According to a recent video uploaded to Guillem Balague’s YouTube channel, Tottenham Hotspur are said to be interested in acquiring the services of Barcelona right-back Nelson Semedo. Speaking during his designated Q&A session, Balague said that Tottenham aren’t interested in Arthur Melo and that they have instead ‘asked’ Barcelona for Semedo. He also went on to effectively confirm that Spurs are looking to sign a right-back in the summer.
It has been further suggested that Nelson Semedo is one of the players at the Camp Nou that Barcelona are currently willing to sell, but that they are yet to receive an official offer for his signature so far. The Catalan giants’ massive interest in acquiring names like Neymar and Lautaro Martinez have been no secret. As has been reported by Sport, offloading Semedo could well be on the agenda this summer. Sport also claim that the Portuguese full-back is one of the highest-valued players at Barcelona and that despite being liked by the club, he could be cashed in on.
What Is Tottenham’s Current Situation At Right-Back?
One of the biggest worries for Jose Mourinho going into the next Premier League season would surely be the Tottenham back-line. While they do possess some backup in the central-defensive positions, the fact that they only have one recognised right-back in the team is undoubtedly a massive concern.
The full-back is one of the most important positions in the team for most Premier League clubs, and having quality in the role often proves to be the difference between three points and none.
Serge Aurier is the only option that Moutinho currently has in the position. For all the quality that the Ivorian does possess, his defensive attributes are questionable. Aurier is adept at bombarding forward with the ball, while he offers excellent pace down that flank as well. What he lacks, though, is the ability to read the opposition’s play. The full-back is often caught out of position, while his awareness tends to be quite sketchy as well.
Would Semedo Be An Upgrade On Aurier For Spurs?
Nelson Semedo is a 26-year-old Portuguese international who has been a Barcelona player for a little under three years now. During this time, the speedster has showcased his quality on various occasions, albeit in glimpses owing to the lack of playing time. He offers blistering pace down the flank, even more than what Serge Aurier currently provides at Tottenham. He boasts an excellent delivery into the box from wide, and unlike the Ivorian, the Barcelona man gets his short passes right more often than not.
Passing and keeping the ball are two of the most important essences of the Barcelona playing style, and three years with the Catalan side’s first team is enough to instil that into any player. Moreover, the sheer fact that Barcelona chose to sign him is a massive endorsement of the 26-year-old’s quality. As good as Semedo is at getting forward, he is always primarily focused on defending, and that fact alone should be enough to motivate Spurs into making a move for the speedster this summer.
