Is This Mexican The Answer To Man United And Spurs’ Defensive Problems?

It’s no secret that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in dire needs of signing a new centre back and almost every quality centre back in the world is beginning to be associated with moves to Old Trafford or to either White Hart Lane . While, United’s 4th victory on the bounce may indicate something else but defensively, United still need a leader of men. Because the situation isn’t as good as it looks from the outside. And when it comes to Mauricio Pochetinno’s Tottenham, the team is still getting acclimatized to the high pressing system that the former Espanyol and Southampton manager preaches. They’ve let in goals for fun, evident from an inevitable  3-0 sauntering at the hands of would be Champions Chelsea. Although, the winter transfer window is still a month away from swinging open but rumors are already beginning to do their rounds.

As per the latest transfer rumors trickling in, MoPo’s former club RCD Espanyol are ready to sell defender Hector Moreno this January and that also for a cut price fee. The Mexican, who played a crucial role in Mexico’s World Cup run which eventually ended after a defeat to LVG’s Netherlands, has a close association with both the interested managers.

In 2007, Moreno had joined van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar for a fee in the region of  US$4.5 million and has deep rooted ties with the Dutch tactical mastermind.  Same’s the case in his relations with Mauricio Pochetinno. After spending a rather decent time at AZ under the managerial concepts of van Gaal, the Mexican moved to Espanyol where he established a close relationship with Pochetinno.  “I appreciate him very much, it was he who decided to bring me here.” said Moreno last month, in praise of the Tottenham boss.

Playing Style

The best feature about the 26 year old’s play is that he is quite unlike many of the modern day centre halves. He is composed on the ball and more than capable of playing the ball out of defenses. Even from crowded areas. All this is evident from the fact that Moreno has recorded one of the best passing percentages in the Espanyol line up

The Mexican can play effectively well in a 3 man defense, much like how he did under Miguel Herrera during the World Cup and equally well in a back 4.

He relies more on his ability to read the game than his ability to win tackles in the defensive third. But his aerial abilities are equally commendable, winning 52 percent of his standing tackles and almost equal success rate is reflected in his aerial battling ability. Out of all his defensive actions, the 26 year old 22.3% percent of his actions have come from interceptions, shedding light on how good his reading of the game actually is. 9.3% percent of them have come from blockings and 68.4% from clearances.

His average pass length ranges from 23 to 24 metres out of which the average pass length of long balls forward stands at 43 metres. His passes forward touch 24 metres, acting as an evidence for his composure and his reputation for being a cultured centre half. (stats from Squawka)

An Easy Fit for Spurs and United?

If you’re adhering to a high pressing approach in a league as pacy and frenetic as the Premier League, having a ball playing and ball winning centre half is a must. Spurs have been coming across problems by pressing the opposition as much as possible, leaving the centre halves exposed and full backs caught near the half way line. With Vlad Chiriches probably set to go out on loan, Spurs need a reliable centre half to operate alongside summer signing Federico Fazio rotating the position with Younes Kaboul. And for defenses under Pochetinno, defensive organization has to be priority, and that’s something Tottenham have been deficient in this season. Jan Vertonghen could be picked off as a culprit along with Romanian youngster Vlad Chirches but it’s true confederacy that they lack. Moreno would’ve have play well to strive for achieving a regular first team spot but he certainly is someone who can do so.

As far as United are concerned, they need a leader of men who can put players around him into their respective positions. The days spent under the rebukes of the Pallister’s, the Irwin’s, the Vidic’s and the Neville’s seem like miles away despite of the fact that Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling have developed a decent enough pairing. But, as a grueling list of fixtures await, the real mettle of the defense would be tested out. Especially against Tottenham, who’d put their centre halves under pressure tirelessly by working and running hard with unsettling zeal. They need composed and mature characters at the back who can ensure solidarity in the defense when the attacking riches are busy flaunting their goods.