Probably the biggest player playing outside Europe’s top five leagues right now is Andriy Yarmolenko and it is really surprising to believe that a player of the Ukrainian’s ability is still plying his trade for Dynamo Kyiv. We have seen the 26-year-old getting linked with plenty of top European clubs overs the last few seasons but the Ukrainian wizard never really attracted a concrete interest from abroad. The three-time Ukrainian Player of the Year is once again linked with a move to Premier League and this time, it is Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs who are keeping tabs on the star winger.
Spurs picked up their first win of the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on Saturday with summer signing Victor Wanyama bagging the winner. However, Spurs did not really storm the transfer market this time out having made just two signings with Wanyama and Janssen. It was obvious from the North London side’s display that they need more firepower up front and Yarmolenko is a player who is more than capable of providing that.
Yarmolenko is primarily a winger who likes to operate from the right flank. With real venom in his left foot, Yarmolenko is regular goal-threat. From 324 appearances for Dynamo Kyiv till date, the Ukrainian international has already scored 128 goals providing 84 assists. With 25 goals from 62 international appearances, Yarmolenko is a proven performer for his country as well and for just £18m, he would be a real coup.
Yarmolenko has the quality to become a regular feature at Spurs week in week out. Thanks to his natural fitness, ability to create as well as score and willingness to contribute, the Ukrainian is a big upgrade over either Lamela or Son or Chadli. Lamela’s best ever season saw him produce 11 goals and 10 assists which Yarmolenko can easily overshadow.
With Champions League football at the club, Spurs need more quality and depth in every department and the addition of the three-time Ukrainian Player of the Year will offer Pochettino that quality. Spurs looked a bit off-colour so far this season and a player like Yarmolenko can change the whole scenario with his quality.
When you get a player of Yarmolenko’s caliber for just £18m, you should not have a second thought. It will be a signing that can make Spurs real title contenders this season too.
