Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing up a move for Sven Botman ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports…
What’s the word?
The Telegraph claim that Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the Lille centre-back and would like to prioritise bolstering his backline ahead of next season.
Botman was slapped with a €40m (£36m) price tag amid interest from Spurs and Premier League rivals Liverpool last month, so it remains to be seen whether or not Daniel Levy would be willing to open the chequebook to meet his manager’s wish.
It’s also suggested that even if the Portuguese leaves at the end of the season, then it is likely that any new appointment would want to add a central defender to his ranks, and it’s easy to see why.
Do you want Botman at Spurs?
Yes please!
No thanks!
Imagine him & Rodon
Spurs have suffered with defensive issues all campaign, and Mourinho still doesn’t know his best partnership, with game time between Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez being split in the Premier League.
Only the England international has started more than 20 matches, and even then, he’s been snubbed from the starting XI in each of their last five league outings.
Recently against Aston Villa, Mourinho turned to young hopeful Joe Rodon and he duly delivered. As explained in this Performance In Numbers feature from Football FanCast, the Wales colossus made a statement to his manager that he deserves a place in Spurs’ lineup.
The 23-year-old’s arrival in the summer wasn’t one for an immediate impact but was certainly one for the future and in Botman, Levy could seal the Lilywhites’ defence for the next five or six years.
“Joe Rodon, if he’s developed in the right way, could become a £70m defender. He’s a very good player. He’s one of those who, you can see he’s got all the tools. He’s got all the proper assets you need to be a very good defender, you could see why Spurs have gone for him,” explained Alasdair Gold (via This is Futbol) in January.
Botman is younger at 21 and has already been touted for major things by those around him.
According to The Times’ Duncan Castles, former Premier League defender Jose Fonte believes the Dutchman is the best centre-back he’s played with – and he’s played with quite a few big names, including Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel, ex-Madrid man Pepe, and Alderweireld.
Similarly, current Lille boss Christophe Galtier lauded the youngster as a “leader” already at his young age.
“In football, you have leaders who are vocal, ones who gesticulate and ones who shake the team up… I have a few of those, “said Galtier. “But you also have people who lead by example, through their performances, and it’s true that Sven is emerging as this type of leader.”
The £22.5m-rated titan ranks among Les Dogues’ star performers as they challenge Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG for the Ligue 1 title this season. Indeed, the 6 foot 4 defender is behind only three other players for average WhoScored rating (7.03) – better than all four of Spurs’ current central options.
It’s clear to see that his best attribute is being able to play the ball out from the back. He’s averaging a whopping squad-high 71.7 passes per game and delivering at an accuracy rate of 85.9%.
In Rodon and Botman, Mourinho could quickly find a perfect mix of brute force and deft touch, two abilities that should suit his defence down to a tee.
Levy must sanction the £36m swoop this summer, he could build a formidable partnership for the future by doing so.
AND in other news, Hugo Lloris could be closer to Spurs exit amid interest in £18m-rated beast…