got injured and he was finally starting to find his feet, he suffered an ACL injury which put him out for the remainder of the season. And this not only ended up taking away the momentum which he was finally building at N17. While the North Londoners were already short on options, the following windows meant that the chiefs at N17 decided to bring in reinforcements in his position.
Wenham backs Dragusin to come back at his best
And now nearing his comeback, many around the streets of North London have stopped believing in the player he can become. Yet one voice refuses to give up on him. John Wenham, owner of the reputed Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, insisted that the North Londoners can still see the best version of the Romanian defender.
He said (via. Tottenham Hotspur News):
“I think Dragusin has been written off by some fans based on him having to come into a back four that was changing every game last season, or being partnered with an 18-year-old Archie Gray at the back.
“I remember him at the last Euros for Romania, and he was outstanding, and I think people forget that. We’re in a system where we’re not going to be so highly advanced, and we’re going to be more defensively solid.
“There’s no guarantee that Van de Ven and Romero will stay fit and play a 38-game Premier League season, and then hopefully a 60-game season overall. I think the best version of Dragusin can still be seen.”
With the games coming in thick and fast, if he can find his form and sharpness, there is a chance that he can start seeing some considerable minutes at N17.
TTLB Opinion
We agree with Wenham here. Given that Dragusin is still very young and has that technical capacity with the ball at his feet, he will be an interesting fit in Thomas Frank’s side at Hotspur Way. The Dane head coach has adapted a system that is shifting towards defensive solidity with Tottenham and that fits how Dragusin plays.
And given that right now Frank has been running Van de Ven to ground, Dragusin will inevitably find some minutes this season. He just needs to be ready to remind the Lilywhites supporters (and Frank) about everything that he brings to the table.
Yes, he is behind at the moment with his injuries. But given his mentality (that we have seen at display time and again during his international appearances), he can soon be a brilliant option to have.
Do you think Radu Dragusin can get back to his best at Tottenham? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.