Former Tottenham man fearful of major transfer blunder if ‘top centre-back’ is sold
Paul Robinson is fearful his former club Tottenham could be set to make a major error in the summer transfer window by letting one of their defenders leave.
Spurs will likely adopt a different formation next season under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The Portuguese manager is a big believer in a three-man centre-back partnership. However, who will fill those roles is currently very much up in the air.
Their most senior option is Belgian Toby Alderweireld. However, reports indicate he has asked the club to leave this summer.
The next two most experienced players at their disposal are Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez. Neither have made a centre-back berth their won due to inconsistency in their performances.
And then Nuno is left with youngsters Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga. Hence, a deal for Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu is close to being completed.
However, Rodon has been linked with a move to Brighton. The Seagulls are searching for a replacement for Arsenal-bound Ben White.
This has gained the ire of Robinson. The ex-England goalkeeper feels allowing the Wales international to leave would be a big mistake.
He told Football Insider: “I think that Spurs would do well to keep hold of him. He’s been their best centre-half this season.
“They’ve obviously had trouble in that position but at times when Sanchez, Dier and Alderweireld haven’t performed, the manager’s turned to Rodon and he’s done really well.
“As a youngster, I think he shows a lot of potential. He’s only just signed and there’s no reason at all for Spurs to let him go. He’s not reached anywhere near his potential yet.
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“Nuno will want three centre-halves and two wing-backs. So he’s one that I’d definitely keep hold of.
“If Alderweireld and Rodon are leaving, Dier and Sanchez aren’t good enough, so suddenly you’ve got no centre-halves when you need three of them.”
Rodon made the move from Swansea to north London last summer. He signed a five-year contract so it would take a considerable fee to sign him.
He made just 12 Premier League appearances last season but should he stay, that number could be far exceeded under Nuno in 2021/22.
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Tottenham’s recruitment under fire
Robinson has also been critical of the potential signing of Tomiyasu, arguing that he’s not the calibre of centre-back that is required.
Reports linking the 22-year-old to Spurs came as a bit of a shock when they originated last month.
His club Bologna finished in the bottom half of Serie A last season and he is a name that would be unfamiliar to most of the club’s fanbase.
“Is he the world-class centre half they need? Probably not,” Robinson said.
“They have clearly identified him as a good player and someone who can be incorporated into the squad. But you wouldn’t expect him to start the first game of the Premier League season.”
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