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Tottenham have no interest in rumoured Bundesliga target

By Rucker Haringey

KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Javier Hernandez of Mexico reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Mexico and Russia at Kazan Arena on June 24, 2017 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Javier Hernandez of Mexico reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Mexico and Russia at Kazan Arena on June 24, 2017 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham aren’t interested in signing Chicharito

German reports linking Tottenham to Bayer Leverkusen striker Chicharito are a summer tradition for Spurs. Whereas the reports may have had validity in previous years, the Mexican international is not currently on Mauricio Pochettino’s radar.

In fairness, Bild generally has a decent pulse on the comings and goings of the Bundesliga. Evidently that doesn’t expand to the Premier League. The German reports claiming that Tottenham are eyeing a bargain move for the prolific Mexican simply don’t make sense.

A few years ago, making a clever swoop for Chicharito would have made a lot of sense. He was never properly utilised by Manchester United and his play for his country clearly demonstrated his ability to score goals at an impressive rate. Chicharito at the age of 25 could have been deadly for Spurs.

Unfortunately, the clever striker will turn 30-years-old in January. There’s a reason that Leverkusen are looking to part with him this summer. They know that his days as a top-flight centre forward are behind him. That’s precisely why they’re willing to accept a modest transfer fee of £15 million for his services.

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It would be easy to miss the drop in his form if you only watch him play for Mexico. When he’s in an El Tri kit he frequently looks like he’s back in his prime. Leverkusen officials know better. They watched him slog through a disappointing Bundesliga campaign.

He managed a reasonable return of 11 goals in 26 league appearances on the year, but he didn’t seem to be moving at top speed any more. Even more concerning is the reality that other parts of his game are starting to slip. He’s never been a complete player, but his defensive contributions have slipped to an almost unplayable level. A Whoscored.com player rating average of 6.89 for a player of his reputation simply isn’t good enough.

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Vincent Janssen may not be the proper backup for Harry Kane, but don’t expect the young Dutchman to be displaced by Chicharito. Whereas Janssen is just entering the prime of his playing career, his Mexican counterpart is just entering a stage of decline. That makes him ill-suited to be a part of Pochettino’s young squad at Tottenham.

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