Why Youcef Atal would be a fantastic signing for Tottenham

Back in May, the Telegraph had claimed Tottenham were interested in signing OGC Nice full-back Youcef Atal. However, a deal didn’t go through as OGC Nice were reluctant to sell one of their prized assets during the summer transfer window.

Youcef Atal, 23, was one of the stars for Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations before he broke his collarbone during the quarter-final clash against Ivory Coast. Club-wise, he only joined OGC Nice from Paradou in his native Algeria in 2018 and quickly became a sensation with the Ligue 1 side.

The versatile 23-year-old had a solid last season with OGC Nice under manager Patrick Vieira and impressed with his high-flying displays down the right flank. He racked up six goals and one assist in 29 games for Nice last season, becoming one of the most in-demand right-backs in Europe.

Nice managed to fend off interest over the summer, keeping at least until January, but there is mounting interest in Atal’s signature ahead of the next transfer window. Tottenham certainly need Atal and must rekindle their interest in him during the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur’s form has been worrying this season, leading to question marks over Mauricio Pochettino’s future. But if Pochettino can steady the ship and get Tottenham firing back again, the board must fully back him in January.

A right-back should be prioritised by the Spurs manager, with the club failing to bring in a replacement for Kieran Trippier, who joined Atletico Madrid in the summer.

Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters have failed to nail down the right-back spot, with the former coming under a lot of criticism from pundits and fans alike for his series of poor displays.

That being said, Youcef Atal would be a perfect fit at Tottenham. Predominantly a right-back, the Algeria international, who is very highly rated across Europe, can also operate on the other side. He can play as a wide midfielder or as a wing-back if required by the team.

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The 23-year-old has the defensive acumen required to, at the very least, while his attacking instincts mark him out as a player who could thrive in the Premier League. 

He is an incredibly fast player, who can beat his marker without breaking a sweat. Atal is also a very good dribbler and can put dangerous crosses into the box from wide areas. All in all, Spurs must try to sign him and offload Aurier.

Verdict

Atal would be a solid addition for Tottenham. He would not only be a great option at right-back but would also help the north Londoners in other areas of the field. Truly, the Algerian has the potential to become the perfect modern-day full-back to complement Pochettino’s style.