Tottenham dispatched scouts to watch Youri Tielemans
Any Spurs fan who watched the club struggle in their 1-0 loss to Gent yesterday understands that midfield additions are a requirement this summer. Fortunately, Spurs scouts have already been dispatched to watch an ideal addition for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
This wasn’t the first time Tottenham officials have watched Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans, but it does show just how serious Pochettino is about the 19-year-old starlet. Spurs scouts watched him play a full 90 minutes in his club’s 2-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg.
In many ways, Tielemans is the perfect player for Tottenham to target this summer. Firstly, he’s another young, athletic player to add to Pochettino’s stable of talent. The club won’t have huge money to spend this summer due to the new stadium construction, so they’ll need to purchase players they can grow into superstars.
Tielemans fits the bill at just 19 years of age. He also already has valuable Champions League experience. He’s got the perfect blend of age and experience to contribute right away in the Premier League. Tielemans isn’t an untested starlet who’s going to need months to bed into the squad.
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His Belgian nationality also could be a huge plus. Spurs already have a healthy contingent of his countrymen. Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen already play prominent roles for both Spurs and the Belgium national side. If he were to make the move to North London, he would have a ready made support system to help him adjust to the cultural differences between Belgium and London.
Most importantly, purchasing Tielemans would help Pochettino address one of his squad’s most glaring weaknesses. Currently Spurs have a solid collection of defensive midfielders, but they really don’t have a dynamic box-to-box midfielder to turn to off the bench. Tilemans’ athleticism and skill on the ball would make him an ideal plan B off Pochettino’s bench.
Predictably, Spurs aren’t the only club interested in bringing Tielemans to the Premier League. Manchester United, in particular, has showed more than a passing interest. Even so, you have to think Tottenham could get a deal done if they made him a priority.
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As always, the deal will come down to money. If Tottenham can get the Anderlecht star for anything under £20 million they won’t hesitate. A transfer right at that number would allow both the Belgian and English clubs to win the deal.