According to Tuttosport, as cited by Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to sign Milan Skriniar. The north London giants have taken the lead over Manchester United and Liverpool in the pursuit of the Inter Milan defender this summer. In fact, Spurs are already in talks with Skriniar over a potential move after the defender fell out with Antonio Conte at Inter.
How Good Is Milan Skriniar?
A product of the NK Zilina youth academy, Skriniar is regarded as one of the best defenders in Serie A and rightly so. The centre-back has been consistent with his performances ever since his €34 million move to Inter Milan in 2017, having made 127 competitive appearances for the club.
Skriniar is primarily known for his ball-playing qualities. He has averaged an impressive 62 passes per game this season with an accuracy of over 92%. While most of those have been short passes, the Slovakian international is capable of finding attackers in behind with his accurate diagonal balls, which often becomes very difficult for the opposition to intercept.
Speaking of interceptions, the Inter Milan star heavily relies on his ability to read the game. It is coupled with his sensible tackling and an excellent sense of positioning, allowing him to repel most of the danger in the defensive third.
Another key feature in Skriniar’s game is his heading prowess. Partly helped his an imposing 187cm frame, the 25-year-old is quite solid when it comes to dealing with aerial balls, which makes him an indirect threat from set-pieces.
Why Jose Must Get This Done?
It is no secret that Jose Mourinho is keen to add more reinforcements in the defensive unit this summer. Jan Vertonghen has already left the club following the expiry of his contract while Juan Foyth has also been linked with a move away from north London. Also, both Davinsaon Sanchez and Eric Dier have struggled with lack of consistency.
The addition of Skriniar, in that regard, should serve as a breath of fresh air not only for Mourinho but also for Spurs fans. The Slovak can offer more quality in the defensive unit, especially given his talents in building the ball up from the back. It should enhance Tottenham’s transition from defence to attack while the defender is also capable of adding more steel during defensive phases.
However, what makes Skriniar such an appealing target for the Lilywhites is his experience at the highest level of football. It should make the job easier for him to integrate into the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. Besides that, the defensive combination of him and Toby Alderweireld could be a step in the right direction as Spurs look to restore their lost glory under Mourinho next season.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
