Why Tottenham should hold on to Davinson Sanchez in January
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez currently faces an uncertain future at the club after falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.
It has been claimed that the defender is now in a position where he could seek greener pastures in the January window if the right opportunity presents itself. A potential exit for the Colombian during the mid-season trading period looks unlikely, however, as that would leave Tottenham in need of signing a replacement. (h/t The Athletic)
The report doesn’t throw light on whether Spurs are willing to sanction a departure for the former Ajax star midway through the campaign. Sanchez came through the door from Ajax for a staggering club-record £42million in 2017 and played a key role in his first three seasons in North London.
However, the Colombian has fallen out of favour this term after struggling for form under Mourinho. Sanchez started 27 times in the Premier League last season but has only been afforded 5 league starts by the Portuguese so far in the ongoing campaign.
The 24-year-old didn’t play a part in nine consecutive PL fixtures for Tottenham after enduring an uncomfortable afternoon in the 3-3 draw against West Ham back in October.
The centre-back was recently recalled to the side for the trip to Wolves on December 27 but failed to impress as Tottenham squandered a lead to settle for a 1-1 draw at Molineux.
Davinson Sanchez has had a difficult last six months at Tottenham but that shouldn’t be enough to fuel speculations over his long-term future at the club. The Colombian has found himself behind the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier in the pecking order this season. But he still has plenty of time to stake a claim for a regular starting role.
With fixtures set to come thick and fast during a hectic second half of the campaign, Tottenham need quality alternatives in all departments. Sanchez might not have started regularly but he remains a key squad player under Mourinho. With Joe Rodon not a part of the club’s Europa League squad, the Colombian will certainly have a big part to play in the coming months.
Verdict
It’s true that Davinson Sanchez hasn’t really lived up to the expectations over the past three years. However, it would be fair to say that he has been pretty decent without being spectacular. The Colombian’s talent has never been called into question but his error-prone nature and lack of consistency have prevented him from fulfilling his promise.
Mourinho’s selection can’t be questioned either. Alderweireld and Dier have been quite brilliant at the heart of the defence this season, leaving Sanchez to play a bit-part role.
The Colombian, though, will surely get a fair crack of the whip in the coming months, with Jan Vertonghen no longer in the mix. Tottenham, as such, are under no real pressure to sell Sanchez, who still has a contract until 2024.
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Having said that, Spurs should handle the Colombian’s situation tactfully and try to get the best out of him. He still has plenty to offer and a departure in January would put the club under unnecessary pressure to bring in a replacement.