According to Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Kim Min-Jae. The Beijing Guoan centre-back has been identified as one of the candidates to replace Jan Vertonghen as Jose Mourinho looks to bring in fresh players this summer. Kim has been a regular for the South Korean national team for quite some time now and is a teammate for Spurs superstar Son Heung-Min.
Who is Kim Min-Jae?
Kim initially rose to prominence in his native South Korea, making a mark at Jeonbuk Motors. He was K League’s rookie of the year in 2017 and was included in the team of the season the following term. He made 60 competitive appearances for Jeonbuk Motors before joining Beijing Guoan, for a fee of €5 million.
Since then, the 23-year-old has emerged as a first-team regular for the Chinese Super League outfit, notably featuring in 26 matches during the 2019 campaign. He has impressed the onlookers with his ball-playing qualities, becoming a source of inspiration from the back.
Indeed, Kim is never afraid to march forward with the ball. But at the same time, he is quite athletic, and his tall 1.90m frame gives him a massive advantage in aerial duels. His style of play, in that regard, could be compared to Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels.
Is Kim a good option for Tottenham?
The defensive duo of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez has improved a lot under Mourinho. However, Spurs still need depth in the defensive department, and the likes of Juan Foyth has not been able to make an impression under the Portuguese mastermind. With Vertonghen’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Kim is indeed an interesting option for the club.
As mentioned earlier, the South Korean international is a technically gifted centre-back, who can effortlessly distribute possession from the back, something Sanchez lacks in his game. Also, his well-built figure should help thrive in the physically astute nature of the Premier League.
In fact, Kim can potentially build an excellent partnership with an experienced figurehead like Alderweireld. Both of them are capable of playing the ball out from the back, which could enhance the club’s build-up and transition play.
Although Kim’s lack of experience in European football could be problematic, a move to Tottenham should offer him the opportunity to showcase his potential. With Mourinho being known for his defence-oriented tactics, Spurs could indeed be an ideal destination for the 23-year-old.
