OPINION
Tottenham have been widely panned for their decision – for whatever reason that might be – not to make a single signing over the summer window, but it seems as though their plans for the January window are already under way – although they really should not be.
Italian news outlet Sport Mediaset claim that Serie A giants Roma are joined by the Lilywhites in the hunt for 70-cap Mexico international Hector Herrera, who is currently plying his trade at Porto as the club’s captain.
The 28-year-old has plenty of experience for club and country, as he approaches his 200th game for the Portuguese outfit, but that does not mean that Spurs should be making a move for him.
Not only is his record as a midfielder pretty average – 27 goals and 32 assists in his 197 appearances – but his arrival in north London would only kill the chances of some of Tottenham’s young talents to make the step up into the senior side.
There are no less than three impressive central starlets – all at different stages of their careers – at Spurs in the shape of 22-year-old Harry Winks, 21-year-old Luke Amos and 17-year old Oliver Skipp, and Herrera’s arrival would just put a significant barrier in the way of all three of them.
With Winks having impressed in the first team and Amos on the fringes this season, another midfielder is completely unnecessary, and even if someone like Mousa Dembele does leave, Herrera is not the answer.
Spurs have had an issue with their homegrown quota in the Champions League and bringing players through their youth system is the only real answer without paying through the nose for rival talents.
Herrera is not an answer – he would only be an issue, and as such Mauricio Pochettino needs to bin his plans.