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Tottenham must defeat Atletico and Juventus

By Rucker Haringey

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JANUARY 22 : Youri Tielemans midfielder of RSC Anderlecht scores his penalty during the Jupiler Pro League match between RSC Anderlecht and Sint-Truidense VV at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium on January 22, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, 22/01/2017 ( Photo by Jimmy Bolcina / Photonews via Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JANUARY 22 : Youri Tielemans midfielder of RSC Anderlecht scores his penalty during the Jupiler Pro League match between RSC Anderlecht and Sint-Truidense VV at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium on January 22, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, 22/01/2017 ( Photo by Jimmy Bolcina / Photonews via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham need to win this summer battle

Mauricio Pochettino has been pretty upfront with everyone with his belief that Tottenham won’t be doing any business in January. That doesn’t mean Spurs will be quiet this summer though. The North London club need to move swiftly to defeat Juventus and Atletico Madrid for Youri Tielemans when the summer window opens.

Reports from Belgium claim that Tielemans is all but certain to leave Anderlecht this summer. His own manager admitted as much yesterday. The real question is which European power will be able to secure Tielemans’ signature when the transfer window reopens.

Tottenham have scouted the box-to-box midfielder extensively over the past year. It’s very obvious to see what Pochettino likes in the 19-year-old. He has the athleticism and body type to play anywhere in the midfield. Tielemans can easily play as either a defensive or attacking midfield in Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 setup.

Interestingly enough, Tielemans won’t necessarily go to the highest bidder. While Juventus, Atletico and Tottenham are all expected to make strong bids, the talented midfielder is looking for the right club to advance his career. That’s precisely why Spurs need to make sure their bid puts them on equal footing with their competition.

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Pochettino should work to sell Tielemans on his history of bringing young players through to the first team. Spurs may have a bit of a crowded roster in the midfield, but Poch can point to Harry Winks as a sign of how he’s willing to thrust an unproven player ahead of more established options in his pecking order. Winks began the season on the fringe of the first team, but has earned a valuable role as the club’s top midfield substitute.

With all due respect to Winks, Tielemans is a more talented player. He’s more athletic than his English counterpart and has superior ability carrying the ball forward. He may not have the feel for the match that defines Winks’ game, but his offensive ceiling is considerably higher.

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That’s precisely why Tottenham need to snap him up this summer. Letting Juventus or Atletico beat them to the punch for Tielemans could cost them quite a bit of money in their quest to add midfield options for the future.

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