Jose Mourinho wants to improve his squad by signing a box-to-box midfielder and a left-sided quick central defender, as Tottenham attempt to win the Premier League. Sven Botman, 20, has caught the eye with his performances for Lille this season, linking him to a number of clubs including Liverpool, who are in midst of defensive crisis.
Sven Botman profile
A youth product of the famed Ajax academy, Botman couldn’t really break into the Dutch club’s senior team, however. Instead, he broke into senior football on-loan with FC Heerenveen last season. Following a decent campaign in the Eredivisie, French club Lille signed him in the summer for a reported fee of €9m.
The Dutchman has put in some strong displays at the heart of Lille’s defence, starting all of 19 Ligue 1 games. Botman has seemingly filled the void left by Gabriel Magalhaes’ departure to Arsenal in the summer, helping Lille to third in the table and just a point below table-toppers Lyon.
Botman’s consistent performances for Christophe Galtier’s side saw him being called up to the senior Netherlands squad in November 2020.
Tottenham’s need for defensive reinforcements
Tottenham have enjoyed a solid season in Jose Mourinho’s first full campaign in charge of the club. They are competing on four fronts and have already booked their place in the Carabao Cup final. The key signings of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sergio Reguilon have made a big difference at Spurs, adding quality and depth to Mourinho’s squad.
As far as Spurs’ defence is concerned, Eric Dier has been a rejuvenated figure under the Portuguese manager and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Dier and Toby Alderweireld have formed a solid partnership at the back, helping Tottenham to second-best defence in the Premier League.
Davinson Sanchez has slipped drastically down the pecking order, while summer signing Joe Rodon has started only league game so far. With Alderweireld set to turn 32 in March, Rodon yet to establish himself in the Premier League and Sanchez’s dip in form, Mourinho’s idea to sign a new centre-back this month certainly makes sense.
Sven Botman could be a top signing for Spurs
Botman is a young, exciting talent who has quickly adapted to Ligue 1 football following his switch from Ajax in July 2020. In fact, he has become an ever-present in a Lille team that are vying to win the Ligue 1 title since 2011.
The Dutchman has shown that he has all the attributes to evolve into a top-quality centre-back. Standing at 6ft 4in, he would add a lot of physicality and strength to Tottenham’s backline and become Dier’s ideal long-term partner, with Alderweireld ageing.
If Spurs manage to get him in January, the former Ajax youngster would certainly offer more depth and quality as Mourinho’s men prepare for a hectic second half of the campaign. At the tender age of 20, Botman looks so matured and would a smart long-term option for Tottenham.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
