Incoming Bid: Tottenham now ready to move for wonderful Bissouma upgrade in £21M dominator
Tottenham Hotspur enters the 2024/25 season with high hopes of securing a Champions League return, and bolstering the midfield is crucial to achieving that goal. Despite a relatively successful campaign last season under Ange Postecoglou, where Spurs managed to secure European football, there is a growing need to strengthen the squad to ensure a top-four finish.
One name that has recently emerged on Tottenham’s radar is Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who could potentially be a perfect upgrade over Yves Bissouma.
Tottenham’s midfield showed moments of brilliance last season but also lacked consistency, particularly in key matches that could have secured a Champions League spot. With Postecoglou’s attacking style requiring dynamic and reliable midfielders, the need for reinforcements is clear. The addition of Dominic Solanke for £65 million has addressed some of the attacking needs, but the midfield remains an area where improvements can be made.
Enter Manuel Locatelli, a player who has proven his worth at the highest levels of European football. His potential move to North London could provide the stability and creativity Tottenham’s midfield requires, especially when compared to the performances of Yves Bissouma.
According to reports from Italy, Tottenham Hotspur is seriously considering making an offer for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli. The North London club is reportedly prepared to table a bid of around £21 million plus bonuses to secure the Italian international’s services. Juventus, facing financial pressures, might be willing to let Locatelli go for a reasonable offer, making this a feasible and strategic move for Spurs.
To understand why Locatelli is being considered as an upgrade, it’s essential to compare his performances with those of Bissouma over the past two seasons. Locatelli, primarily a defensive midfielder, has shown versatility by also playing as a central midfielder. His experience at Juventus, Sassuolo, and AC Milan has seen him accumulate 228 appearances as a defensive midfielder, with 76 additional appearances in central midfield.
Locatelli has outshined Bissouma in offensive contributions, despite both playing in primarily defensive roles. Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Locatelli has registered one goal and eight assists in 89 appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 9.88 games.
In contrast, Bissouma has failed to score or assist in his 56 appearances during the same period. While goals and assists are not the primary metrics for defensive midfielders, Locatelli’s ability to contribute offensively gives him an edge.
Locatelli also excels in several underlying metrics that highlight his all-around game:
| Stat (Per 90) | Locatelli | Bissouma |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.10 | 0.07 |
| Non-Penalty Goals + Assists | 0.13 | 0.00 |
| Progressive Passes | 6.04 | 6.75 |
| Shots on Target | 0.25 | 0.14 |
| Key Passes | 0.79 | 0.56 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 0.71 | 0.50 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 2.24 | 2.13 |
| Tackles Won | 1.26 | 1.82 |
| Blocks | 1.53 | 1.26 |
| Clearances | 2.05 | 1.55 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0.99 | 0.58 |
Locatelli leads in several offensive and defensive metrics, demonstrating his effectiveness on both ends of the pitch. His ability to make progressive passes, key passes, and contribute to shot-creating actions suggests that he could be a significant upgrade in linking play from defense to attack. Additionally, Locatelli’s defensive contributions, such as clearances, blocks, and aerial duels won, further emphasize his well-rounded skill set.
While Bissouma has shown promise at Tottenham, especially under Postecoglou’s system, Locatelli’s experience and statistics suggest that he could bring more stability to the midfield. His ability to make fewer errors leading to shots, combined with a higher rate of successful aerial duels and clearances, indicates that he could offer greater reliability in protecting the defense.
At 26 years old, Locatelli is entering his prime and has the potential to be a long-term solution for Tottenham’s midfield. The reported £21 million price tag, while not insignificant, could prove to be a shrewd investment considering Locatelli’s proven track record in Serie A and on the international stage with Italy.
As Tottenham Hotspur aims to break back into the top four and secure Champions League football, the addition of Manuel Locatelli could be the key to unlocking their full potential. His blend of defensive solidity and offensive contribution makes him an ideal candidate to strengthen the midfield. While Bissouma has had his moments, Locatelli’s consistency and versatility could provide the upgrade needed to elevate Tottenham to the next level.
In a season where every point will count, having a player of Locatelli’s caliber could make all the difference for Ange Postecoglou’s side. As the summer transfer window progresses, Tottenham fans will be eagerly watching to see if this potential game-changing move becomes a reality.
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