Why Tottenham must snap up Watford’s Ben Foster in the summer
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham are keen to sign Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Ben Foster, 36, will be out of contract this summer and as he’s inside the final six months of his deal, he can already negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs. The Englishman has arguably been Watford’s best player in an otherwise disappointing Premier League campaign, starting all 28 games thus far.
In fact, the veteran goalkeeper played his part in the Hornets’ shock 3-0 victory over league leaders Liverpool on Saturday, as Nigel Pearson’s side climbed out of the relegation zone. With Foster impressing in goal this term, Tottenham must look to snap him up in the summer.
Spurs have been awful defensively this season. Even after Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, things haven’t improved significantly, with the north Londoners continuing to leak goals at an alarming rate. They have now conceded 39 goals in 28 games, which is more than the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.
Defenders such as Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez haven’t looked convincing at all throughout the 2019/20 season. Problems in the goalkeeping department have piled more misery to Mourinho’s side.
Hugo Lloris has suffered from a dip in form in the past 18 months or so and has struggled with injuries this term. He dislocated his shoulder in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton that kept him out of action for nearly four months. While the Frenchman returned stronger from injury, did not feature in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In Lloris’ absence, Paulo Gazzaniga was in goal for Spurs as Mourinho’s side conceded three goals to Wolves. Meanwhile, third-choice goalkeeper Michel Vorm’s short-term deal expires at the end of the season. Having said that, Mourinho should address the goalkeeping department in the summer by signing Foster.
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Foster is a highly experienced goalkeeper who has played 316 Premier League games, representing top clubs such as Manchester United, Birmingham City, West Brom and Watford. He has also represented England eight times.
Verdict
Even at the ripe age of 36, Foster has shown that he can still be a first-choice stopper in the Premier League. The former England international would be a good choice to cover and compete with Foster next season.
