Tottenham loanee Japhet Tanganga could save his career amid ‘outstanding’ form for Millwall
Tottenham loanee Japhet Tanganga has turned his fortunes in the Championship with Millwall around over the past week.
After a disastrous loan spell in the Bundesliga with FC Augsburg, where he managed a grand total of zero minutes, Tanganga was recalled to Tottenham and sent on loan to Millwall for the second half of the 2023/24 season (Tottenham Hotspur Official Website, 18 January).
He has featured far more frequently with the Lions, making his first competitive appearance in nine months when he came off the bench to make his debut for the London side in their 2-0 defeat away against QPR in the Championship on Saturday 20 January.
He has so far made six appearances for Millwall and after a rocky start across his first four matches which saw him dropped to the bench for the 4-0 home defeat against Ipswich Town on Wednesday 14 February, Tanganga was recalled to the starting lineup and has turned things around in his last two matches.
The 24-year-old put in a confident display against Sheffield Wednesday (17 February) before playing a big part in the 2-1 win away at Southampton on Saturday 24 February, Millwall’s first win in eight matches.
With suggestions that he could be off this summer, the defender will look to do everything he can between now and the end of the season to prove to Ange Postecoglou that he has a future in North London.
Could Japhet Tanganga play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again?
After a difficult start to life at The Den, Tanganga proved against Sheffield Wednesday that he could yet be a key factor as the club look to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Although his side lost 2-0 as they once again failed to score in front of their own supporters for a second consecutive match, it was hard to place much of the blame on the on-loan Spurs man.
As per Sofascore, he made three clearances, three interceptions, two tackles and blocked one shot.
In addition, he won three of his five ground duels, and four of his seven aerial duels and completed 90 per cent of his passes, while he also played five accurate long balls forward from the six which he attempted.
Unfortunately, his performance wasn’t enough to save his boss Joe Edwards, who was relieved of his duties following the defeat and replaced by club legend Neil Harris.
And in Harris’ first match back in charge at Millwall, Tanganga built on his display against Sheffield Wednesday and inspired his side to a 2-1 victory away at promotion-chasing Southampton.
His goal after five minutes gave the visitors the lead, and after they had regained that lead from the spot through Zian Flemming following Che Adama’s equaliser, Tanganga was crucial in helping his team hold on for a big three points.
He made an incredible 14 clearances, blocked two shots and made one clearance off the line as well as one last-man tackle.
In addition, he won two of his three ground duels and two of his four aerial duels, and Harris was delighted with his defender’s performance after the match (via Bein Sports, 24 February).
“I thought we defended our box superbly today and Japhet was outstanding, absolutely excellent.”
If he continues in this form, he could yet save his fortunes in N17 and Spurs supporters might not have seen the last of the Englishman at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou must hand a chance to one Under-21 Spurs ace after his record-breaking performance on Saturday.
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