Willy Gnonto swap with Leeds United for Joe Rodon ‘interesting’ with Ange Postecoglou certain for Tottenham transfers
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Willy Gnonto may be a “great player” but Paul Robinson doubts that he would be able to get into the Tottenham side at present.
The Leeds United attacker has been linked to a potential move to Spurs with Ange Postecoglou short of options amid an extensive injury crisis [Football.London, 30 November], and with star man Son Heung-min set for the Asian Cup in the New Year, while the presence of Joe Rodon on loan at Elland Road raises the prospect of a potential swap deal to bring him to North London.
But while Sky Sports pundit Robinson does expect the Tottenham boss to strengthen in the winter window, and admits a deal incorporating the permanent exit of the Welsh defender would be “interesting to see”, says the Italy international “doesn’t get near” the Spurs line-up right now.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “You look at Willy Gnonto and yes he’s a great player, yes he’s had an excellent season with Leeds last year, but can he do it week-in, week-out in the Premier League at a club like Tottenham?
“For me, at the moment, you look at Tottenham’s starting XI and he doesn’t get near it.
“There’s a lot of quality players at that club. Whether Tottenham would be interested in a deal [for Rodon] that saw Gnonto go the other way, it would be interesting to see.
“But Ange is certainly going to put his own touch on the squad, his own players into that side, and whether Gnonto’s one of them, for me he doesn’t go into that Spurs team at the moment.”
Postecoglou is bound to want reinforcements in attack if he can get them and there is a certain logic in using the Rodon option to help bring in a talented young forward.
But 20-year-old Gnonto isn’t currently getting a start for Daniel Farke in the Championship so it would be a risk to expect him to come in and plug the gap left by someone like Son.
The Leeds man did prove to be an exciting addition to the Premier League last season so as a longer-term prospect perhaps something could be worked out, but with the manager surely needing to target players who can help immediately next month this would have to be one that is revisited at a later date.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou’s issue at Spurs is clear as duo destroyed by former manager.