According to The Sun, Chelsea are leading Tottenham in pursuit of Lewis Dunk. The Blues are closing in on a £40 million swoop for the Brighton & Hove Albion defender, despite interest from their London rivals. The deciding factor in this transfer chase is Dunk being a lifelong Chelsea fan; meaning Spurs may have to look elsewhere in their bid to sign a new defender.
Why Were Tottenham Looking At Dunk In The First Place?
A product of the Brighton academy, Dunk is regarded as one of the most hard-working defenders in the Premier League. He has been an ever-present figure in the Brighton & Hove Albion starting lineup over the course of past five seasons, notably playing a pivotal role in their promotion back in 2017.
In fact, Dunk has featured in over 300 competitive matches for the Seagulls. And although most of those appearances have come in the Championship, he is still one of the most experienced English defenders in the top-flight right now.
In the Premier League, Dunk has already impressed the onlookers with his remarkable work ethic and commitment. The 28-year-old’s formidable defensive partnership alongside Shane Duffy was a key reason behind Brighton’s survival in the top-flight, although he has mostly worked with Adam Webster during the 2019/20 campaign.
As far as gameplay is concerned, Dunk is primarily known for his ability to sense the danger. The centre-back averaged an impressive 1.5 interceptions per game this past season while making 3.4 clearances. Winning 2.8 headed duels per game, he is also quite strong in the air, which is no surprise given his physically imposing 1.92m frame.
Missing Out On Dunk Could Be A Blow For Jose Mourinho
Tottenham Hotspur will, no doubt, rue missing out on the services of Dunk. As mentioned earlier, the Brighton & Hove Albion star is one of the most hard-working defenders in the Premier League, who could have strengthened the Spurs backline.
Although Dunk is not a like for like replacement for the more technically astute figure of Jan Vertonghen, he may have been an upgrade over Davinson Sanchez. The Colombian has lacked consistency in his game despite a strong finish to the campaign. Dunk, in that regard, could have been a better option.
His physically imposing presence, as well as his commitment and work ethic, would combine well with someone like Toby Alderweireld, thus adding another dimension to the Tottenham back-four.
It is also fair to point out that Dunk’s experience makes him a less risky option for Spurs as he is unlikely to take time settling into English football. But with the 28-year-old set to be on his way to Chelsea, Mourinho will now have to set their sights on other alternatives. RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, for one, could be an intriguing option.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
