Why Tottenham Hotspur must avoid signing Matt Doherty in January
According to the Irish Independent, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Matt Doherty.
Matt Doherty, 26, has been one of the standout performers in the league this season, picking up September’s PFA Player of the Month award. The Dublin-born star is under contract until 2021 but his form has turned heads, with Tottenham keeping tabs.
However, the report adds that Matt Doherty is happy at Wolverhampton Wanderers. So this means that Tottenham need to table a substantial offer if they are to lure the defender away to North London.
And Tottenham clearly need to spend big in the ongoing January transfer window after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday. Spurs lost the game to United despite a dominant second-half display in which David de Gea made 11 saves.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team headed into the game knowing that a win over the Red Devils would see them leapfrog Manchester City and put them six points behind league leaders Liverpool. But Tottenham’s title dreams for another year were virtually shattered after Sunday’s result, leaving Pochettino to fight for a top-four spot.
But with Chelsea breathing down their neck and the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United just seven points behind, Spurs need to sign a few players if they are to guarantee their place in the top four.
Injuries to Moussa Sissoko and Harry Kane, and the departure of Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup have landed big blows to Pochettino and company.
Spurs clearly need investment this month after a completely dry summer transfer window. As far as interest in Matt Doherty is concerned, Pochettino, however, needs to opt against making a concrete offer for the defender. Doherty has been in fantastic form this season, scoring 3 goals and supplying 4 assists for Wolves from the right wing-back position.
The Republic of Ireland international is an attacking player with an ability to deliver dangerous crosses into the box and the intelligence to position himself in promising positions. Not to forget, he is also defensively diligent and works tirelessly throughout the game.
However, Spurs already have Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters competing for the right-back berth in Pochettino’s starting XI.
Trippier is currently Spurs’ first-choice right-back with Aurier as his deputy, and the duo has worked very well in tandem. Then there is the promising Walker-Peters waiting in the wings for more opportunities to play this season.
Read more: Tottenham bagging the chance to sign this 6ft 2in Danish giant would get them a perfect replacement for Alderweireld
Undoubtedly, Doherty has proven his class at Wolves so far this season but signing a player in a position where the club is already well-stocked doesn’t make sense on Pochettino’s part. Hence, Spurs must avoid signing Doherty and concentrate on strengthening other areas of the pitch this month.