EPL

Tottenham shouldn’t hesitate one bit to reignite their interest in this rising Ligue 1 star in the summer – would be a great move

Share

Tottenham Opinion: Should Spurs reignite their interest in Youcef Atal?

According to a report from the Guardian, Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing OGC Nice full-back Youcef Atal in the January transfer window. However, the move didn’t materialise and Tottenham endured a dry winter transfer window.

Youcef Atal, 22, joined OGC Nice from Belgian club KV Kortrijk in the summer of 2018 and has hit the ground running in the Ligue 1, contributing with two goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed as Tottenham expressed an interest in him last month but couldn’t get a deal over the line.

But come summer, Tottenham should reignite their interest in the Algerian full-back.

Serge Aurier

Spurs signed Serge Aurier from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 but he hasn’t yet been able to find his feet in the Premier League. Aurier has the ability to thrive under Mauricio Pochettino, but his unreliability has seen Kieran Trippier take his place at right-back.

Trippier, on the other hand, returned to the club after a brilliant World Cup campaign that saw England reach the semi-finals in Russia. But he hasn’t been able to replicate his performances this campaign, with Pochettino preferring Aurier ahead of the Englishman in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg last week.

And while Aurier put in one of his best performances in Tottenham colours against Dortmund, the matter of fact is that neither the Ivorian nor Trippier is reliable enough to start week in and week out under Pochettino.

Kieran Trippier

The Spurs manager also has the promising Kyle Walker-Peters waiting in the wings for his opportunity but he is too young to start regularly for the club.

Well, that should be enough for Pochettino to go all out to sign Youcef Atal in the summer.

Atal has taken Ligue 1 football like a duck to water, showing great ability and immense technical qualities under Patrick Vieira. The Nice boss has used Atal at right-back and right midfield and the Algerian has impressed.

The 22-year-old full-back is fantastic going forward and is equally solid defensively, excelling with his positional awareness and reading of the game.

The six-cap Algeria international is a tireless worker and despite being a full-back, he is a composed finisher in front of goal. Atal has good pace and dribbling skills to beat his marker and get into the final third for crossing opportunities.

Conclusion

A modern-day full-back, Atal has everything in his locker to take the Premier League by storm. He is a tantalising prospect and could prove to be a superb addition for Tottenham in the long run.

Read more Tottenham News, click here – Tottenham Latest News

Pochettino has already shown that he trusts youth and he should be the right manager to take Atal’s game to the next level. However, any move for the young Algerian in the summer could lead to either an exit for Tripper or Aurier.

Rohan Sengupta

Hi, I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7. Follow me @garrydevildada

Recent Posts

The Vital Role of Communication on the Soccer Field: Unlocking Success in Leagues

Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…

7 hours ago

The Brilliance of Paul Scholes: A Midfield Maestro’s Illustrious Career

In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…

2 weeks ago

Online games on Football

Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…

3 weeks ago

Using Soccer News to Enhance Your Game Strategy

If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…

4 weeks ago

Interesting Facts About Football: 40 Questions and Answers

I have prepared some interesting and fun football facts for you, perfect for those who love the  thrill of discovery almost as much as the excitement found at https://www.staycasino.com/. Like the  unpredictable nature of casino games, these facts will surprise and intrigue you with unexpected  twists and turns in the world of football. Here is the complete list of 40 interesting and fun facts  about football.  What are the most interesting facts about football?  Football was invented in Italy, Messi is the highest-paid athlete, and the fastest a player has  been sent off is 0 seconds!  Stay ahead with these facts and impress with your knowledge. This collection contains many  football facts that will surprise you. Tell your friends new facts they don't know.  Interesting Facts About Football  Every football fan should know these facts. You can also surprise your children with what they  don't know!  When was football invented?  Modern football originated from the Florentine game of Calcio Fiorentino, played in the 14th …

4 weeks ago

Real Sociedad vs PSG preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Real Sociedad returns to the midst of Europe's elite clubs in the UEFA Champions League…

1 month ago