Nacer Chadli is all set to become the fifth player to move out of White Hart Lane among the seven signings Spurs made with the whooping Gareth Bale money three years back. As the Lilywhites step closer to signing Georges-Kevin N’Koudou from Marseille, Chadli’s exit from the North London side looks imminent. The Daily Mirror claims that Spurs are prepared to let the Belgian international go if they get £15m for the 26-year-old and Swansea are prepared to meet the London giants’ demands.
Swansea are not particularly short on numbers out wide with players like Andre Ayew, Modou Barrow, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero but Chadli would still be a welcome signing as he is clearly a big step up on anyone of them but Ayew.
Chadli could never really establish himself as a first-team regular at White Hart Lane over the last three years following his move from Eredivisie side Twente. The Belgian moved further down in the pecking order last season with Erik Lamela’s rise in form and the arrival of Heung-Min Son.
Despite Chadli being in and out of the starting lineup last season, his figures were quite impressive. From just 1682 minutes on the pitch, the 26-year-old tucked in seven goals while providing five assists. With regular game time at Swansea, Chadli’s productivity will definitely improve big time with quality players like Sigurdsson and Ayew alongside him.
Swansea had their troubles in finding the back of the net last season due to the absence of a consistent goal threat last season. However, Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s regular goals from midfield managed to nullify Swansea forwards’ profligacy in front of goal. With Chadli on board, Guidolin will have the freedom of playing either him or Ayew as the false nine even if the Welsh club fails to land a prolific forward although that would be just an option, not the option.
Chadli won’t just be a signing that adds a wealth of quality to the Swansea side but he will offer the manager Guidolin plenty of options when resources get stretched. The 26-year-old is one of the most versatile players out there who is capable of playing on either flank, as a number ten, as a number eight or even as a false nine.
The Belgian has it all in his locker- physical strength, pace, skills, agility, aerial ability. At a club like Swansea, the Belgian will flourish and can reach his peak. Sigurdsson reached his heights at Swansea after moving back to Liberty after being sick and tired of being just a squad player at Spurs and Chadli could well follow the Icelandic international’s footsteps.
This article is written by Craig Kester.
