Spurs Opinion: Lilywhites can certainly look for better players than West Ham’s Arthur Masuaku
According to The Sun, Spurs are keeping close tabs on West Ham left-back Arthur Masuaku, with a view to a potential transfer in the summer.
The Sun understands that Spurs are likely to face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Serie A outfit Fiorentina in their pursuit of the 25-year-old Congolese left-back.
The same source claims that Spurs are currently on the lookout for a new left-back, with England international Danny Rose unsettled at the club and likely to head for the exit door in the summer transfer window.
Masuaku has reportedly impressed Tottenham’s scouts in East London and the Lilywhites are currently weighing up a move for the 25-year-old, as they start to prepare for life without Rose. (h/t Sun)
The Congolese international has enjoyed an extended run in West Ham’s first-team this season under manager Manuel Pellegrini due to the absence of Aaron Cresswell. Masuaku has made a total of 23 appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League this season and has caught the eye with his pace, skills, drive and determination down the left flank.
Masuaku, who made his move to the London Stadium from Olympiacos back in 2016 for a fee in the region of £6 million, has made a total of 75 appearances for West Ham in all competitions till date, accumulating a goal and 6 assists.
He has come under criticism at times for his occasional lapses in concentration but the 25-year-old has spent three seasons at East London with varying degrees of success.
A modern-day offensive-minded full-back, Masuaku often looks like a winger when he charges at his opposition with pace and directness. Although he lacks the crossing ability of a top-class full-back, he is a good passer of the ball and has a penchant for picking out the right passes in the final third.
To add to that, the Congolese international has an absolute hammer of a left foot that is capable of firing shots on goal from outside the box.
Pace, dribbling, sharpness, agility and acceleration- Masuaku seemingly has all the attributes to qualify as a decent-enough attacking full-back, but it is his calibre as a defender that has been pulled into question numerous times over the course of his career.
At times, he tends to go too far forward and makes himself look like a defensive liability by getting caught out of position on the break. His positioning this season has often left a lot to be desired, while his inability to deal with the transitions in play has often come back to haunt his team.
The 25-year-old averages an impressive 2.5 tackles, 2.4 clearances and 1.6 interceptions per game in the Premier League this season, numbers which look incredible on paper, but in all honesty, he lacks the level of concentration and composure to play for a title-contending club in the Premier League.
He gets bullied and squared up by quality wingers more often than not Spurs should give this move a second thought.
If Spurs are really serious about signing a new full-back, they should look at someone who could be an upgrade on their existing options. Even if Rose departs, they would still have the services of Ben Davies, who is a quality full-back and Masuaku can’t be an upgrade on him.
Agreed, Masuaku has plenty of pace and power and he can be devastating on his day but Spurs don’t need to bring in a full-back who has a record of being inconsistent defensively.
The north Londoners are in dire need of bringing in fresh faces to bolster their ranks this summer but the club’s links with Mausaku looks more like a desperate measure to replace Danny Rose.
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They have made it to the finals of the Champions League this season and will be expected to challenge the likes of Man City and Liverpool for the Premier League title next term. Surely, they have got to aim for better players in the transfer market to get their hands on some much-awaited silverware.
