Spurs Opinion: Lilywhites should bring in Hiroki Sakai as a replacement for Trippier
According to Metro, Spurs have identified Marseille right-back Hiroki Sakai as a potential replacement for English international Kieran Trippier, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Serie A with Napoli.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that the Lilywhites are set for a big squad overhaul this summer, with question marks lingering over the futures of a number of first-team stars. (h/t Metro)
As well as Trippier, left-back Danny Rose has been lined up as a target by Everton, while Christian Eriksen has openly discussed his desire to embrace a new challenge, amidst interest from Real Madrid. (h/t Metro)
The uncertainty over Trippier’s future has prompted the North Londoners to look for potential alternatives in the transfer market, and while Crystal Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been on the club’s radar for quite some time, the Lilywhites are likely to be put off by the Eagles £60 million valuation of the emerging star. (h/t Metro)
Spurs have been credited with an interest in 29-year-old Japanese international Hiroki Sakai, although the Lilywhites are aware of the fact that his resale value in the future would be close to nothing.
Sakai doesn’t exactly fit the profile of players that Spurs like to target in the transfer window but they have signed aged players like Fernando Llorente in the recent past and the club’s links with the Marseille star definitely makes a lot of sense.
Sakai enjoyed another fruitful season in the French top-flight with Marseille and was amongst the standout performers at the club, as Rudi Garcia’s side finished a disappointing fifth in Ligue 1. The 29-year-old contributed with a goal and 4 assists in 27 Ligue 1 outings for Marseille this past season and maintained his reputation as one of the best versatile full-backs in France.
Sakai started his professional career in his homeland with Kashiwa Reysol before earning a move to the Bundesliga with Hannover 96, where he spent four seasons and registered over a 100 appearances for the club.
The Japanese star moved across the continent to join Marseille on a free transfer back in 2016 following Hannover’s relegation from the Bundesliga and he has carved out a big reputation for himself over the course of his seven seasons in European football.
Sakai has made a total of 122 appearances for Marseille in all competitions and was one of the key architects of the club’s incredible run in the 2017-18 Europa League which saw the Ligue 1 outfit finish as runners-up to Atletico Madrid.
Essentially a right-back by trade, Sakai is also capable of playing as a left-back and further up the pitch as a winger. A fast and agile full-back noted for his pace, sharpness, athleticism and tenacity, the Japanese international excels with his wonderful game reading skills and calmness and composure in possession, whilst also possessing commendable aerial ability for a wide player.
Sakai might not be as good a crosser of the ball as Trippier but he makes up for it with his intelligent movement and link-up play down the flanks. Swift across the ground and very strong on the tackle, the 29-year-old is capable of shouldering both attacking and defensive responsibilities effectively.
The 56-cap Japanese international boasts of a pass success rate of 81.6, including 1 key pass, 3.1 aerial duels, 2.1 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 2.4 clearances per game in Ligue 1, figures which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a modern-day offensive-minded full-back.
To put things into perspective, Spurs should not hesitate to sign Hiroki Sakai, given his wealth of Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Europa League experience. Although Sakai is 29, he still has plenty of years remaining in his prime and one would expect him to fit seamlessly into Pochettino’s system.
The Lilywhites need to bring in fresh faces this summer, having failed to sign a single new player since January 2018 when Lucas Moura arrived from PSG. They have Kyle Walker-Peters as a useful back-up but he is still quite raw and inexperienced, whilst Serge Aurier is not the most consistent of players and definitely a suspect defensively.
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Suffice to say, Sakai would be an upgrade on the likes of Aurier and Walker-Peters should Trippier head for the exit door this summer and the Lilywhites should bring in the 29-year-old in a bid to freshen up things at the back.
