Tottenham Hotspur are one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League at the moment and though their only shot at silverware this season is the FA Cup, Mauricio Pochettino is well on his way to taking his side into the Champions League for another season. But this summer, Spurs might be under some pressure to hold on to their first team players if they fail to land the FA Cup.
This has seen Spurs scout for replacements just in case and one name now doing the rounds is West Brom’s, Jonny Evans.
Spurs Happy To Trigger Evans’ Release Clause:
A transfer target for both Arsenal and Manchester City, Evans has been one of the best players for the Baggies for over a year now but might not be able to keep the club in the top flight next season. It is understood that the English international has a release clause of just £3m, which can be triggered if West Brom get relegated and a number of clubs are expected to surround the Baggies for Evans if they eventually drop to the Championship.
Spurs are set to lose Belgian ace Toby Alderweireld at the end of the season but can Evans be a decent replacement for him?
Evans And His Experience:
A product of the academy at Manchester United, Evans made his senior debut for the Red Devils back in 2006 and spent nine seasons in the first team squad at the club, playing 198 times for United in all competitions. He was sold to West Brom in 2015 and took no time to turn into a crucial part of the squad at Hawthorns.
He was one of the best defenders in the league last season and though he has not been at his best this season, he is only 30 and has at least a couple of years at his best.
He has 232 PL appearances and 27 UCL appearances and has three league titles to his name. Known for his dominating presence in the box, Evans is a calm and composed defender, who hardly loses a duel. He is smart with his positioning and though not the quickest, is rarely caught out of position. He can also dribble from the back and is a decent coup for even the top clubs in the country.
Can He Replace Toby?
But the most important question will be whether he can replace Alderweireld. The Belgian is not too keen on signing a new deal and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is easily one of the best defenders in the league and will be hard to replace.
There are very few names, not just in England but also in Europe, that can take up Alderweireld’s place under Pochettino, who might need more than a season to completely replace him. And Evans can do a decent stop-gap job in that time, giving a chance to the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth to settle in comfortably.
At just £3m, Evans is an absolute steal but do you think he is the right man for Spurs?
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
