According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, as cited by Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs monitoring the progress of Marash Kumbulla. The Hellas Verona defender has emerged as a potential target for the Premier League giants, who are preparing for life without Jan Vertonghen next season. However, they could face stiff competition from Inter Milan in the pursuit of Kumbulla, who is likely to cost around €30 million.
Marash Kumbulla’s rapid rise to prominence
Kumbulla is enjoying a breakout campaign in Seria A this season. Having made 18 league appearances, he has been one of the key components of the Hellas Verona backline that has maintained a solid defensive record so far. In fact, only the top three clubs in the league table have conceded fewer goals than the Mastiffs.
Credit should be given to Kumbulla, who has quickly integrated himself to first-team football. His contributions at the back have indeed been critical, with the 20-year-old notably attempting 2.6 tackles per game with a success rate of almost 70%. He has also averaged 1.5 interceptions and nearly three clearances while winning 2.7 aerial duels per game.
What can he add to the table?
Kumbulla is a defensively astute centre-back, whose impressive statistics are more than enough to indicate his commitment and discipline at the back. The Albanian is particularly good when it comes to reading the game, but, his tall 1.85m also gives him a considerable advantage in the air.
However, what makes Kumbulla such a sought-after talent in European football is his ability to play the ball out from the back. Indeed, the youngster is capable of distributing the ball and easing the transition play. He has notably attained a pass completion rate of 84%, which is pretty impressive as Hellas Verona, on average, have kept only 49% of possession this season.
Is Kumbulla a viable target for Tottenham?
Kumbulla is certainly one of the most intriguing young centre-backs in European football at the moment. He bags loads of potential and could become a top-quality defender, with the right amount of guidance. His style of play also makes him an ideal long-term replacement for Jan Vertonghen, as far as Spurs are concerned.
However, the Albanian is also a risky target for the Lilywhites for multiple reasons. He lacks experience at the highest level of football, with this being his first-ever season in Italian top flight. But more importantly, the defender has often been criticised for his lack of body strength, which is something that needs to improve if he is to thrive in the Premier League.
That being said, a fee of €30 million is pretty reasonable for a player of his calibre and Tottenham, in particular, are in desperate need of young guns, following the struggles of Juan Foyth this season. Kumbulla, therefore, is indeed a viable target for the Premier League giants.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
