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Ange Postecoglou’s arrival should assist, but with the calibre of defenders available to him, he won’t be able to weave his magic without some further expenditure.
Fortunately for supporters, it appears like attempts are being made to strengthen the backline.Negotiations for Micky van de Ven are still ongoing, while Edmond Tapsoba remains a primary goal for the Lilywhites.
Given the Spurs’ defensive record last season, pairing the two would significantly improve them. Van de Ven is one of the fastest center halves in the league, while Tapsoba is one of the most progressive, being in the top 6% of European center-backs for successful take-ons.
There is, however, a risk-free option Daniel Levy and Company might pursue in order to assure a smooth transition for either Van de Ven or Tapsoba; Max Kilman.
Max Kilman is leaving Wolves.
The former futsal player has risen to prominence in recent years, to the point where one of Europe’s giants is interested in signing him.
Wolves have already rejected a £30 million approach from Serie A champions Napoli, with a sum of £35 million deemed to be more fair for the Midlands club.
That transfer issue appears to have alerted Tottenham to his potential availability, with The Telegraph reporting earlier this week that the 26-year-old is a fan.
How talented is Max Kilman?
Despite their impressive skill sets, pairing Tapsoba and Van de Ven together would be a risk for Postecoglou.
The fact of the matter is that both are young, and both have never played a game in the Premier League.
Of course, top-flight experience doesn’t count for everything. Richarlison excelled for Everton at this level but it took him until 30th April to find the net for the first time in the league for Spurs.
However, in Kilman, they would be signing an accomplished defender, one capable of ensuring someone of Tapsoba’s ilk settles into English football with ease.
Playing alongside someone with knowledge of the division will certainly help, and indeed it would be beneficial if that wasn’t Eric Dier or Davinson Sanchez, two of the club’s underperformers in recent years.
Whether you agree with it or not, Sanchez has been so bad in Tottenham colors that he was booed off the field by his own fans near the conclusion of last season.
Kilman, on the other hand, has a firm grip. In fact, Talking Wolves host Tom Parker has referred to him as a “monster” for his performances.
That is well-deserved praise for a defender as forward-thinking as Tapsoba. Indeed, the Wolves defender is among the top 12% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of successful take-ons.
However, he is a first-rate defender, ranking in the top 17% for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 6% for shots blocked, and the best 15% for passes stopped, according to FBref.
This isn’t a player who makes a lot of tackles, far from it. Kilman is in the bottom 11% in that category, but the above shows that, in addition to being technically efficient, the 6 foot 4 defender is prepared to put his body on the line.
With such a diverse set of skills, he might be the ideal partner for any other incoming centre-backs Postecoglou may bring to N17.