Tottenham Hotspur are right now seventh in the Premier League table, which is disappointing considering that they were the Champions League finalists last season. They have a world-class manager at the helm of affairs, José Mourinho and the supporters cannot be blamed if they ask for more. The management should delve into the transfer market and try to bolster the side.
TMW now reports that Spurs have shown an interest in Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik. Manchester United are also considered to be after his signature as the Red Devils consider him as a long term replacement for Lukaku.
The state of affairs at Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have one of the best centre-forwards of the modern era, Harry Kane, in the side and the Englishman has carried the burden of leading the team for a long time now. However, the injury to the England skipper this season made the deficiencies of the squad apparent. Son was made to play as a lone forward for most of the part, with the Korean rising to the occasion. The halt of the Premier League due to the COVID-19 pandemic ensured that Kane could return and finish the season, but the management should have well understood the requirement of a backup.
Lucas Moura has also been deployed as a centre-forward at times, but the Brazilian is more comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder behind the leading man. He likes to use his creativity in aid of the centre-forward. In this situation, the manager needs an able man who can step up in the absence of Kane and open up alternative avenues for the side.
Is Milik a viable option?
This season the Polish forward has scored ten goals for the side in Serie A and been the leading man for the Italian team. Some of his attributes which have caught the attention of the pundits are his ability to take long shots and his linkup play. This term, the 26-year-old has taken 3.4 shots on average per match in the league, always keeping the opposition goalkeepers on their toes.
Other than that, his physicality gives him superiority in the air, a character vital in the English game. As mandatory for any centre-forward, he excels at finishing and his capability to time his run into the opposition box to perfection is noteworthy.
What would be his role at Tottenham?
It would be too far fetched to think that Milik would replace Kane from the side. Mourinho prefers to play a lone striker at the front, thus making it apparent that the Napoli man’s chances would be limited. However, as has been the case with Moura, he could also get lots of minutes to impress coming from the bench. Moreover, while playing against deep sitting sides, whose defence is hard to unlock, the Portuguese would have Milik on the bench to come on and make the difference. Considering all these aspects, the transfer of Milik to Tottenham would be a sensible thing for the club. However, the management must ensure that Napoli’s demands are met and the player convinced to play second fiddle to Kane.
Stats from Whoscored.
