Tottenham target summer move for promising midfielder

Amadou Haidara has impressed in Red Bull Salzburg’s Europa League run.

According to The S un, the Malian midfielder is on Mauricio Pochettino’s shortlist as he looks to find a long-term replacement for Mousa Dembele. He is a top prospect, although he is still raw, but that is to be expected from a young player. Dembele has 18 months left on his contract with Tottenham and negotiations are ongoing for an improved deal. It is reported that he wants at least £100,000 a week.

Haidara has the right attributes to fill in for Dembele because he excels at dispossessing the opposition and blocking passing lanes, as well as progressing play up the pitch through his dribbling. He doesn’t quite have Dembele’s ridiculous successful dribble numbers, but he has impressed in the Europa League so far. The fact that he is only 20-years-old means he has plenty of time to improve as well.

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He does need to improve in circulating possession, though. Key passes are another area where he is weak, but that isn’t as important in a deep midfield role. However, recycling possession is key in order to keep the opposition’s shape moving as well as ensuring that the creative players receive the ball in the right areas. His pass success percentage is a lowly 68.4% in the Europa League currently.

Pochettino has vast experience in developing players, so these issues could easily be ironed out through continuous development on the training pitch under the Argentine’s watchful eye.

Tottenham’s intelligent transfer strategy

Acquiring Haidara would be another smart transfer from Tottenham. He is not only a talented prospect, but also helps solve a key long-term issue in the team. It’s unclear whether Pochettino, the board or a mixture of both are behind their transfer strategy. Regardless, their approach is sustainable as well as producing results.

The club, and Pochettino in particular, deserve plaudits for how they integrate young players into the first-team. These have been a mixture of academy graduates such as Harry Winks and targeted signings such as Davinson Sanchez. The continued success of the team and these individuals is testament to Pochettino’s excellent coaching and the willingness of the club to give first-team opportunities to youngsters.

As a highly competitive league, the Premier League encourages a results driven short-term approach due to the high financial rewards. However, Spurs have found a way around that which is a positive sign for English football.

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