Tottenham Hotspur had another solid Premier League campaign under manager Mauricio Pochettino, where they looked like title contenders, but drifted away from the top two in the latter half of the season. Pochettino needs to strengthen in the summer as Spurs have lacked quality options to bring on to change games.
A player that the London club have been linked with is Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso, who only recently made his move to the Spanish club a permanent one. 23-year-old Lo Celso is an Argentine international who has represented his country 10 times since making his debut in 2017.
Will signing Lo Celso be a good move by Pochettino?
Spurs need reinforcements in the midfield area, especially players who venture further up the field and create opportunities for Tottenham’s attackers. Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are defensive-minded, while Moussa Sissoko has blown hot and cold this season. Christian Eriksen is rumoured to have had a verbal agreement with Real Madrid, which leaves Spurs with just one attacking midfielder in Dele Alli.
Lo Celso would be a good option for Pochettino and Spurs to pursue as he possesses the attributes that the Argentine requires in his players. The 23-year-old is neat and tidy with the ball, but his real skills lay in his ability to control the ball in tight situations while also dribbling past defenders with ease. The Argentinian, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain, can build up play well and also has great movement, getting into good positions to pick up the ball and play it forward.
Lo Celso can play in multiple positions – in the heart of midfield, behind the striker, or even as the furthest forward, which he has done on a few occasions this season for Betis. He has the knack of scoring goals from midfield and has scored 16 goals in 42 appearances for Betis this season, as well as registering 5 assists (all stats courtesy Transfermarkt).
The midfielder even has the ability to break up play and be a nuisance to the opposition. Betis bought him for £21.5 million and they may want twice that fee when the summer transfer window opens.
Spurs have been linked with other midfielders, including Ajax’s 23-year-old midfielder Donny van de Beek.