The transfer rumours linking Paris Saint-Germain and €12m rated French midfielder Adrien Rabiot with a move to Tottenham Hotspur have been going around for more than a year now. The links have resurfaced again recently after the midfielder revealed that he might look to move away from the Parc Des Princes in the summer.
The 21-year old has enjoyed a good season under new manager Unai Emery this term and has established himself as a regular first-team player for the Les Parisiens. Rabiot has taken the field on 26 occasions for PSG this season and has netted two goals along with three assists to his name across all competitions. However, his speculative statement of late has resulted in Spurs’ renewed interest but in reality, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are better off without the lanky Frenchman in their ranks and here we give you three reasons why:
Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele
The midfield duo of Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele have been performing excellently for Tottenham this season and have been a driving force of the team with their impressive run this term.
Having arrived in the summer from Southampton, it did not take long for Wanyama to prove his quality at White Hart Lane and he settled into the squad effortlessly. His cavalier presence in the middle of the park has on many occasions allowed Spurs to exert total control over teams in midfield. In no time has he become a vital cog of their engine room.
And alongside the Kenyan, Dembele has quietly gone about his job and has been exceedingly impressive. The Belgian international provides Tottenham with the drive and control in the centre of the pitch.
With the two of them doing so admirably well, it wouldn’t be the most prudent to disturb their partnership which would mean Rabiot would be spending most of his time on the benches, which would be far from ideal.
Eric Dier As a Backup
In Eric Dier, Tottenham and Pochettino have an able backup among their ranks to provide cover for Wanyama and Dembele.
The English international, who was primarily a defender, emerged as an excellent midfielder last season and has made the position his own at both club level and international level. He started this term on a great note, putting in some excellent displays in midfield, but injuries to his peers forced Pochettino into slotting in at centre-back, where he hasn’t really impressed.
Dier looks much more suited and far more comfortable in the role of a midfield enforcer than in the backline and Tottenham will be better off nurturing him and aiding his development in the centre of the park rather than bringing in a replacement.
The Emergence of Harry Winks
Encouraging youth has been the secret at Tottenham under Pochettino, which saw the emergence of talents like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Ryan Mason through the ranks.
And this season, it is the young Harry Winks who has caught the eyes with some immensely promising displays in the Tottenham midfield. The 21-year old has made 29 appearances for Spurs this term, most of which have been from the bench. But, he has impressed everyone with his performances. His maturity at such a tender age has been a delight to watch and he has all the makings of a fine midfielder in the years to come.
Adding Rabiot to the squad will, without a doubt, hamper Winks’ progress and growth. It would be ill-advised given his homegrown status and the promise and potential that he has shown. Instead they would be better served in investing the funds in other areas where there is definite scope of improvement.
