Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has shared the "important" signing he thinks Tottenham will make this summer, and it could be "something special".
Lange making Spurs transfer plans ahead of summer window
The next transfer window will be an all-important one for Spurs, as technical director Johan Lange gears up to back manager Ange Postecoglou after what has been a successful debut season at the club for him.
Player has told his agents he wants to be a Tottenham player next season
He’s informed his entourage behind-the-scenes.
By
Emilio Galantini
Mar 20, 2024
Spurs supporters have been reinvigorated by the Australian's electric brand of football, and while a place in next season's Champions League group stage pot is still under contention, that isn't the be-all and end-all of Postecoglou's goals from 2023/2024.
"I don't see fourth as the prize," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's European hopes.
"This club has finished fourth before. It's finished second before. You can throw all types of things at it, it's reached the Champions League final, you can throw all sorts of things but this club has achieved things. So fourth is not my end goal.
Tottenham's next league fixtures
Date
Luton Town (home)
March 30th
West Ham (away)
April 2nd
Nottingham Forest (home)
April 8th
Newcastle United (away)
April 13th
Arsenal (home)
April 27th
"I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team. If nobody believes me then that's fine. Part of the narrative is to push you in these kind of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year. It doesn't give you anything unless… fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year.
"But fourth is not our goal."
While securing Champions League qualification, and all the riches that come with it, is seen as important by many – it appears the overall project is what matters to Postecoglou.
Lange, meanwhile, will be looking to support in the best way possible – by facilitating moves for some of Postecoglou's top transfer targets. It is believed that Tottenham are keen to bolster key areas of the squad, namely by bringing in a new winger, midfielder and centre-back this summer.
Fabrizio Romano shares "important" signing he thinks Spurs will make
Speaking to JD Football this week, Romano has shared the "important" signing he thinks Tottenham will make.
Indeed, according to the respected journalist, Spurs are likely to move for a star midfielder in an effort to hand Postecoglou a new option in that position – coming amid repeated links to Atalanta star Ederson and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher celebrates.
“I see Tottenham signing an important midfielder in the summer transfer window," said Romano.
“But a really important one. I think they want to do something special in that position.”
Uncertainty surrounds the future of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has barely started a game for Spurs this season and is out of contract in 2025 – which is perhaps why they want to reinforce in this position.
Nos últimos dias, o jornal argentino “Olé” promoveu uma enquete para ter uma noção a respeito da Libertadores. A pergunta foi a seguinte: “Com qual time você gostaria que o River Plate jogasse nas oitavas de final?”. Com cerca de 16 mil votos, a opção “Flamengo” ficou à frente, com 25% da votação.
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A segunda opção mais votada é a “argentinos”, com 16%. O rival local Racing está na terceira colocação neste quesito, com 15% da preferência dos “hinchas” do River.
+ GALERIA: Veja os potes para o sorteio das oitavas da Libertadores 2021
A reportagem do tradicional veículo aponta que o motivo para o Flamengo liderar a enquete “só se explica de uma maneira: desejo de uma espécie de revanche”, tendo em vista que o Rubro-Negro foi campeão da Libertadores de 2019 justamente em cima do River Plate, na final única de Lima, por 2 a 1.
O “Olé” lembra ainda que o sentimento de revanche também se justifica pois o elenco do Flamengo ainda possui diversos jogadores que estavam há dois no Peru, citando Diego Alves, William Arão, Filipe Luís, Everton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta, Diego, Gerson, Bruno Henrique e, é claro, Gabi, autor dos dois gols na decisão.
+ Veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão
O duelo é possível pois o River Plate (pote 2) ficou em segundo lugar, enquanto o Flamengo terminou a fase de grupos na primeira colocação. O sorteio das oitavas de final da Libertadores vai acontecer nesta terça-feira, às 13h (de Brasília), na sede da Conmebol, em Luque, no Paraguai (saiba mais aqui).
Ange Postecoglou was tasked with leading the revival at Tottenham Hotspur last summer and so far the Australian manager is rooting north London with much promise.
Spurs languished to an eighth-placed Premier League finish last season and the culmination of that miserable campaign led chairman Daniel Levy to a critical juncture, with a palpable sense that resurgent Arsenal and usual suspects Manchester City and Liverpool were going to pull further away.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.
While the current season has seen its share of ups and downs for Tottenham, there's no question that the club are heading in the right direction, recruiting shrewdly in the transfer market and displaying an attractive new brand of football.
It's certainly not been easy for Postecoglou, inheriting an outfit that had flatted to deceive last year and contending with the £100m sale of Harry Kane to German giants Bayern Munich.
While Kane's departure felt inevitable, it would have been lovely to have kept him down N17.
What Harry Kane achieved at Spurs
Kane did not slot right into the Tottenham first-team, with his latent ability leaving him well regarded but not at the requisite level for a starring spot, spending a few itinerant years enjoying a series of loan spells with lower-league sides such as Leicester City and Leyton Orient.
He did make his Premier League debut way back in 2012, coming off the bench in the late stage of the campaign's opening fixture as his side were defeated at St. James' Park.
Harry Kane's Premier League Debut:
Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham (18/08/2012)
(GK) Brad Friedel
(RB) Kyle Walker
(CB) Younes Kaboul
(CB) William Gallas
(LB) Benoit Essou-Ekotto
(CM) Sandro (Sub: Harry Kane)
(CM) Jake Livermore
(RW) Aaron Lennon
(AM) Gylfri Sigurdsson (Sub: Rafael van der Vaart)
(LW) Gareth Bale
(ST) Jermaine Defoe
Kane returned to make his mark at the end of the following season, 2013/14, scoring three goals and supplying two assists across the final six outings of the term to announce himself to the division, a portent of the riches to come.
Kane would bag 21 goals the following Premier League season, and then 25, and then 28, then 30. The sensational Englishman aimed and fired and scored and scored and scored. Once notoriously tagged a 'one-season wonder', his country's record goalscorer defied critics with the devastating constancy of the game's great centre-forwards.
Harry Kane with Heung-min Son for Tottenham.
In the Champions League, for both Tottenham and Bayern Munich, the 30-year-old has 25 strikes and eight assists from 39 fixtures, praised for his "world-class" qualities by former Lilywhites boss Antonio Conte.
That first elusive slice of silverware continues to sit tantalisingly out of reach, but anyone worth their salt would look at Kane and conclude that he is a player defined not by a cabinet of metal but by his merit, his world-class shooting skills and his unwavering leadership and commitment on the pitch.
The 6 foot 2 star might not have lifted a trophy with Spurs but he has written his name on the walls, with only Alan Shearer's 260 Premier League goals above second-record scorer Kane's 213, with the latter boasting a superior goal-to-game consistency too.
He might have moved to Germany to spearhead Bayern, but he is a Tottenham legend, one of the greatest goalscorers to have graced English shores.
How Harry Kane is performing at Bayern Munich
In fairness, while Bayern Munich are not enjoying the best campaign by any stretch, Kane has hardly struggled to settle in, having scored 31 goals and provided eight assists for his teammates across 31 appearances in all competitions.
In the German Bundesliga, as per Sofascore, the "phenomenon" – as he was described by Bayern sports director Christoph Freund – has posted 27 goals and five assists from just 23 matches, complementing this absurd rate of success with 3.3 successful duels per game and creating a total of nine big chances.
He was always considered one of the best around and while he has moved to an ostensibly inferior division in quality, Kane is now the focal point of one of Europe's pre-eminent clubs in Bayern Munich.
As such, his market value reflects his standing: one of the finest football players on the continent.
Harry Kane's market value in 2024
Bayern Munich forked out around £100m for Kane's arrival, and while Football Transfers' valuation model actually projects his true transfer value at £93m, he is considered to be the fourth most valuable player in the world, ahead of fifth-placed compatriot Bukayo Saka.
Most Valuable Players in the World
#
Player
Market Value
1.
Jude Bellingham
£120m
2.
Erling Haaland
£116m
3.
Kylian Mbappe
£105m
4.
Harry Kane
£93m
5.
Bukayo Saka
£86m
Source: Football Transfers
Interestingly, Kane is not the most valuable Englishman on the block but then he will not contest with the prodigious Jude Bellingham's crown in that regard, the 20-year-old utterly mesmerising in his age-belying dominance since moving to Real Madrid last summer.
Still, one of the most coveted assets around, Kane's creativity, link-up and build-up play, artfulness in possession and control in attacking sequences are almost tantamount to his world-class striking ability, but not quite.
Harry Kane for Tottenham.
At his core, Kane is a centre-forward, one of the very best. He's a deadly marksman and the fact that he is on the wrong side of 30 does not allow Saka to edge him in the list of football's most valuable players.
The Arsenal phenomenon, in fairness, is one of the Premier League's standout stars and he continues to improve with each passing month, having posted an incredible return of eight goals and one assist across his past seven league appearances.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.
As Mikel Arteta's Gunners chase down the title, Kane's compatriot is probably his side's most important member, having complemented his deadliness in front of goal with an elite playmaking edge and tenacity in his defensive duties, averaging 2.5 key passes, 2.0 tackles and 6.0 successful duels per league match.
At 22 years old, Saka has age on his side and will undoubtedly go down as one of English football's contemporary greats, barring any unforeseen external hindrances, but he is not yet his nation's cream of the crop.
That tag lies with Kane, who might sit behind Bellingham monetarily but is unquestionably his country's star.
Tottenham can't exactly rue the day he departed for Germany, with one year left on his deal, a lucrative compensation flung toward north London and a career of staunch servitude that handed him the keys to unlock his own path, but it remains a bitter pill to swallow nonetheless.
Kane didn't close the door conclusively; a return to his endearing outfit may yet emerge down the line. But, in the present, just imagine the success that Postecoglou would find with the Tottenham and England men's record goalscorer leading the line, leading the very club toward an exciting future.
Na última sexta-feira (30), o presidente do São Paulo, Julio Casares, deu entrevista coletiva para falar dos 100 dias de gestão no Tricolor. Entre os assuntos abordados, esteve a questão financeira do Tricolor e possíveis vendas de jogadores do elenco de Crespo.
Cotia em alta: veja até quando vão os contratos dos jovens revelados no São Paulo
Casares afirmou que saídas podem acontecer nesta temporada, sendo inclusive parte do orçamento previsto para esse ano. A diretoria pretende cortar cerca de 15% de gastos no departamento de futebol.
VEJA A TABELA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA
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– As vendas dos jogadores estão previstas no orçamento, e estão previstas no orçamento deste ano. O ideal é que a gente não precisasse da venda de jogador, mas acontece ou pode acontecer. Se você pegar um co-irmão, ele vem há um ou dois anos vendendo um jogador importante por ano – disse o mandatário do clube do Morumbi.
Casares exemplificou a questão com a veda do atacante Brenner ao FC Cincinnati, dos Estados Unidos. Nesta semana, o L! mostrou quanto o São Paulo vai receber pela negociação do jovem revelado em Cotia.
– O São Paulo não vai fugir: alargamos o elenco, temos até um grupo de dois times e meio com muitos jogadores da base. Estão lá o Talles Costa, o Gabriel Sara, o Igor Gomes, o Diego Costa, o Luan, o Vitinho, o Liziero e outros que estão chegando. Com elenco largo, você pode ajustar quando a proposta é boa, como fizemos com Brenner – afirmou.
Um dos atletas ventilados para sair é o meia Igor Gomes. No mês passado, o empresário do jogador, Wagner Ribeiro afirmou, em entrevista ao ‘Blog do Menon’, que ele pode sair em junho, na próxima janela de transferências europeias, em uma proposta que gire em torno de 25 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 163 milhões).
Vale ressaltar que ainda não há propostas pelo jogador e nenhum atleta do São Paulo. Resta saber como serão os próximos meses.
Leeds United are a frightening prospect to come up against in the Championship at the moment, seven wins on the bounce for Daniel Farke's self-assured Whites in the second tier seeing them shoot up to second in the division at the expense of Southampton.
Barely having to break a sweat last match to dispatch of Swansea City 4-0, Leeds will just want the victories to keep flowing on their travels down to Devon this Saturday against Plymouth Argyle.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
Yet, the confident Whites could be even stronger currently if they'd just held on to this exciting left-back instead of binning him off in 2022.
Leif Davis' time at Leeds United
Nobody could have quite predicted what Leif Davis would go on to achieve with Ipswich Town when looking back at his humble beginnings in West Yorkshire, the now explosive 24-year-old unremarkable playing for Leeds after stepping up from the academy into the first-team mix.
The current Tractor Boys number three would only manage to pick up a solitary assist from 14 first-team appearances at Elland Road, before being chucked out to AFC Bournemouth on loan during the 2021/22 season.
After this loan switch to the Cherries – which saw Davis register similar forgettable numbers to his time in the senior fold with Leeds at one assist from 15 appearances – Leeds would cut ties with the dynamic defender which has proven to be a foolish move in retrospect.
Victor Orta wouldn't let Davis go for cheap however at the time, managing to at least get a respectable £1m to allow the 6-foot full-back to exit West Yorkshire.
Now, with Davis' transfer value coming in at a far greater €4.6m (£3.9m) according to Football Transfers, this is a deal Leeds will regret signing off on regardless of any money entering their bank.
Despite Junior Firpo coming into his own with four assists in a much-improved 2024 for the second-tier side, Davis could well have been an even more impactful assist king for Farke's men this season over the former Barcelona man.
What Leif Davis has achieved at Ipswich
Davis has become a man-possessed since making the switch to Suffolk, a crucial cog in Kieran McKenna's machine at Portman Road when it comes to Ipswich devastating teams with their full-throttle attacking play.
Since leaving Leeds behind, Davis has notched up 31 goals and assists combined with 30 of those coming at Ipswich across two unbelievable seasons for the 24-year-old.
Described as an "animal" by former Bournemouth manager Scott Parker despite never really showing his full potential on the South Coast, Davis is now living up to Parker's words with 13 assists managed this season in the second tier from just 28 games.
Season
Games played
Goals
Assists
2023-24
28
0
13
2022-23
43
3
14
In stark contrast, Firpo – over his entire career to date – has only accumulated 16 assists with Davis only three off that total unbelievably in just one season.
With Leeds having troubles in the left-back spot this season owing to injury issues amongst many other dilemmas, it does feel like a case of what could have been if the promotion-chasing Whites had stuck by Davis instead of offloading him.
Leeds could well still have the final long-standing triumph over Davis at Ipswich this season regardless, however, as Farke and Co eye up consolidating an automatic promotion spot whilst Ipswich linger below in fourth.
Chelsea's sporting directors have been slammed on social media after reports emerged suggesting they have bid for Samu Omorodion.
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Chelsea keen to continue building squadPrioritising young playersReportedly bid €40m for Omorodion.Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea's early moves in the transfer market are kicking up a storm after reports emerged suggesting they have put €40 million (£34m/$43m) on the table for 20-year-old Omorodion. The striker has been on loan at Deportivo Alaves from Atletico Madrid but only managed to score eight times in 2023-24.
AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
Chelsea fan @HarryStubbs1111 is clearly not very happy with the news. He posted on X: "The sporting director need to get their head examined."
Another supporter, @ArchieStanding, refused to get drawn into the negativity, saying: "There are about 7 people on this entire app who have actually watched Samu Omorodion. Anyone who claims they have watched him enough to make a sufficient judgement on the player is telling porkies….. 97% of us googled him 27 minutes ago and don’t have a scooby. 😂"
@MambalmMourinho appeared devastated, adding: "Can't recognise my club man. Sad state of affairs."
And @LOUW1LL1AMS simply said: "No way we getting Omarion."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Todd Boehly undoubtedly wants the best for Chelsea, but his transfer decisions are continuing to cause mass confusion. It is very rare for the Blues to target a well-known name over a youth prospect from the other side of Europe or the world. If they are to compete at the top of the Premier League anytime soon, it may be worth Boehly evaluating his approach to the market.
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GOALWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
After sacking Mauricio Pochettino following Chelsea's fifth-placed finish last term, Enzo Maresca will have the summer to prepare his new squad for the challenges to come in 2024-25. He will want to get his business done early, but whether he specifically requested Omorodion remains unknown.
West Ham United, with Michail Antonio still sidelined through injury and Danny Ings still struggling to make his mark, are reportedly in the market for a new forward, making surprise contact for one particular Premier League striker. As the January transfer window approaches its deadline, the Hammers could yet add to their attack.
West Ham transfer news
The biggest name linked with a move to the London Stadium when it comes to solving their striker problem has been Victor Boniface. According to reports, the Hammers are ready to smash their transfer record to sign the Bayer Leverkusen man. However, David Moyes' verdict on West Ham's budget may suggest otherwise.
Moyes has previously said: "Our budget isn't huge in this window. There's lots of reasons why there's probably not a lot of signings going on. We probably need to sell to get some other players in. If that’s the case then we’re probably in a selling mood, rather than a loaning mood.”
With that said the Irons could yet turn to alternative options for Boniface and those who may not cost such a hefty price this month. And among those could be Aston Villa's Jhon Duran. According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon, West Ham have made a "surprise" enquiry for Duran in their search to put an end to their forward woes.
Nixon revealed in his Patreon: “Hammers have also made a surprise inquiry for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian wants more game time and may fancy a move. However Villa are unlikely to do business for Duran, who has other admirers including Chelsea, unless there is a big offer rather than a loan deal.”
Given that Duran only joined the Midlands club last summer, their transfer stance is hardly a surprise even amid West Ham's reported interest, with The Guardian since adding that the Hammers have had a reply, with their approach rejected by Villa.
"Powerful" Duran could replace Antonio
Amid Antonio's injury concerns and status as a player not exactly getting any younger at 33 years old, West Ham could be wise to sign someone of Duran's calibre. The 20-year-old has struggled to displace the in-form Ollie Watkins at Villa Park this season, meaning that a move could suit all parties involved this season. The youngster has previously earned the praise of Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who posted on X earlier in Duran's career:
Duran's stats, when he has been given a chance, make for impressive reading. The forward has scored four goals in all competitions, having started seven games and played a total of 659 minutes – the same as just over seven games. At 20 years old, the Colombian is only likely to get better too, making him an ideal replacement for Antonio. As the window comes to a close, it will be interesting to see whether West Ham push on and seal a surprise deal.
Tottenham are believed to be interested in signing an "exceptional" £20 million player, with a deal for Genoa star Radu Dragusin now finally sealed.
Spurs beat Bayern in race for Dragusin
On Wednesday morning, renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano gave Spurs supporters the news they all wanted to hear.
Tottenham eyeing club's 2023 "player of the season" after Redknapp praise
He’s been on fire for them.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 10, 2024
Indeed, according to the reporter, Tottenham have beaten Bayern Munich to the signing of Dragusin in a huge boost for manager Ange Postecoglou – who will look to register the Romanian in time for Sunday's clash with Man United.
Bayern and Napoli were threatening to hijack Tottenham's bid for Dragusin on Tuesday (Gianluca Di Marzio), and especially the former, with Thomas Tuchel's men submitting an offer which was accepted by Genoa.
It then came down to the 21-year-old to decide between north London and Bavaria, with Dragusin ultimately choosing Postecoglou's side. After contending with a serious lack of depth at centre-back over the past few months, Dragusin's arrival will come as welcome news for Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy.
With both the defender's signing and RB Leipzig ace Timo Werner arriving on loan, attention now turns to outgoings or if Spurs attempt another new arrival before January 31.
Postecoglou would ideally like another midfielder if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves, according to widespread reports in the last few weeks, but he's also got his sights set on some of Europe's finest talents.
Tottenham hold an interest in signing Adam Wharton from Blackburn as one example, while there have been Spurs links to Ajax wonderkid Gabriel Misehouy.
Tottenham want to sign Roony Bardghji
According to journalist Graeme Bailey and HITC, another target for the north Londoners after Dragusin could be FC Copenhagen sensation Roony Bardghji.
The Swede, who scored in Copenhagen's historic 4-3 group stage win over Man United in the Champions League earlier this season, is attracting real interest from N17.
Tottenham are apparently keen on signing Bardghji and there's every chance he could make the move in January, as his club are prepared to do business for the right price.
FC Copenhagen midfielderRoony Bardghji.
Copenhagen, though, are demanding around £20 million to sell their starlet as other clubs like Aston Villa, Brentford and Newcastle take a liking to him as well.
“He has an understanding of the game, as well as good balance and coordination," said Roger Franzen on Bardghji's sky-high potential.
"He has exceptional technique with the ball at his feet. It's incredibly difficult to take the ball off him. He is good one-on-one and has a good shot. He can shoot with both feet, even if he is basically left-footed, he can finish with the right as well.
“That makes him very difficult to read for the defenders. Will he go right or left? It makes him difficult to handle.”
The January transfer window is officially open for business and this means that Tottenham Hotspur now have the opportunity to add to their squad.
Spurs enjoyed a terrific start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign as they won eight of their opening ten matches, with draws in the other two, but injury problems have caused their form to plummet.
Ange Postecoglou's side has been riddled with absences as the likes of Cristian Romero, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Sessegnon, and Manor Solomon, among many others, are currently out injured.
The Australian head coach has made it clear that he would like to bring in another central defender this month to bolster his options in that position.
Trevoh Chalobah
20th December
Jean-Clair Todibo
20th December
Morato
19th December
Radu Dragusin
16th December
Sebastian Caceres
14th December
Jarrad Branthwaite
13th December
With Romero and van de Ven out, Spurs have been forced to deploy Ben Davies and Emerson Royal at centre-back, which is not ideal as both players are out of their natural positions.
Spurs transfer news – Dragusin and Scalvini
Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday that Tottenham are prepared to make an official offer to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa this month.
The Italian journalist claimed that the club have already opened talks with the Serie A side over a potential deal to sign the central defender over the coming weeks.
He also stated that the centre-back has already said yes to Spurs and is, therefore, willing to join them. This suggests that personal terms would not be an issue if a fee can be agreed between the two clubs.
Radu Dragusin up against Victor Osimhen for Genoa.
Romano has since provided an update that states Genoa are looking for €30m (£26m) and Tottenham are willing to spend up to €25m (£21.6m) on him as it stands.
However, Postecoglou could land a dream alternative to Dragusin by securing a deal to sign another player who has caught the club's eye – Giorgio Scalvini.
Sky Sports have reported that the Atalanta colossus is one of a number of centre-backs on the radar, alongside Jean-Claire Todibo, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Lloyd Kelly.
The outlet also stated that the Australian boss would like to add more young players to his squad and the likes of Dragusin, Scalvini, and Branthwaite certainly fit that criteria.
It has previously been reported in Italy that Atalanta would request a fee in the region of €40m (£35m) in order to part ways with the impressive young defender this month.
This means that he could cost more than Dragusin but that is a justified price to pay as the Serie A star has proven himself to be a better performer.
Therefore, Spurs should ditch their efforts to sign the Genoa enforcer and push ahead with a move for Scalvini, who would be a dream alternative option for Postecoglou to add to his options at the heart of the defence.
Dragusin's season in numbers
The Romania international has been a regular starter for his side in the Serie A so far this season and has performed well at the heart of their defence.
He has started 18 top-flight matches for his side and showcased his dominant defending with a duel success rate of 67%, which includes a 70% success rate in aerial contests.
This shows that opposition forwards are rarely able to get the better of him in physical contests, particularly when the ball is in the air from long passes, crosses, and set-pieces, and this is an improvement on his performance in that regard in the Serie B last term – as shown below.
Appearances
38
Sofascore rating
7.00
Duel success rate
60%
Clean sheets
19
Interceptions per game
1.3
Dragusin has also made 1.8 tackles and interceptions and 3.8 ball recoveries per match to win possession back for his side by cutting out attacks with his defensive skill.
However, he has made three errors that have led to a shot for the opposition and this suggests that he is liable to make a mistake at the back.
Another potential issue with the central defender is his lack of progression on the ball. He currently ranks within the bottom 35% or lower of Serie A centre-backs for progressive passes (1.61) and progressive carries (0.33) per 90 during the 2023/24 campaign.
This shows that the 21-year-old talent rarely look to help his team to move up the pitch to threaten the opposition's box when he has the ball at his feet.
The statistics that show why Spurs should sign Scalvini
Dragusin's statistics suggest that he is liable to make defensive mistakes and does not progress the ball well in possession to help his side build attacks.
Whereas, Scalvini's form for Atalanta so far this season indicates that those problems would not exist with him at the heart of the Tottenham defence.
The Italy international, who was once hailed as a "dominant" defender by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has featured in 16 Serie A matches this term and made 4.2 tackles and interceptions combined and 5.6 ball recoveries per match.
He has managed that with zero errors that have led to shots or goals for the opposition, which suggests that Scalvini has far more to offer defensively than Dragusin – who has made more errors whilst not making as many defensive interventions per game.
The Atalanta star has also won 62% of his duels throughout the league campaign and this shows that he is also a strong centre-back who is rarely beaten by opposition players.
In possession, the £35m-rated titan could also provide more quality than the Genoa star. He currently ranks within the top 19% of Serie A centre-backs for progressive carries (1.00) and the top 40% for progressive passes (3.14) per 90 this season.
Giorgio Scalvini's 2023/24 statistics.
This shows that Scalvini is forward-thinking and progressive on the ball with his ability to drive forward and break lines with his passes to find teammates in advanced positions.
Therefore, the Atalanta giant would be a dream alternative to Dragusin as he has more of an impact defensive and offensively for his side, whilst making fewer errors, in the same league this season.
This is why Postecoglou should swoop for the Italian enforcer and forget all about his pursuit of the Genoa star ahead of the second half of the campaign.
O Santo André vem se preparando para encarar o Santos, nopróximo dia 28, às 19h15, no Estádio do Canindé, pela estreia no Campeonato Paulista. O duelo promete ser especial para o lateral-esquerdo Giovanni Palmieri, irmão do lateral Emerson Palmieri, revelado pelo Peixe.
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Em entrevista ao LANCE!, o jogador comentou sobre a ligação de sua família com o Santos e qual a expectativa para o duelo.
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– É sempre especial. Toda minha família possui um carinho muito grande pelo Santos. Apesar da identificação e gratidão, entrarei buscando dar o meu melhor e espero que possamos sair com os três pontos. Vai ser um grande jogo – afirmou o jogador ex-Cruzeiro.
Questionado sobre os motivos que fizeram ele vir para o clube do ABC Paulista, Giovanni destacou o projeto e a qualificação do elenco.
– O projeto apresentado pelo clube e a possibilidade de fazer um grande Campeonato Paulista. A equipe que vem sendo montado é muito qualificada e o clube possui grandes ambições em 2021. Senti que aqui poderia dar sequência na minha carreira da melhor forma – explicou.
GIovanni também comentou sobre a expectativa para o estadual e como vem sendo a preparação do elenco do Santo André.
– A melhor possível. Nosso grupo é muito forte e o trabalho desenvolvido até aqui tem sido de alto nível. Estamos confiantes em fazer uma boa campanha e conseguir estrear com vitória e tendo boa atuação. Temos trabalhado em alto nível sempre. Tanto em dedicação como em qualidade. O trabalho da comissão técnica é excelente e vem sendo muito bem entendido pelo elenco. Tudo que tem sido desenvolvido até aqui nos deixa confiante em fazer bons jogos – finalizou o jogador de 31 anos.
O Santo André está no Grupo A da competição, junto com Corinthians, Botafogo-SP e Inter de Limeira.