Tottenham to move late for £50M ace with Ange desperate for Bentancur replacement

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is reportedly eager to secure a new midfielder as an alternative to Rodrigo Bentancur, whose recent head injury during the 1-1 draw against Leicester City has highlighted the need for additional depth in Spurs’ midfield.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury occurred in a dramatic fashion during Tottenham’s match against Leicester City. The Uruguayan midfielder was knocked unconscious following a clash of heads with Leicester forward Abdul Fatawu. The incident, which required Bentancur to receive oxygen and be stretchered off the pitch, sent shockwaves through the Spurs camp. Although Bentancur regained consciousness and was able to communicate after the match, the seriousness of the injury has raised concerns.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the situation in a post-match interview, stating, “I don’t have a lot of information but I do know he is up and is communicating, so he is fine from that point of view, but a head injury and I’ll leave it in the hands of the medical team now. The key thing is he is definitely conscious and communicating.”

While Bentancur’s immediate condition appears stable, concussion protocols ensure that he will likely miss Tottenham’s upcoming match against Everton. This unfortunate incident has underscored the pressing need for Tottenham to bolster their midfield options before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Tottenham faces a challenging run of fixtures in the coming weeks, further emphasizing the need for squad depth. The club’s next five Premier League games are as follows:

Everton (Home) – August 24
Newcastle United (Away) – September 1
Arsenal (Home) – September 15
Brentford (Home) – September 21
Manchester United (Away) – September 29

With such a demanding schedule on the horizon, the absence of key players like Bentancur could prove costly if Tottenham fails to reinforce their squad. The departures of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who joined Marseille on a season-long loan with an option to buy, and Oliver Skipp, who moved to Leicester City for around £20 million, have left Tottenham’s midfield dangerously thin.

Given the current situation, it’s no surprise that Ange Postecoglou is reportedly “desperate” to find a replacement for Bentancur before the transfer window closes. According to reports from GiveMeSport, Tottenham is considering a late move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ midfielder Joao Gomes. The 23-year-old Brazilian fits the profile of a young, dynamic, and tenacious player who could significantly strengthen Tottenham’s midfield.

Last season, Gomes made 34 Premier League appearances under Wolves manager Gary O’Neil, contributing two goals and one assist. His performances have caught the attention of several clubs, but it is Tottenham that seems most eager to secure his services. However, pulling off this transfer with just days left in the window could be a challenging task.

BBC pundit Danny Murphy praised Gomes’ performances, particularly highlighting his partnership with Mario Lemina in Wolves’ midfield. “They set the tone absolutely terrifically. They’ve got a nice partnership going,” Murphy said after Wolves’ match against Tottenham in February. “They know Tottenham like to play out, they were brave and tried to win it back. As soon as they won it back they got the transitions with the pace of Neto and Hwang [Hee-Chan] up front.”

Murphy’s comments underscore the importance of a solid midfield partnership, something Tottenham will need to replicate if they are to compete at the highest level this season.

One of the hallmarks of successful Premier League teams is strength in depth, particularly in midfield. Tottenham’s lack of experienced midfielders is a glaring issue that needs to be addressed urgently. While Tottenham boasts talented players in other positions, the lack of options in midfield could leave them vulnerable, especially as the season progresses and injuries begin to take their toll.

Ange Postecoglou’s system relies heavily on a dynamic and resilient midfield, capable of both protecting the defense and launching quick transitions to attack. The loss of a player like Bentancur, who plays a crucial role in linking defense and attack, can disrupt the team’s rhythm and make them more susceptible to opponents’ pressure.

As the transfer deadline approaches, Tottenham finds itself in a precarious position. The need for a Bentancur alternative is clear, and while Joao Gomes represents an ideal candidate, completing such a transfer in the final days of the window is fraught with challenges.

However, for Tottenham to remain competitive in the Premier League and to navigate their upcoming fixtures successfully, bolstering the midfield is not just an option—it’s a necessity.

The next few days will be critical for Tottenham as they look to strengthen their squad and ensure that they have the depth needed to compete on multiple fronts. Whether or not they succeed in signing a player like Joao Gomes could very well determine their fortunes in the 2024/2025 season.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply