According to Independent, Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Samuel Umtiti in this January transfer window. It is believed Barcelona are keen to part ways with the Frenchman, which has put the Premier League club on red alert. However, the Lilywhites could face competition from Arsenal and Manchester United in the pursuit of Umtiti. But, is he the right man for Jose Mourinho?
Umtiti’s decline at Barca
Although regarded as one of France’s top defenders, it is pretty fair to point out that the fact that Umtiti’s game has declined steadily within the past 18 months. It is mostly due to injuries, which have plagued his career at Barcelona, ultimately seeing Clement Lenglet replacing him at the heart of the four-man backline.
Indeed, Umtiti has remained the second choice for Ernesto Valverde in central defence, ever since the arrival of the ex-Sevilla star. Lenglet has already built a solid defensive partnership with Gerard Pique. As a result, Umtiti has featured in only 367 minutes of league football this campaign, which is pretty unacceptable for a player of his calibre.
How will he fit in at Spurs?
Despite his struggles at Barcelona in recent memory, Umtiti can still be deemed as a viable target for Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites have failed to provide a balance to their defensive unit this term, especially with Jan Vertonghen nearing the final stage of his career while Toby Alderweireld hasn’t been able to maintain consistency.
Same can be said for Davinson Sanchez, whose development has been halted since last season. As for Juan Foyth, he has rarely been utilised by Mourinho. Hence, Spurs could be in imminent need of a new defender, and that’s where Umtiti comes into the fray.
The Frenchman has a significant amount of experience at the highest level of football and has also won several trophies throughout his career, including the FIFA World Cup. He can, therefore, help Tottenham usher in a trophy-laden era under Mourinho.
An ideal replacement for Vertonghen?
At the age of 32, Vertonghen’s decline over the past couple of years has been rather evident. The Belgian has struggled with a host of fitness problems. In terms of his performances, he hasn’t looked bright either and has failed to provide any leadership to the team.
Umtiti, in that respect, is not a bad replacement for the ageing defender. Much like Vertonghen, the Frenchman is known for his ability to ease the build-up play with his excellent ball distribution. Moreover, he is quite strong in the air while his physically imposing figure helps him add more solidity in the backline. And at the age of 26, Umtiti is indeed a smart long-term investment for the Lilywhites.
