Spurs must move for Ndidi in January
Spurs’ summer activities, or complete lack of them, must be a cause for concern for Mauricio Pochettino. Whilst his squad ought to compete for the top four once again, it’s hard to argue that the club have made progress towards mounting a title challenge this season.
What’s the word?
The Argentine coach is not the sort to feel comfortable in stasis and will want to see the board backing his development of the squad sooner rather than later. If the club fail to match his ambitions soon, Pochettino may be forced to move on from White Hart Lane.
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The manager’s future plans aside, there were more immediate matters on the pitch that the club ought to have tended to. Primarily, Spurs should have strengthened their defensive midfield options.
Moussa Dembele is ageing, whilst Victor Wanyama is not of the quality required for Spurs to take the next step. On top of that, given the relative paucity of depth in the heart of the defence, Eric Dier may be needed there this season, removing him as a midfield option.
This problem could have been solved in the summer with a pursuit of Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi.
Yes Ndidi
Since arriving in the Premier League as N’Golo Kante’s natural successor in 2016, Ndidi has developed into one of the finest, and perhaps most under appreciated, holding midfielders in the English top flight.
His ability to read and break up opposition attacks is unsurpassed outside of the ‘big six’ clubs, whilst his height, power and pace make him a formidable presence in the centre of the park.
The Nigeria international’s on-the-ball game has improved too, making him now very adept at regaining possession for his side before playing a pin-point pass between the lines to launch a counter-attack.
The time has now come for the 21-year-old to take the next step up in his career, and whilst Spurs should have offered him that chance this summer, they’ll have another opportunity in January that they can’t afford to miss.