Why Tottenham should end their pursuit of Diego Godin
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Football London), Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho had expressed an interest in Inter Milan defender Diego Godin.
The 34-year-old had been Mourinho’s top targets when he was a manager at his former side Manchester United. However, a deal never materialised and the centre-back stayed with his former club Atletico Madrid (h/t Football London).
Now with his current side Tottenham set to lose their veteran defender Jan Vertonghen by the end of this season (h/t The Sun), Mourinho is the lookout for new defensive reinforcements. Belgian Vertonghen’s current deal at Spurs is set to expire this June and Mourinho is well aware that he has huge shoes to fill in if the centre-back decides to depart.
Despite age slowing him down, Vertonghen had managed to hold on to his regular spot. His vast experience will be something that the club will miss. Moreover with the Spurs defence not performing consistently enough this season, a new centre-back should be a top priority for Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Godin, who currently plies his trade with Serie A outfit Inter Milan is no newcomer. Like Vertonghen, he is also a seasoned campaigner having spent a major portion of his career with La Liga side Atletico Madrid, from where he switched to Italy last summer.
However, he hasn’t quite settled to life in Italy and has featured just 17 times in the league so far. With the likes of young Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij impressing at the back for Inter, Godin has seen his time increasingly limited under manager Antonio Conte.
A veteran of 533 club appearances, there is no denying that Godin is one of the most celebrated and efficient defenders around. However, he is not the player he once was as Conte’s team selection this season gives a fair idea regarding that.
Moreover, Tottenham need a long-term future replacement for Vertonghen and not another old horse in Godin, who turned 34 this year. Mourinho’s Spurs should rather save the money and look for better options in the coming days.
Also, Davinson Sanchez has grown in stature now, making 110 appearances for the club. Hence it would be wise of Mourinho to end his pursuit of veteran Godin.
Read more:
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- Why Harry Kane is a bigger player meant for larger things in his career
- Why Tottenham should plot a summer swoop for Man City’s John Stones
Verdict
It would be a sheer waste of money for Mourinho to go in pursuit of a defender like Godin, who is clearly past his prime. The Portuguese should rather be looking for a player with an eye on the future than going for a temporary solution.
