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Tottenham need a new right back more than a new left back

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Leroy Sane of Manchester CClaudio Bravo of Manchester City battles for possesion with Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Leroy Sane of Manchester CClaudio Bravo of Manchester City battles for possesion with Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Kieran Trippier isn’t good enough to start for Tottenham

Much has been written about Tottenham’s need to sign a new left back in January. The unfortunate reality is that Spurs need to purchase a new right back much more.

The club’s recent debacle at Manchester City should serve as the death knell to any notion that Kieran Trippier can be a starting fullback for Spurs. If Mauricio Pochettino is really expected to build a squad capable of challenging for a Premier League title, he can’t have such a weak link at right back.

Leroy Sane abused the English fullback time and time again in City’s 4-1 romp. Sadly, he isn’t the only wide man in the league capable of making Trippier look so foolish. Trippier’s lack of speed and athleticism make him a poor option to deploy against truly elite opposition.

In fairness, he can be a useful backup. In matches where Spurs will enjoy loads of possession he can be an excellent weapon out on the wing. He is one of the better crossers of the ball in England. While that isn’t necessarily a perfect skill for the current Tottenham attack, it does have its uses.

Pochettino’s only other option at right back currently is former PSG star Serge Aurier. He certainly has the athletic gifts that his teammate lacks, but his mental approach to the game is uneven at best. It’s difficult to imagine Pochettino entrusting him to start matches at the highest echelon. The Ivory Coast defender may develop into a trusted member of the Spurs squad, but it’s going to take some time for him to earn his way into Pochettino’s top XI.

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As such, Pochettino essentially has two above-average backup right backs at the moment. The club are in desperate need of a player who can perform at the highest level both physically and mentally. Combining Trippier and Aurier would be perfect, but alas science hasn’t prepared us for that as of yet.

Ironically, the left back situation is quite the opposite. Danny Rose was my Man of the Match against City and Ben Davies has been one of Pochettino’s best players on the early season. Neither represent the perfect left back, but both are more than capable of playing big matches against high-quality opponents. I happen to prefer Rose’s athleticism to Davies’ skill, but that’s just a personal preference.

Yes, Tottenham would need to buy a new left back if they elected to sell Rose in January, but that’s far from a given. Pochettino’s decision to go against his normal rotation and start Rose against City was a big sign in his belief in the English defender. It’s very possible reports of frayed relationships between the two were greatly exaggerated.

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Despite this logic, you can fully expect the English press to continue to inundate us with stories about how Tottenham need to retool their left back position for the foreseeable future. Nary a word will be written elsewhere on Spurs need to upgrade the right back spot. That should be a much more pressing issue for Pochettino and company.

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