View: Tottenham would be foolish to let versatile Ivan Perisic go after impressive campaign
Tottenham desperately need to bring in young and exciting players this summer if they are to enjoy a strong season in all competitions.
But experience will also be key, and there are not many more experienced players at the club than veteran Croatian Ivan Perisic.
The 34-year-old has done it all in his lengthy career, with the versatile wing-back boasting over 200 Serie A appearances and almost 150 Bundesliga appearances.
Perisic also now has 34 Premier League appearances, as well as the small matter of 48 Champions League appearances and 127 caps for the Croatia national team.
Such experience is very hard to come by, as is the player’s versatility, with Perisic proving he can operate on either wing or in a wing-back role.
However, Tottenham could lose all of that this summer, with the 34-year-old close to a return to his homeland with a move to Hajduk Split [Gianluca Di Marzio, 6 July].
It would be a foolish move from new manager Ange Postecoglou to let the Croatian go, with Perisic helping out at both ends of the pitch last season.
The former Inter Milan man chipped in a goal and 12 assists from his 44 appearances in all competitions, showing both his talents in the final third and indeed his superb energy levels.
Moreover, Perisic 3.20 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League, as per fbref.
And in defensive terms, the veteran registered 1.79 tackles per 90, 1.24 blocks and 0.94 interceptions, with his errors per 90 very low at 0.04, as per fbref.
There aren’t many serial trophy winners in the current Tottenham squad, and even if there are in the future, none will come close to Perisic, who lifted Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund and a Serie A title with Inter Milan.
In other Tottenham news, one pundit has backed summer signing James Maddison to shine under Postecoglou at the North London club.