OPINION
Daniel Levy could play a blinder if Tottenham manage to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Stanislav Lobotka this summer after it was reported that the North London club is interested in the Slovakia international.
The Mirror reported via their live transfer blog on Sunday [10:45am] that Spurs are in the hunt to sign the 24-year-old, but as claimed by Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, they will face competition from West Ham in the race for his signature.
Lobotka’s Celta Vigo have not had the best of seasons in La Liga but Mauricio Pochettino needs to strengthen his midfield options this summer and a defensive-minded one like the Slovakian could be just the player that he needs in his side.
Mousa Dembele left Tottenham in January and according to the Daily Mail, they are willing to listen to offers for Victor Wanyama.
It is clear that Spurs’ midfield needs a revamp, especially in the deeper-lying roles where there is more emphasis on defending and protecting the back-line, and Lobotka is just the man that Spurs need to sit in front of their defence next season.
According to stats by WhoScored, Lobotka averaged one tackle, 0.8 interceptions and 0.5 clearances per match. In comparison to Wanyama, the Kenyan averaged the same amount of tackles per match and more clearances [0.7] but only 0.5 interceptions.
Lobotka is not just equal to Wanyama when he is off the ball, but he is far better than the Spurs midfielder when he is on the ball.
The Celta Vigo star completed 89.2 per cent of his passes in La Liga, while Wanyama only managed 81 per cent in his Premier League outings. Eric Dier’s pass completion was also worse at 84.9 per cent.
It is worth mentioning that Lobotka did this for a team that finished 17th in La Liga last season, whereas Spurs finished fourth in England’s top-flight.
Lobotka would definitely be a solid addition for Spurs and as reported by the Guardian, he has even been compared to Luka Modric over in Spain. No Spurs fan is likely to turn down the idea of signing the ‘new Modric’.
It may be a costly move because as previously reported by Calcio Mercato, there is a £44.5million release clause in the former Ajax midfielder’s contract at Celta Vigo, but there is no doubt that he would be interested in a switch to Tottenham this summer and play in the Champions League next season.
Levy and Pochettino have a big summer ahead of them and the midfield is the main area that they need to focus on strengthening before next season kicks off.
Lobotka could be just the man they need in that area.