End for Dragusin: Spurs chasing dream upgrade in “outstanding” £25M England int’L
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent struggles have highlighted a pressing need for defensive reinforcements. Last week was a particularly difficult one for Ange Postecoglou’s side, as they suffered consecutive defeats.
After squandering a lead in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the North London derby, Spurs faltered again against relegation-threatened Everton, losing 3-2. Their first-half performance at Goodison Park was dismal, with poor displays across the team. Among the underperformers, Radu Dragusin’s lackluster performance in defense stood out.
Reports have emerged linking Tottenham with a potential upgrade in their defensive ranks. According to Caught Offside, Spurs are actively exploring the market for new defenders to cope with their ongoing injury crisis.
One name that has caught their attention is AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori. The English center-back, who has previously excelled at Chelsea, is seen as a valuable opportunity to bolster Tottenham’s backline. While a specific price tag hasn’t been confirmed, earlier reports suggested that a bid exceeding £25 million could convince AC Milan to part with the defender.
Should Spurs manage to secure Tomori’s signature, his arrival would likely push Dragusin further down the pecking order.
The Englishman would compete with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for a starting role, solidifying the defense with his proven ability and experience. A comparison of their underlying numbers highlights the stark differences in quality between Tomori and Dragusin.
Performance Metrics Comparison
| Statistic | Fikayo Tomori | Radu Dragusin |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Passes | 3.91 | 2.79 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.65 | 0.54 |
| Passing Accuracy | 93.1% | 84.9% |
| Key Passes | 0.43 | 0.16 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| Live Passes | 62.2 | 55.5 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 1.31 | 0.39 |
| Goal-Creating Actions | 0.22 | 0.08 |
| Tackles | 1.41 | 0.78 |
| Tackles Won | 1.09 | 0.47 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 2.17 | 1.86 |
| Clearances | 2.83 | 3.64 |
| Errors Leading to a Shot | 0.00 | 0.31 |
| Ball Recoveries | 3.80 | 3.49 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 1.96 | 2.25 |
Statistics via FBref (24/25 season)
The data highlights Tomori’s superiority in nearly every defensive and playmaking metric. He excels in progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy, key passes, and shot-creating actions, showcasing his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. Moreover, Tomori’s error-free play contrasts sharply with Dragusin’s propensity for mistakes that lead to scoring opportunities for opponents.
Tomori’s credentials extend beyond his statistical dominance. He played a pivotal role in AC Milan’s Serie A triumph in the 2021/22 season, making 40 appearances during their title-winning campaign.
This season, he helped Milan secure the Italian Super Cup by overcoming Juventus and Inter Milan. His experience in high-pressure situations and his winning mentality would undoubtedly strengthen Tottenham’s squad.
While Dragusin might possess untapped potential, his performances this season have not justified his place in the team. By comparison, Tomori represents a significant upgrade.
His defensive reliability, combined with his ability to build attacks from the back, aligns perfectly with Postecoglou’s tactical philosophy.
The challenge for Tottenham will be convincing AC Milan to part with their star defender mid-season. However, given Tomori’s potential impact, the club should pursue this opportunity aggressively. Bringing him back to the Premier League would not only resolve Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities but also send a strong message about their ambitions to compete at the highest level.