Tottenham signing this 23-year-old goalkeeping starlet would be smart work

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Tottenham should make a move for Ugurcan Cakir in the summer

According to Turkish website Fotospor via Sport Witness (h/t The Leicester Mercury), Tottenham are interested in signing Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Ugurcan Cakir, 23, has been the first choice for Trabzonspor this season and has made 26 appearances across all competitions. He has impressed in the goal for Trabzonspor this season, pulling off eight saves against Fenerbahce in the derby over the weekend to inspire his side to a 2-1 victory.

The report (h/t The Leicester Mercury) adds that Tottenham will face competition from the likes of Burnley and Leicester City for the 23-year-old shot-stopper.

Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir is seen during the friendly under-21 football match between France and Turkey at the Robert Diochon stadium in the northwestern city of Le Petit-Quevilly, northwestern France on October 12, 2018. (Getty Images)
Turkey’s goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir is seen during the friendly under-21 football match between France and Turkey at the Robert Diochon stadium in the northwestern city of Le Petit-Quevilly, northwestern France on October 12, 2018. (Getty Images)

Spurs’ Hugo Lloris returned between the sticks after a long injury spell since that dislocated elbow against Brighton at the start of the season. Since his return to the starting XI, Mourinho’s side have looked a tad solid at the back. The Frenchman is a leader on the pitch and has made a telling impact, most notably saving an Ilkay Gundogan penalty in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Manchester City over the weekend.

In Lloris’ absence, Paulo Gazzaniga failed to make an impact. In 16 starts, Spurs won just five games and kept two clean sheets in the process. Thus, Tottenham’s interest in Cakir makes sense.

As per WhoScored, Cakir has averaged 23.3 passes, 5.9 long balls and a 58.3% pass accuracy, whilst conceding 19 goals and keeping three clean sheets in 18 league games. Gazzaniga, on the other hand, has averaged 25.5 passes, 4.1 long balls and 58.4% pass accuracy, whilst conceding 23 goals and keeping two sheets in 17 games. [Courtesy: WhoScored]

Paulo Gazzaniga in action for Tottenham. (Getty Images)
Paulo Gazzaniga in action for Tottenham. (Getty Images)

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Upon comparing their stats, one can see that Cakir has leaked fewer goals and kept more clean sheets than Gazzaniga. The Tottenham goalkeeper may just shade Cakir in terms of passing accuracy but he has conceded more goals while keeping only two clean sheets.

Verdict

Cakir would be a smart addition to Tottenham’s defensive ranks. With Lloris set to turn 34 in December, Spurs would be wise to get a long-term replacement for their skipper by signing the Turkish shot-stopper.