Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur have been looking at some of the top stars in Europe to add to their squad at the end of the season as they will have to be at their strongest to compete in Europe and in the league next season. The manager needs to strengthen a few areas in the squad. Though he has been busy trying to lure some of the biggest names to White Hart Lane, he has also been busy trying to spend for the future. This has seen him linked with some talented young players and one such name that is constantly doing the rounds recently at the White Hart Lane is 21-year old Patrik Schick.
Patrik Schick’s Career
Born and brought up in Prague, Schick is easily the most exciting player in his country. He started his youth career as a teenager at Sparta Prague, where he later went on to make just 4 senior appearances before getting himself an offer from Italian outfit Sampdoria. At his new club, he now has 5 goals in just 13 games. At 21, he has played at every junior level for the national side and has also made 3 senior appearances, helping himself to one goal.
Style Of Play
A center forward in every sense of the word, Schick is a tall yet athletic player who has most attributes that can make him a top class forward in Europe in years to come. Capable of gliding across the field in no time, Schick is adept at using his height to dominate the ball in the air in the final third and this is something that will make him a success in the Premier League. He is someone who loves to play short passes and create chances for his side. He can also take on his man when required and more often than not, he comes out of it triumphantly in one on one situations, thus being a dangerous player in the attacking third.
With decent finishing ability at just 21, Schick is fast growing into a top class player in Italy and it does not come as a surprise that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are keeping a close look on him. He is still a bit raw and his lack of defensive awareness could be a liability in the long term. He is also not adept at holding on to the ball, which can also make him a weak link. However, at his age, he has enough time to learn and is surely destined for great success in the future.
Tottenham or Chelsea?
With 9 goals in more than 20 appearances in all competitions for Sampdoria this season, Schick is already showing his goal scoring prowess and is proving that he could be a good solution for the striking problems at the White Hart Lane. He would probably end up as another loanee at the Bridge but at Tottenham, Pochettino could even stick with him as a first choice if he impresses the Argentine during the training sessions.
Harry Kane, the top goal scorer for Spurs has yet against been unstoppable this season but as a backup, Vincent Janssen has just not done enough. The manager will yet again have to visit the transfer market to add a top quality star to his attack. Though Schick is not the big name that the fans will want, he can surely act as an able backup for the two attackers who are currently at the club.
The Verdict
It is understood that the player is ready for a move to England and if Conte can lure him to London, there is no reason why Tottenham should not move for him. After all, he ticks more boxes in Pochettino’s book than he does in Conte’s.
Do you think the Spurs should move for Patrik Schick?