Tottenham zeroing in on two potential Alderweireld replacements

Tottenham will spend big to replace Alderweireld

Much to the chagrin of Tottenham fans around the globe, it appears that Toby Alderweireld will be leaving Spurs this summer. Fortunately, the club appear poised to spend big on his replacements. Both of the players Tottenham are eyeing up as potential replacements would cost Tottenham a hefty transfer fee.

English sources allege that Mauricio Pochettino and company have identified Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles and Ajax centre back Matthijs de Ligt as primary summer targets. Neither is as accomplished as Alderweireld is at this point in his career, but both are very talented prospects in their own right. You can be sure that Newcastle and Ajax will both be keen to hold on to their defensive stars.

It’s hard to imagine either defender moving to North London for less than £40 million. The real question is which player is the better potential replacement for Alderweireld.

Lascelles has the advantage of experience. He’s already a proven commodity in the Premier League. The young Englishman is enjoying a terrific campaign for Rafa Benitez this season. Moving to Tottenham would require him adjusting to life under Pochettino, but he would not need time to learn the tendencies of Premier League attackers. At 24 years of age he strikes a fine balance between untapped potential and physical maturity.

In sharp contrast, purchasing de Ligt would be a much more speculative purchase. Yes, Tottenham’s last defensive purchase from Ajax worked out pretty well. De Ligt isn’t nearly as physically mature as Davinson Sanchez was when he moved to Spurs this summer though. He is more skilled with the ball than his former Colombian teammate, but he’d need an adjustment period to find his feet in the Premier League.