Why Tottenham do NOT need Luis Diaz
James Shearman
- 26 Jan 2022 15:43 GMT
- 3 min read
Tottenham are in talks to sign Porto's Luis Diaz for a fee in the region of £50million (€60m).
Spurs are yet to meet the Portuguese club's asking price, but the Independent reports that Antonio Conte’s side believe there is a deal to be done this month.
The Italian has grown frustrated at the lack of transfer activity in the January window, with chairman Daniel Levy looking to back his latest appointment with significant reinforcements.
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Diaz has been subject to interest from a host of Premier League clubs, on the back on a fine Copa America last summer and an excellent first half to the 2021/22 campaign.
The winger finished joint top goalscorer with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi at the summer tournament, and has 18 goal contributions in as many appearances in the Primeira Liga this season.
One would expect that he can take the momentum with him to his next club, in one of Europe's top leagues, but a move to North London might not be the right choice.
Why Tottenham do NOT need Luis Diaz
While Tottenham are in desperate need of a player like Luis Diaz at this moment, as Heung-Min Son is out with an injury, he would not be in a position to succeed long term.
Diaz is a right-footed left winger, who cuts in onto his stronger foot in the final third - exactly the same as the South Korean.
Hence, the Colombian would likely be pushed onto the right side of a front three where he would offer much less of a goalscoring threat.
Or, even worse, if Conte opts to stick with a 3-5-2 formation, Diaz would spend an awfully long time on the sidelines as arguably the Premier League's best tandem (Harry Kane and Son) take centre stage.
Diaz could then be shifted to a wing-back role which doesn't suit his skillset.
🥇| Antonio #Conte has recommended Sofyan Amrabat as a target. #Tottenham’s pursuit of Luis Diaz is being driven by managing director of football Fabio Paratici. @Matt_Law_DT pic.twitter.com/USgsNfmCrH
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) January 26, 2022
Instead, the Spurs hierarchy need to provide their world-class manager with defensive acquisitions.
Conte's teams play more expansive football than he is, perhaps, given credit for, but there is no doubt that his successes stem from a solid defence.
The 52-year-old built a dynasty at Juventus with a back three of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Georgio Chiellini.
Whereas, in Spurs' recent defeat to Chelsea, the likes of Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga lined up for the Lilywhites.
As such, a number of improvements need to be made in that area of the pitch, long before another forward is brought through the door at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
