Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up a move for Swansea City centre-half Alfie Mawson as Mauricio Pochettino looks to strengthen his back line ahead of yet another tiresome season. The Lilywhites had the best defensive record in the Premier League last season following their second-placed finish, and the Argentine boss has a lot riding on him for the next season.
Pochettino was hugely indebted to his defensive midfielder Eric Dier last term, who had adapted brilliantly to the three-man defence setup time and again when Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld took turns in getting sidelined with injuries. But, it did leave a gap in the midfield alongside Victor Wanyama who had to shoulder double duties as a result.
The failure of Austrian centre-half Kevin Wimmer to impress was a big problem for Pochettino, who had to even resort to young Cameron Carter-Vickers in some of the crucial games. But given the 19-year-old’s inexperience, the Argentine manager ended up overworking his first team backline. The levels set by the Belgian duo has proved to be too much for Wimmer and he has been put to sale by the North London club for £20 million.
Tottenham are desperately seeking potential replacements for him as they are determined to make a mark in their European campaign next season, and Mawson looks like a perfect fit. The Swansea centre-half has managed to draw huge attention from top Premier clubs in an underwhelming domestic campaign for the South Wales club.
He has been almost a regular at the club playing 36 times in all competitions and scoring six goals in the process. Although Swansea is credited with one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League last season, conceding 70 goals, Mawson’s intelligent game reading and vision made him a standout player at Liberty Stadium.
An academy product of Brentford, the London-born defender’s progress could be merited to the numerous loan stints he had to undertake. He spent time with numerous lower tier clubs like Maidenhead United, Luton Town, Welling United and Wycombe Wanderers before Barnsley got him on a free transfer in 2015.
His impressive displays there led to Premier League side Swansea picking him up last summer, and given Tottenham’s interest, he seems to have continued his progress well. He debuted for the England Under 21s in 2016, and the first team is surely the next target.
Mawson was, however, not Spurs’ first target in that role but after former Premier League Champions Leicester City snapped up Harry Maguire, the Swansea man looks like the next best option.
