I think the next transfer window could be a big one for Tottenham Hotspur.

The North London side have slipped away from the Premier League title race once again and the third placed team could still be dragged into a dog fight to finish in the league’s top four positions.

They have progressed into the last eight of the Champions League and will now face English champions Manchester City in the quarter final stage.

But alas Spurs once again look to be tiring as the run-in arrives. The squad hasn’t been strengthened in the last two transfer windows and they’ve lacked real creativity and spark in recent weeks.

I believe Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino needs to add at least four new faces before the next campaign kicks off in August.

One new centre-back would help tighten up the defence, which hasn’t been at their strongest this term. A new back-up striker is once again needed as Harry Kane can’t take on the load for a full season without picking up an injury. Plus the Spurs coach also needs to refreshen his midfield options; with a new holding player and a more attack minded versatile star too.

An issue with this, is the fact that Tottenham have still got to move into their newly developed stadium. That endeavour has meant that the club has had to tighten its purse strings, thus probably why Pochettino hasn’t spent a penny during the last two windows.

That lack of hard cash means that The Lilywhites will need to be smart with whatever funds that they do have. The recruitment team will need to bring any potential and players that won’t cost an arm and a leg.

With that in mind, I think they should look at Celta Vigo midfielder Brais Méndez.

The Spaniard could be a potential signing that adds depth to Pochettino’s attacking midfield options.

Celta haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons this year and currently lie in the relegation zone, four points adrift of safety.

The team’s problem hasn’t come in the final third, they’re still in the top half of Spain’s top flight when it comes to goals scored.

In that regard, Méndez has actually had a pretty good season in La Liga.

The player can play in a various positions. He’s played mainly on the right this term but can also play as an attacking central midfielder, a forward or out on the left flank. Pochettino could be doing with more versatility in his squad.

Brais has been particularly impressive when it comes to spotting passes, creating chances and providing assists for teammates. So far this term he’s laid on seven league assists, which is the  fourth best in La Liga. Only Christian Eriksen has supplied more for Spurs this season.

The attacking midfielder has also found the back of the net five times.

The playmaker hasn’t managed to break the 80% or above stats when it comes to his passing success rate but it should be remembered that he’s playing for a side fighting relegation. Plus he’s nearly there at 78.5% (from Whoscored.com).

As well as being creative, Méndez also works hard to get the ball back for his team. On average he’s making around 2.1 tackles per league game. That’s better than any Spurs midfielder has managed during this campaign.

The Celta youth product’s form has been rewarded with a first call-up into the Spanish senior set-up. He scored the only goal on his international debut as Spain defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina. The midfielder may just be the successor to David Silva in the Spanish national team.

The player himself told AS just how happy he was with his debut:

“Happy for being able to debut and what better way to do it than helping the team”.

Being just twenty-two years old, Brais is also of an age that Mauricio Pochettino likes when he’s signing a new player. The Argentine coach likes to bring in young, enthusiastic players that are hungry to learn and succeed.

Football-Espana reported late last year that Leicester City were interested in the player and were told that his buyout clause was just €25m. That’s a modest fee these days and one that could be tempting to Spurs. It is a fee that might even go down, if Celta get relegated this term.

As I’ve already said, Tottenham Hotspur need to freshen things up in the summer and will need to do it by bringing in the best talent at an affordable price.

Celta Vigo’s Brais Méndez could be just the type of player that will improve this current crop at Spurs!

Posted on March 21st, 2019 by scott
Filed under: Article