In the summer transfer window, Tottenham made some defensive reinforcements, bringing in the likes of Davinson Sanchez, Serge Aurier and Juan Foyth. The area which needed Mauricio Pochettino’s immediate attention was not prioritized in the transfer window and Tottenham couldn’t really remedy their lack of genuine pace through the wings. It is quite apparent from the Burnley, Swansea and Chelsea game to an extent, that the inability to exploit the wide areas and the lack of pace has often hurt them against oppositions willing to sit deep.
The latest player Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with is Everton’s £11m January signing Ademola Lookman. After an excellent first season with Charlton Athletic where he bagged 12 goals in 34 appearances for the club in all competitions, he has had only a few opportunities and is quite down the pecking order at Everton. Having made a dream debut scoring against Manchester City in the Premier League last season, the attacking midfielder has found opportunities hard to come by. Tottenham can pounce on the opportunity to lure the youngster away from the Goodison Park.
Despite his height, he is not that easy to knock off the ball. The 19-year-old is blessed with some excellent pace and skills. He has the ability to drive through defenders and his turn of pace makes him even more threatening for opposition defenders to deal with.
His goals have come from all areas of the box and generally hits the ball quite powerfully when he shoots. The Englishman also has a knack of taking on the defenders and can leave them for dead with his pace. Having the dribbling ability and balance, he has the ability to get through a heavy traffic. He can even be utilized as a substitute to inject pace and energy into the game against an opposition which have barricaded themselves deep into their own half.
Notwithstanding all of this, he is not an aerial threat. Lookman is also quite raw and will need time and experience to compete at the top level. Tottenham’s Argentine gaffer is known to work with youngsters and help them in their development. Even though he will not go straight into the first team, he may be slowly integrated into the first team provided he performs well. He surely has the hunger and potential and would represent a signing keeping in mind the future for Spurs.
Lookman can be deployed on the wing or even as a forward and could turn out to an excellent option to add to the attacking arsenal. With depth an important element to compete at the top level, he will surely add to the number of quality options in the squad.
Tottenham will have to move quickly if they are to acquire his services, with several other top clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal monitoring the situation.
