Three Right-backs Who Tottenham Can Target If Walker Leaves In The Summer
Tottenham Hotspur have had a great season in the Premier League. The Lilywhites have lost the title to Chelsea but it has been a season full of positives for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the league, a move to the new stadium on the cards, securing almost all of their first team members on long-term deals, things look great for the future for Spurs.
However, one thing that will be troubling the fans will be the situation of defender Kyle Walker. The 26-year old has been one of the best players for Tottenham this season but finds himself at the crossroads with the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona interested in the player.
If it so happens that Walker does end up leaving at the end of the season, here are three right-back options that Tottenham can target to replace the England international:
Serge Aurier
The Ivorian has been a key cog in the Paris Saint-Germain setup for the past two years but has found game time lesser than usual with the arrival of Thomas Meunier last summer.
Aurier has made 30 appearances across all competitions this season and has contributed with 5 assists so far. The 24-year old will come in with title-winning experience and mentality having gotten his hands on quite a few trophies in the two years with Les Parisiens. The fact that he has been involved heavily in the UEFA Champions League for three reasons running will also bode well for Tottenham.
He is young, has the pace to burn, has shown he can score and set up goals, and is a strong player in the defensive sense as well. Aurier has 2 more years left on his contract and has the potential to be an excellent signing for Tottenham.
Almamy Toure
Another right-back from the Ligue1 Monaco’s 21-year old defender Almamy Toure is another excellent prospect being groomed at the Principality Stadium.
The Mali international has played 27 times over the course of the season, setting up 5 goals and has made a great impression. Full of attacking intent, Toure has shown the abilities to pick out his man in the box with great accuracy and has shown the maturity that belies his age. A force in the air as well, he offers a threat in the box from set-piece situations too.
He might be young and may not have a great deal of experience, but the fact that Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim trusted him to play in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund shows how highly he is regarded and has the talent to grow into a star defender.
Nelson Semedo
One of the most sought-after right-backs in the continent, Nelson Semedo has been monitored by the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The 23-year old Benfica man has been in excellent form for the Portuguese outfit, scoring 2 goals and registering 11 assists from 45 games across all competitions. A modern day full-back in all sense, Semedo loves to get forward all the time and has the pace to cover the ground swiftly. An excellent dribbler and crosser of the ball, the Portuguese international is a huge threat going forward.
One of Benfica’s best players of the season, Semedo has done very well in the European competitions too. But with his contract running until 2021, he might come at a steep price.
