Journalist Jon Mackenzie has outlined the positional reasoning that explains why Tottenham Hotspur may want to sign Jack Harrison this summer.
According to a report by Sky Sports towards the end of June, Spurs were said to have an interest in the Leeds United player, who had been on their ‘radar’ for some time.
As of yet, no deal has developed, and that initial story did say that Harrison had a ‘very high’ transfer valuation, so that could well make a move seem unlikely.
Even so, while talking on the JustJoe Football Show, Mackenzie explained that Tottenham’s interest could exist as they see the player as an option to play at wing-back.
Indeed, The Athletic journalist said: “I think Harrison would make a good wing-back, which is why he’s been linked to teams like Spurs.
“In this [Leeds] system, I think you sort of lose Harrison’s upside, playing him as a full-back. Because as we’ve said, you’re not wanting to progress the ball in wide areas.”
He then added: “Linking him to someone like Spurs, I think he would have been pretty good as a Spurs full-back. Especially because one of Harrison’s problems is his indecisiveness a lot of the time.
“And I think having coaches like [Marcelo] Bielsa and [Antonio] Conte, who are both really high up on these automatisms, these sort of movements, these set-play routines in build-up that allow teams space, I think he would have probably fitted in quite nicely there.”
Would you want Jack Harrison as a wingback for Spurs?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Jack Harrison and Spurs…
Harrison has actually only played as a left-back once in his career and mostly operates up on the wing – though he has played as a more natural left-sided midfielder 11 times, too (as per Transfermarkt).
With that in mind, he certainly would have to learn a new role if Tottenham did sign him and put him in the wing-back position. But Mackenzie has clearly explained that this, in theory, is something that could work.
And with current left wing-back Sergio Reguilon supposedly in ‘advanced talks’ with La Liga club Sevilla over a possible move back to Spain, Conte could be on the lookout for a new option soon.
With all that in mind, perhaps it would be a little hasty to completely rule out this possible transfer just yet.
When you take a chance on giving someone a brand new role, you don’t expect to pay over the odds for him.. Maybe if he was on sale? then yes perhaps!