Why Tottenham should make a move for Robin Koch in January

According to a report from the Sun, Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has emerged as a shock target for Bayer Leverkusen.

Jan Vertonghen, 32, has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since the last few years. He has been a pillar at the back for Tottenham, one of Mauricio Pochettino-managed side’s crucial cogs.

The Belgium international has become a mainstay in the Tottenham lineup, making just under 300 appearances for them since signing from Ajax, but has yet to play this season. Vertonghen has, rather bizarrely, been dropped from Tottenham’s starting line-up in the opening weeks of the campaign.

The 32-year-old centre-back has just one year left on his contract. Pochettino would surely be wary of offloading such an experienced player without being able to replace him until the January window.

Just like Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld has also a year left on his Spurs contract. Moreover, both the Belgium internationals are in their 30s and will certainly start slowing down in the next couple of years.

Pochettino faces a tough decision over whether to run down their contracts and lose both of them on a free transfer in 2020 or offload either one of the Belgian defenders this summer.

Knowing Davinson Sanchez has looked shaky in Tottenham’s first few fixtures this season and an injury will keep Juan Foyth out of action until September, Pochettino must plan to bring in a new central defender in January.

Back in May, the Sun had claimed that Spurs were interested in signing SC Freiburg defender Robin Koch, but a move didn’t happen then. With Tottenham having struggled defensively so far this season, Pochettino should reignite his interest in Robin Koch and attempt to bring him in during the winter transfer window.

Koch, 23, has been a mainstay at Freiburg since signing from hometown club Kaiserslautern in 2017. His impressive performances at the back previous campaign helped Freiburg to a 13-placed finish. Those solid displays for the Bundesliga outfit certainly did catch Tottenham’s eye in the summer.

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Standing at 6ft 3in tall, the former Under-21 Germany international is a commanding presence in the defence and an all-day threat in the opposition box during set-pieces.

Koch is strong, powerful and committed presence who never gives anything less than 100% on the pitch. He is a modern-day centre-back as he’s very good on the ball.

Verdict

Koch is only 23-years old and has his best years ahead of him. He would be heading into his prime in a few years’ time and would be one of Spurs’ more intelligent recruits if he was to make the move to north London in the New Year.