Three Alternatives For Mateo Kovacic Who Tottenham Can Consider
Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pochettino have been a revamped outfit for the past couple of campaigns and the young Argentine gaffer has guided them to finish as runners-up last season, defying all odds. Youngsters like Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eric Dier flourished under him and have become key resources for the Three Lions prior to 2018 FIFA World Cup competition. Spurs, however, have been remarkably inactive in this transfer window and despite losing out their right-back Kyle Walker to league rivals Manchester City, the manager has not made any inclusion so far to strengthen his squad. He is confident of another productive campaign following an impressive pre-season and also expects a better run in the prestigious UEFA Champions League this time around.
One name they have been heavily linked to is Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic who was reportedly open to a switch in order to achieve regular game-time elsewhere. The 23-year old Croatian was mostly used as a substitute by Los Blancos gaffer Zinedine Zidane and the reigning La Liga as well as Champions League winners won’t hold him back if he wants to depart. But as per latest rumours, Juventus have emerged as favorites to land the former Inter Milan star and Spurs may now want to look elsewhere to find a solution.
Pochettino’s utility man Eric Dier might be shifted from his midfield role to be used as a right-back this season, following Walker’s egress and Kieran Trippier’s injury. Also, their expensive flop midfielder Moussa Sissoko is close to joining Turkish outfit Trabzonspor for the new campaign. The Argentine gaffer, thus, needs to explore other options and here are three such names who can enhance their quality and help them challenge for the title once again.
Joao Mario
Current Club: Inter Milan
Age: 24
Country: Portugal
Mario played a pivotal role in Portugal’s 2016 UEFA European Championship squad and was acquired by Serie A outfit Inter Milan from Sporting CP for a fee of €45million. The player is known for high work ethics, passing, pressing, intercepting and dribbling skills, which are major requirements of Pochettino’s style of football. Spurs need to splash the cash if they wish to have him in their lineup for the new campaign.
Hakim Ziyech
Age: 24
Current Team: AFC Ajax
Country: Morocco
The Dutch-born Moroccan international had an imposing campaign for the Eredivisie runners up since joining from FC Twente last year. The versatile midfielder netted 15 and assisted 16 times in 47 appearances for club and country, and pulled the strings from midfield with his vision, concentration, strong shooting, dribbling and passing traits along with impressive set-piece ability. Ziyech is hard-working and is capable of playing in multiple midfield roles. So he can be an astute piece of business for the North London heavyweights.
Ross Barkley
Current Club: Everton
Age: 23
Country: England
Everton’s contract rebel has been in search of a new challenge, rejecting an offer of extending his current deal beyond next summer and is now reportedly being chased by Spurs as well as reigning champions Chelsea. Barkley progressed through the youth ranks of the Toffees and appeared 179 times for their senior side, netting 27 goals across all competitions. He is known for his pace, power, dribbling, passing and shooting skills with the vision of delivering key passes as well as through balls. The £25m rated English international is available for an affordable transfer fee and Spurs must take advantage to lure him to their club.
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