Football.London’s Alasdair Gold believes Tottenham Hotspur would be losing a big talent if they decide to sell Juan Foyth this summer and suggested that the Argentine can be converted into a defensive midfielder.
After putting in impressive displays towards the end of last season and starring for Argentina in the Copa America last summer, this was the season Foyth was expected to kick-on and seal his place in the Tottenham side.
However, the defender has had a season to forget so far. An injury in pre-season during an Audi Cup fixture against Bayern Munich saw him miss the first few months of the campaign and he has had very few opportunities since the arrival of Jose Mourinho in November.
Reports suggest that Spurs are ready to part ways with Foyth when the transfer market reopens (Independent). The 22-year-old admitted at the start of this month that he may have to leave Spurs in the summer if he does not get regular game time in North London (TNT via Sport Witness).
However, Gold believes that Foyth has all the attributes to thrive as a defensive midfielder if he can bulk up during the off-season.
He wrote: “Mourinho does not see the young Spurs man as a right-back and the faster Japhet Tanganga has instead been converted to the role, while offering just as limited attacking capabilities in the role.
“However, with money expected to be tight this year with football clubs’ incomes switched off right now, Spurs and other teams will have to get more creative with their squad use.
“One such move could involved converting Foyth into a defensive midfielder, a role he briefly took on during his academy years.
“Spurs have struggled with their holding midfielders in recent years, Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama both suffering with injuries and in the former’s case illness.
“Now Wanyama has left and Dier has declared that his future lies at centre-back, creating even more competition in that role for Foyth although Vertonghen could yet, but it does leave a big hole in Mourinho’s squad for a defensive midfielder.
“Foyth needs to add more strength to his physique to fully take on the role, something he can do during this lockdown, while Mourinho could work on his discipline in the position.
“Dier was the perfect anchorman at the right time for Spurs after Pochettino converted him from being a defender.
“Mourinho could do exactly the same with Foyth, saving Tottenham some money in the mean time and preventing the loss of a talented young player who could go on to develop and shine elsewhere.”
Spurs Web Opinion
With Trippier being sold last summer, I expected Foyth to challenge Aurier for the right-back slot. However, it is clear that Jose Mourinho doesn’t rate him. I would be extremely surprised if the 22-year-old was still at Spurs next season.
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