According to CDF, Newcastle want to rival Tottenham in pursuit of Guillermo Maripan. The Monaco defender has been identified as a top target for both the clubs, with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, in particular, keen on adding him to his books next season. Maripan, however, won’t leave Monaco for anything less than €20 million.
What Does Maripan Bring To The Table?
Maripan has built quite a reputation in Ligue 1 for his combative abilities in defence. After initially moving to Monaco last summer, he has become a regular starter for the French outfit, notably making 17 appearances in a season that came to an abrupt end.
As iterated earlier, Maripan is primarily known for his work-rate as he usually gets involved in a bunch of defensive actions. He attempted almost three tackles per game this past season with a success rate of 72%.
The Chilean is also a dogged, no-nonsense defender, having averaged 3.3 clearances per game while a tally of 1.3 interceptions is indicative of his ability to read the play. It combines well with an imposing 1.93m frame that makes him a scourge for the attackers in physical and aerial battles.
Passing may not be Maripan’s strongest suit, but he is a reliable one, notably attaining a pass completion rate of 88%. However, that figure is likely to decrease under new manager Niko Kovac.
An Upgrade Over Davinson Sanchez?
It is hard to assume that Maripan would be a direct upgrade over Davinson Sanchez at Tottenham. However, the ex-Alaves defender has shown remarkable composure, which is coupled with all his defensive talents – making him one of the most in-demand centre-backs in Ligue 1 at the moment.
Sanchez, on the other hand, has struggled with inconsistency and has only managed to flourish alongside the experienced figure of Toby Alderweireld. So at the age of 26, Maripan is also more reliable and arguably more composed when it comes to keeping up with his responsibilities.
Should Tottenham Pay €20m For Maripan?
Regardless of Maripan being a proper upgrade over Sanchez, Tottenham Hotspur are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements this summer, especially following the departure of Jan Vertonghen.
Although the Chilean is not a like for like replacement for the ageing star who joined SL Benfica earlier in the summer, he can surely add some much-needed depth in the centre-back department for Mourinho.
More importantly, Maripan’s style of play is more suited to the Portuguese’s tactical philosophy than the likes of Eric Dier and Sanchez. His robust nature should, therefore, combine well with the more technical oriented figure of Alderweireld, thus adding another dimension to the Spurs backline.
Hence, the Lilywhites should definitely splash the cash for the Monaco star this summer as they continue their rebuild under Mourinho.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
