OPINION
Tottenham are facing the prospect that one of their star midfielders, Mousa Dembele, is set to leave the club this summer according to the Mirror – and they now need to bring in a suitable replacement for his services.
The Sun reports that Arsenal are plotting to sign midfielder Steven Nzonzi from La Liga outfit Sevilla – but Tottenham must stun their rivals and hijack their pursuit of the 29-year-old to provide a suitable replacement for the departing Mousa Dembele.
Spurs will be lacking in the middle of the park once the Belgian international leaves, and their failure to find reinforcements may cost them in their quest to bid for a top four finish – let alone the Premier League title.
The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City both have strength and depth to their midfield, which will prove to be a difficult battle for Spurs without Dembele.
However, the midfield giant would be the ideal replacement for the 30-year-old, and the fact he has previous Premier League experience with Stoke City may prove pivotal in convincing boss Mauricio Pochettino to get one up on their bitter rivals.
Standing at 6’4″ (source: Transfermarkt) tall, the France international would tower above his midfield rivals, providing a solid presence that would be excellent back-up to an experienced Spurs back four.
The loss of Dembele would be leave a gaping hole in the heart of the Tottenham side, but Nzonzi would slot in seamlessly like nothing had ever happened.
Despite the fact that Nzonzi operates more as a defensive midfielder, he is also able to play as a central midfielder, of which is Dembele’s main position.
Fans will appreciate the Frenchman’s versatility in the midfield, and he may just be the player they have been crying out for – and now Dembele is on his way out, there is no better time to snap him up.
Pochettino must now hijack their North London rivals’ pursuit of Nzonzi, if they want to be successful in their quest for the title.