Ask any Tottenham fans what the main problem at the club has been for a long time now, and many will point to defending. Defence is a major part of any successful club, and Spurs have gained a reputation for being easy to play through. Even at the height of the Mauricio Pochettino era, in the 2019 UEFA Champions League run, Spurs still conceded goals for fun. What existed in that season was a clutch gene to get through the biggest moments – until, of course, the Final defeat itself.
However, since then, Spurs have been sieve-like defensively without the same offensive power to overcome. This has left new coach Antonio Conte with a serious problem to solve. Until Spurs stop being so charitable defensively, they are unlikely to win trophies or compete for the UCL places again. Conte, though, has made clear that addressing his powderpuff defence is the priority in the winter window.
One name being linked with the club is a player that Conte has long admired: Nikola Milenkovic. The Serbian international currently played for Fiorentina, but is expected to be available for transfer in the near future for the right price.
Spurs keen to land new defensive lynchpin
Fiorentina are in the process of seeing their two Serbian stars – Milenkovic and Dusan Vlahovic – head for the exit doors. It is hard to stop a star from moving on, and both players have been relatively vocal about their desire to move on from Florence in the near future.
For many of their fans, it would be a real shame to see the Viola lose such a key part of their defensive line-up. Spurs fans, though, will be keen to see the defender arrive ASAP. Able to play as both a centre-back and right-back, Milenkovic would offer exactly what Spurs are missing; pace, reading of the game, and the ability to play the ball with technique.
He is regarded as one of the most highly rated defenders in the league, and would make an exceptional hire for just about club. With Conte a big name in Italian football and Director of Football Fabio Paratici someone with many contacts in the league, though, it makes sense that Spurs want to go down this route.
Many see the hiring of such a player as essential to saving what feels like an increasingly lost season. With Conte trying to build the framework for future success in 2022-23 and beyond, though, it will be interesting to see just how hard the club pushes for a change.
Expect some many adjustments to arrive in the near future, though, as Spurs look to try and build something new. Milenkovic might be the marquee arrival in January, though, as Spurs look to build a culture that will be more attractive to star names in the summer.
For now, though, there is a natural sense of excitement about what happens next. The arrival of players with such pedigree like Milenkovic can only help Spurs as they look to regain the reputation they had during Pochettino’s time with the club.
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