Juan Foyth could become Harry Winks’ partner in the Tottenham midfield
Tottenham have strong interest in signing a new midfielder in January. Is it possible Juan Foyth could emerge as the player Pochettino covets?
It’s a little unorthodox to suggest that a young player who conceded two penalties in his last match should receive increased playing time moving forward. However, that’s just what we’re suggesting when it comes to Tottenham’s young Argentine Juan Foyth.
We are not, however, suggesting that he displace someone like Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez or Jan Vertonghen in the back line. Instead, we’re advocating for Foyth to be moved further up the pitch. The simple truth is he plays more like a midfielder than a centre back.
Most of his eye-catching moments during the past two matches have come when he’s shown the willingness to carry the ball forward. That can be a liability when playing in the central defense, but it’s encouraged by Mauricio Pochettino when it comes to his defensive midfielders.
Imagine, for a moment, Foyth as the long-term partner with Harry Winks in Spurs’ double-pivot. Foyth clearly has the size and defensive ability that Winks can’t muster from his slight frame. He also possesses the ability to carry the ball forward past opposing defenders. That’s another weakness in Winks’ game at the moment.
The two could form together as a perfect partnership. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight, but Pochettino should start working on the possibility immediately. It’s at least possible that Foyth is the dynamic midfielder Tottenham have been looking for in the transfer market. He isn’t the ready made star Spurs fans want to see arrive in January, but he could develop into a real star in the midfield.
In all honesty, he’s already shown more proclivity to carry the ball past defenders than either Mousa Dembele or Eric Dier. He’d need some real drilling on reading the game from the midfield, but his instincts at centre back should prove helpful in that regard. Again, he’s going to need time on the training ground to make this adjustment, but it’s a potentially club altering move available for Spurs.
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At worst, drilling Foyth in the midfield would give him a path to more playing time in the immediate future. Tottenham will likely lose him if they can’t find a way to get him more involvement as the season progresses. At best, he could develop into the perfect midfield partner for Winks for years to come. It’s a bit of an odd duo, but sometimes those are the best midfield pairings.