Three Players Tottenham Should Have Signed In January – Including West Ham’s Defensive Wall

The January transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday and it was quite an uneventful one for the big clubs. While there were plenty of incomings for teams struggling in the relegation zone, not much happened with the teams in the top-half of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur too saw out the period without any major activity with only Tom Carroll’s exit to Swansea City being the most high-profile transfer deal to take place at the White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino’s team, who currently occupy the second place in the league standings, were linked with a horde of players but nothing materialized on those fronts and Spurs finished the month of January without any inbound transfers.

However, with the title campaign going on at full tilt, reinforcements would have been welcome at the Lane and here are three players who Tottenham should have snapped up in January:

Jose Fonte

The Portuguese defender put in a transfer request at the start of the transfer window and Southampton were resigned to losing Fonte with much speculations linking him with a move to almost all top-half clubs.

Tottenham have the best defensive record in the Premier League this term. The Spurs’ backline has been excellent throughout the season with Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier doing a fine job at the heart of the defence while Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have been by far the best full-backs in the league this year. However, with Vertonghen ruled out for a long time due to an injury and Alderweireld’s recent brush with injury scare, signing a cover would have been prudent, especially with Kevin Wimmer’s continued struggles.

Fonte, who has been in tremendous form for the Saints, could have proven to be a fine addition to Tottenham’s defence and given his experience at the top level, he would have brought in much value as Pochettino’s men went on about the title chase.

Wilfried Zaha

The Ivory Coast international was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham in the January window, after having seen a failed attempt to sign him in the summer of 2016. However, he ended up staying put at Crystal Palace as they attempt to stave off relegation.

Tottenham have been lacking an out and out wide player in their squad, someone who could stretch the defences with his runs out on the flank and Zaha fits the bill perfectly. The former Manchester United man has been in tremendous form for the Eagles this term, having scored 4 goals and assisted a further 6 strikes already.

With his excellent dribbling abilities and his direct and penetrative running, Zaha would have provided an already strong Tottenham attack, an alternate dimension and could have been a handy signing, but unfortunately for them, nothing materialized.

Jay Rodriguez

According to some reports, the Southampton striker was being looked upon by Tottenham in the closing stages of the transfer window, but there was no offer made and Rodriguez still remains a Saints’ player.

Tottenham have been scoring goals quite freely in recent weeks, but the concern of a lack of an impactful backup for Harry Kane has been eating at them for quite a while now. Vincent Janssen’s struggles in the Premier League seem to be never ending and while Son Heung-Min has scored plenty this season, he remains better suited to the flanks.

A Pochettino favourite from his days at St. Mary’s. Rodriguez would have been a smart addition to the Tottenham roster. Premier League experience in abundance, age on his side, and past experience with the manager would have held him in good stead and Spurs too would have reaped the benefits from such a move.