Scout Report – Jeremy Toljan
According to reports from Portuguese outlet Record (via The Sun), Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their first transfer of the season, with Hoffenheim right-back Jeremy Toljan poised to sign for the North Londoners.
The 22-year old, who can play in either full-back position, has emerged as a potential target for Spurs and they are reportedly set to beat Portuguese champions SL Benfica for the €3.5million man’s signature.
There has been frustration building up among the fans as Tottenham are the only club yet to make a first-team signing. However, that could be set to change with Toljan’s speculated arrival. Let’s take a closer look at who exactly Jeremy Toljan is and what he will be bringing to the table at Tottenham, if signed.
Footballing Background
Born on 8 August 1994, in Stuttgart, Germany, Toljan started off playing football for SV Grun-Weiss Sommerrain in 2004. He joined TSV Steinhaldenfeld in 2008 and moved to Stuttgarter Kickers soon after, before joining VfB Stuttgart in 2009. Having made close to 40 appearances for the youth sides, Toljan departed to join Hoffenheim in 2011.
Having spent the first two seasons with the youth sides, the youngster made his first team debut for Hoffenheim in October 2013, in a 2-2 draw against Mainz in the Bundesliga. He went on to make 11 appearances for the senior side that campaign and 8 more in the 2014/15 campaign. The subsequent season saw him get more game time for the first team, making 19 appearances, scoring one goal. Last season, he played 21 times, scoring a goal and setting up one more.
Toljan has represented the Germany national team at all youth stages and was part of the squad that won the silver medal in the Rio Olympics in Brazil last year. The 22-year old was also part of the Germany U-21 squad that won the European U-21 champions last month. Toljan set up the winner for the Germans against Spain in the finals of the tournament. Till date, he has played 18 times for the U-21 team.
Style Of Play
A versatile operator, Touljan can operate in both the full-back positions and has been predominantly used as a left-back for large parts of his career despite being a right-footed player. The 22-year old can also play in the midfield too.
His biggest asset is his physicality, the stamina and the energy he exudes down the flanks that allows him to run up and down the flanks all day long. He has the ability to be a great attacking outlet down the wings owing to his positive intent, and the end product is not always top notch.
There are a few flaws in the defensive side of his game that needs some work and the element of consistency is also something that he needs to bring into his game. However, those things can be ironed out with regular playing time, which he hasn’t been getting with his club.
What Does The Future Hold?
With just a single year left on his contract with Hoffenheim, a summer exit is very much on the horizon. And with reports emerging that his club are already lining up a replacement in the form of Felix Passlack of Borussia Dortmund (BILD), there seems to some truth about the rumours of his transfer to Tottenham.
He may not be the most exciting addition and is still quite a way away from being the finished product. But he has the ability to turn out to be an ideal backup for Kieran Trippier.