There’s no football on but with just three months until the summer transfer window opens (we think) there are plenty of rumours to get stuck into.
Jose Mourinho and Tottenham will expect to be busy in the market, the squad requiring an overhaul following a season that has not lived up to anyone’s expectations.
Spurs are currently 8th in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of the top four, and out of all cup competitions.
When the season does eventually return, for the final nine games of the campaign, there is little to play for, barring an attempt to make it into those top four spots.
A number of players are expected to leave this summer, but who are the names that will be coming in to replace them?
In addition, many have been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. One of the names linked earlier this week was something of a surprise – Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren.
According to reports, Tottenham and Arsenal are due to battle it out for the £18million man who has made just nine Premier League appearances for the champions-elect this season.
Tottenham have struggled defensively under Mourinho this season, so where would Lovren fit in?
We take a look here.
Without Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen is expected to leave the club in the summer, with his contract at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium coming to an end.
That leaves a position available, with the Belgian being something of a mainstay in the team during his eight year stay with the club.
Young Juan Foyth has struggled for game time under Mourinho, not just because he hasn’t been picked, but having had his fair share of injury porblems too, but he is another that does not appear to have a future at Spurs.
That would make signing a new centre-back something of a priority for Mourinho and Tottenham in the summer.
So how could Lovren fit into the side if he were to sign for £18million?
If nothing else changes in the back-line, Serge Aurier will play at right-back, with Ben Davies or Ryan Sessegnon in the left-back berth.
Then, at centre-back you’d have Toby Alderweireld and, given his emergence this season, Japhet Tanganga, or Davinson Sanchez.
Where does that leave Lovren? Well, not in the starting lineup at least, because he’s not as good as Alderweireld, Tanganga or Sanchez.
How else could he fit in?
Lovren is an experienced defender and that could be key for Mourinho in trying to get the best out of a back-line that has been leaking goals this season.
But given the fast-paced nature of ther Premier League these days, quick centre-backs are required, something Mourinho pointed to when explaining his decision to hand Tanganga his debut against Liverpool.
Lovren is not exactly blessed with pace.
He could sit in alongside Alderweireld if Tanganga were shifted to right or left-back. But that would rewuire him to get above Sanchez in the pecking order.
So, where does Lovren fit into Spurs’ side if he were to joing from Liverpool? He’d fit in nicely on the bench...or in the starting lineup in an injury crisis.
Conclusion
Spurs should not sign Lovren.
It’s as simple as that. The defence may be leaking goals but the Croatian, who claimed that “people should recognise that I'm one of the best defenders in the world” is not the answer.
Not by a long shot.
