‘Dragusin doomed at Tottenham’ as approach made for Serie A gem
Radu Dragusin faces a fight for his Tottenham future next season amid the likely arrival of new boss Thomas Frank.
The defender’s unsteady start to his time in North London was compounded when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in February.
Dragusin’s return is not expected until at least October, and the Romanian could face an uphill battle to make an impression on the incoming manager.
Tottenham make defensive enquiry
Dragusin was signed by Spurs in January 2024, joining from Genoa for around £25million.
The 23-year-old was signed amid a defensive crisis for Ange Postecoglou, but struggled for minutes on the pitch in the months following his arrival.
The first extended string of starts eventually came in November, when defensive absences surged once again.
Dragusin was often tasked with accompanying young midfielder Archie Gray in the centre of defence, as Postecoglou looked to cope with the absences of both Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven.
But in the first half of Tottenham’s final Europa League group stage match, against Elfsborg, the defender fell awkwardly, and scans later confirmed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament – a season-ending injury.
While already facing the notoriously difficult adaptation to life following knee surgery for a footballer, Dragusin may now have further worries to contemplate.
According to RMC Sport (8 June), Tottenham and Manchester United have made enquiries about AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka.
Ndicka, 25, joined the Serie A giants in 2023 and is valued at around £34m.
The Frenchman has caught the eye of Spurs in the past and could pose a threat to Dragusin’s hopes of a new lease of life under the incoming Frank.
Frank’s Tottenham set-up could provide new opportunities
One possible reprieve for Dragusin at Tottenham could come in the set-up of the man likely to take over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Frank has often opted for three centre-backs during his time in charge at Brentford, preferring his team’s solidity to dominate through the middle of the pitch.
However, the Dane switched to a four-back system in the second half of the season, with the Bees finding improved form following the change.
If Frank is to re-establish that set-up at Spurs, however, Dragusin could find himself in the picture – even if Ndicka is signed.