Tottenham Hotspur’s excellent campaign could be further enhanced as the North London club have been linked with Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka. Tottenham already have a number of quite illustrious players and the addition of the German international would make them a serious title contender.
Despite their efforts in the last couple of seasons, Spurs couldn’t hold on to their position in the Premier League but they came very close last season. Despite Chelsea’s dominance and consistency, they kept competing till the last moment but their loss to West Ham United blocked their path to their maiden Premier League title and Mauricio Pochettino now wants to break that hoodoo.
Goretzka has emerged as one of the hottest German prospects and a bidding war is set to start in the January transfer window. The 22-year-old will be available for a knockdown price in winter but his current possessors Schalke have reportedly poured cold water on all the possibilities of his departure.
The German club could have cashed in on him but have now decided to hold the player till the season as it might interrupt proceedings midway through the season.
The German international has flourished as one of the top-class midfielders of his generation. The lanky youngster can be equally effective as a deep-lying playmaker but he is well suited to the box to box role where he can make the biggest impact.
Blessed with acute techniques, he can thwart the opposition attacks with his intense interceptions and his solid breaking up play. His combative nature in the middle of the pitch allows him to indulge in duels and he can stabilise things in the centre of the park with his superior vision of the game.
He can also burst into the opposition box and is likely to play a key role in the upcoming World Cup for Germany. Pochettino does have Dele Alli at his disposal but the absence of a proper cover for him could blow them cold.
Goretzka has a very long admiring list as the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus have been waiting to pounce on the player. Tottenham saw their effort to sign Ross Barkley from Everton evaporated and it looks unlikely to divulge their interest in the midfielder. The English international is struggling with an injury and is yet to make an appearance this season.
In the last few years, Spurs have emerged as a potential force in the Premier League and their recent triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League is a solid example of that. The inclusion of a player like Goretzka might help establish themselves as a truly feared rival in Europe as well.
