Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth explains Tottenham stance on Clement Lenglet deal
A deal to bring Clement Lenglet to Tottenham would be relatively simple for Spurs to complete, according to Sky Sports News presenter Dharmesh Sheth.
New manager Ange Postecoglou is in the market for new centre-backs and Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven has been tipped as a £25million target (The Mirror, 10 July).
Lenglet is, of course, well known to Spurs having spent last season on loan from Barcelona, who are said to be willing to do business on a transfer.
Speaking to the Last Word on Spurs podcast, in quotes reported by the Boot Room, Sheth provided an update on Tottenham’s interest in Lenglet.
“Tosin Adarabioyo as well is someone from Fulham is someone they could get for a lower price, but he’s more on the interest list right now as is Clement Lenglet,” he said.
“You would think that Clement Lenglet would be the easiest deal for Tottenham to do as he wouldn’t command too much of a transfer fee and the relationship is already there.”
A move that makes sense
Tottenham shipped 63 goals in the Premier League last season, a statistic that Ange Postecoglou will have to address immediately as part of his in-tray at the club.
Now admittedly, Lenglet was part of that Spurs defence that so desperately underwhelmed last season but there was so much melodrama going on that he can hardly be apportioned too much of the blame.
It seems pretty plain that Tottenham want at least two centre-backs this window and Van de Ven looks a real prospect but there will remain an element of the unknown about his ability to transition to the Premier League.
In Lenglet, Spurs would be signing a player they are familiar with, one who has played at the top level, and one who will have no issue playing out from the back, which is what Postecoglou will be demanding his defenders do.
The Frenchman is comfortable on the ball, in data provided by FBREF he completed 86.7 per cent of his passes last term, including 96.6 per cent of short passes.
He also registered 1,142 carries, including 27 in the final third of the pitch which shows a willingness to be on the ball even in an unfamiliar area of the pitch.
Lenglet had an aerial duel win success rate of 60.6 per cent, which means he does content reasonably well in the air so it is something that might require some work.
The long and short of it is, Spurs need defenders and Lenglet represents an affordable option, and one who should suit the way Postecoglou wants to play.
In other Tottenham news, here’s what Manor Solomon will bring to Ange Postecoglou’s team next season.