Forget Lemar – Here Is Why Tottenham Should Go Ahead With The Signing Of This Real Madrid Midfielder

Forget Lemar – Three Reasons Why Kovacic Can Become An Ideal Signing For Exciting Spurs

Despite enjoying an extremely successful 2016-17 Premier League campaign, Tottenham Hotspur are having a quiet transfer window as the Premier League runners up are not actively pursuing anyone so far. Talks of Thomas Lemar and Josh King have cooled down and Mauricio Pochettino, the young Argentine gaffer, is concentrating on keeping hold of his team that produced a masterly performance last season. But the latest news of Mateo Kovacic’s availability has galvanized the Spurs boss who is reportedly keen to add a midfielder to replace expensive flop Moussa Sissoko.

Kovacic, the 23-year old Croatian international, completed a move to Real Madrid in August 2015 after impressing the then Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez with his persistent performances for Inter Milan. But the midfielder struggled for game time in a star-studded Los Blancos side and has been used as a squad rotation player in his two-year spell. Although he was handed only 19 league and two European starts by current boss Zinedine Zidane in their La Liga as well as UEFA Champions League winning campaign, Kovacic has impressed, in spite of having limited opportunities in several midfield roles. He has now been made available for sale by the Spanish giants.

Spurs already have the likes of Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembélé who performed relentlessly last season in the middle of the park. Real’s £22m asking fee for one of Europe’s hottest prospects isn’t illogical and let’s have a look at why Kovacic would be perfect for Pochettino’s Tottenham.

Youthfulness and Flexibility

Pochettino is hailed for transforming starlets into world-class names and Kovacic fits the profile well due to his young age, hard work and flexibility in midfield.

The Croatian, predominantly a central midfielder, has been used in a slightly deeper role and also flourished down the left-hand side of the midfield. His versatility is a major trait that defines why he can be a huge success under the young Argentine gaffer.

Style of Play

Kovacic is known for his strong sense of passing and dribbling, with a vision of creating opportunities upfront with accurate through balls and sublime key passes. He is strong defensively and holds on to the ball well, using his physicality. He likes to do layoffs and often links up with fellow attackers via his never ending runs. Kovacic, thus, fits the bill to be an ideal signing for Mauricio Pochettino.

European Experience

One thing that Pochettino needs to work on is his side’s dismal outings in European competitions. The lack of experience and exposure is a major concern and Kovacic’s inclusion might sort this out to some extent. Kovacic, though 23, has enough European experience with Dinamo Zagreb, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. He can add that much needed competence for the North Londoners.

The asking fee and his wage demands also suit Spurs’ strict financial structure who have performed extraordinarily with an inferior budget.