According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tottenham Hotspur are set to challenge arch-rivals Arsenal in the pursuit of Joachim Andersen. AS Roma are also courting the Sampdoria defender. But, it’s Arsenal who are willing to pay around €50 million for Andersen and his teammate Dennis Praet this summer.
However, Tottenham’s interest in the defender could provide a massive threat to Arsenal’s chances of singing the Sampdoria star. That means they need to act swiftly if they are to secure the services of Andersen next season.
Joachim Andersen’s magnificent campaign at Sampdoria
Andersen has become one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders, thanks to an incredibly successful campaign with Sampdoria. He initially arrived at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris back in 2017. But, the Dane could only make seven league appearances during his debut campaign with the club.
This season, however, Andersen has been an ever-present figure in the Sampdoria backline, making 32 league appearances. Indeed, he has done well to replace current Empoli defender Matias Silvestre and has built a formidable defensive partnership with Lorenzo Tonelli.
What can Andersen provide to the table?
Andersen is advertised as a ball-playing centre-back, who is not afraid to venture forward and pick out midfielders or forwards with his accurate passes. The 23-year-old attained a pass accuracy of 88% during the 2018/19 campaign.
He also has a good sense of positioning that allows him to cut off passing lanes or neutralise any potential counter-attacking opportunities. The Dane has averaged 1.1 interceptions per game.
But, what makes Andersen such a sought after defender is his aerial prowess. The Sampdoria star boasts a tall frame of 192cm, which gives him a considerable advantage in the air. It also makes him a threat from set-pieces, with the defender winning 2.3 headed duels per game this past season.
Why should Arsenal make a move for Andersen?
Andersen would be a perfect signing for Arsenal considering their struggles in the defensive department, of late. Shkodran Mustafi has appeared inconsistent while Laurent Koscielny is already in the final phase of his career.
As for the young defensive duo of Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavrapanos, both of them have suffered from injuries. Hence, the addition of Andersen will provide Unai Emery with much-needed depth in defence.
The Dane, as discussed earlier, is also a ball-playing defender, which could make him an ideal defensive partner to Sokratis Papastathopoulos. While the Greek international’s no-nonsense defensive approach will solidify the defence, Andersen’s ability to pick out passes and distribute possession could add another dimension to the Arsenal backline – making him a viable target for the Gunners.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
