According to La Repubblica, Tottenham could be in the market for Gianluca Mancini. The Premier League giants are closing in on the capture of Paulo Fonseca as their new coach, and the Portuguese tactician is expected to raid his former club, AS Roma, to sign a few players. One of three stars identified as potential targets is Gianluca Mancini, meaning the newly appointed Roma coach, Jose Mourinho, could face a battle to keep hold of the talented defender this summer.
Gianluca Mancini’s Steady Growth At Roma
Gianluca Mancini has been a part of the Roma side since the summer of 2019 when he joined the club on a season-long loan deal. He was coming on the back of a successful season with Atalanta, and quite unsurprisingly, enjoyed a brilliant first season in Rome.
His move, therefore, was made permanent last summer for a fee of around €19 million. The centre-back hasn’t had to look back since, becoming an absolute lynchpin at the heart of the Roma defence. He made 33 league appearances this past season, helping the Giallorossi finish in the top seven.
Standing at a towering 1.90m frame, Mancini has impressed the onlookers with his intimidating presence in the defensive third. This gives him a considerable advantage in aerial and physical duels while also making him a threat from indirect set-pieces. In fact, the defender netted as many as four goals in Serie A this past season.
In terms of style of play, Mancini is more of a stopper rather than being a technical-oriented centre-back. The Roma star loves to tackle the opposition, stopping them in their tracks with his physique and muscle power. However, the Italian international is quite capable in possession, often looking for nearby forward passes and doesn’t’ tend to get caught out in possession too often.
Should Tottenham Invest In Mancini?
Following a difficult season, AS Roma are struggling financially and are in need of offloading a few of their star players. It serves as an excellent opportunity for Tottenham Hotspur to pursue someone like Mancini.
As mentioned earlier, the 25-year-old is an all-round talent, whose robust style of play and a physically intimidating figure make him a tailor-made prospect for the Premier League. Besides, he has experience working under Fonseca, having spent two years with him at Roma, meaning the Italian international shouldn’t find any difficulty settling in.
From a sporting perspective, Mancini would be a welcome alternative for Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, neither of whom has provided any semblance of solidity at the heart of the club’s backline.
However, Tottenham will need to be wary of Mancini’s price-tag, as they simply cannot afford to overspend on a centre-back, especially in the current financial climate. The Roma defender, nonetheless, is a viable option for the Lilywhites as they look to restore their lost glory under the leadership of Paulo Fonseca and Fabio Paratici.
