Tottenham have been very busy in the ongoing January transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to bring in highly rated Santos defender Souza to Hotspur Way in the ongoing winter transfer window. And the early verdict from South American experts insists that the North Londoners may have secured one of the smartest signings of this January.
Souza business gets high praise from Tim Vickery
There has been a lot of interest in the 19-year-old of late, given his performances in the Brazilian top tier. And now respected journalist and South American football expert Tim Vickery insists that this move from Tottenham to pounce on his signature has seen them land someone who has an extremely high ceiling.
Vickery was singing high praise of the Lilywhites signing in his latest interview with talkSPORT. He said:
“Terrific business. I like him very much. He’s a good left-back. Physically strong, skilful, and a good footballer. He can defend, he can attack.
“He obviously wants the move, and Tottenham came in with eight million (initially), not nearly enough. Santos were relishing a little bit of an auction for him to push the price up. It seems he wants Tottenham, and I would be very happy to see him come in. Maybe not immediately straight away, but he’s on Ancelotti’s radar as a left-back for Brazil, so I think he’s very, very promising indeed.”
Souza comes in with high expectations
Souza comes to Tottenham with big expectations on his shoulders. Many expect that Tottenham will develop him carefully under Thomas Frank’s tutelage rather than throwing him straight into the deep end. But given his profile (or at least from what we have seen of him in Brazil), you’d expect him to quickly challenge Destiny Udogie for that left-back spot at Hotspur Way.
Udogie has been inconsistent with his performances this season. It could be down to his consistent injury problems as well. And this is where getting some genuine competition for his place in the eleven can end up benefitting both the players. Souza has this two-way ability which fits the modern full-back role as well as aligns with the desire among the officials at Hotspur Way to build a young core at N17.
Author Opinion
Tottenham have had quite an underwhelming season at N17. And this, more, while it feels like a statement right now, is done with more of a long-term idea than a short-term fix. And given that he is just nineteen (19) right now, he has time to develop his physical and technical tools whilst getting some minutes under his belt at Tottenham.
And with Carlo Ancelotti already helping his progress with Brazil, it looks like Tottenham have brought in someone who can rise sharply into one of the best fullbacks in the league in a few seasons’ time.
That being said, Tottenham have to develop him quite carefully and ensure that he takes strides in his game after arriving from Brazil and does not stall his way as we have seen from lots of young players moving to Europe.
How excited are you with the prospects of having Souza at Hotspur Way?