Tottenham Hotspur have sold right-back Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid for around £20 million, and are now looking at signing a replacement for him, ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly shortlisted Italian right-back Alessandro Florenzi to replace the Englishman in the team.
A report by Calciomercato claims that Spurs are interested in signing Florenzi, who currently plays for Roma, having come through the ranks of the Italian club.
The report states that Florenzi hasn’t been good over the last few seasons and could want to move away from Roma to improve his form.
Florenzi is the current captain of Roma, and made 38 appearances for the club in the 2018-19 season, scoring thrice and assisting thrice. The Italian isn’t the only right-back that Spurs are interested in, with the same report claiming that Elseid Hysaj of Napoli and Ismaily of Shakhtar are the other two right-backs on Spurs’ radar.
Florenzi has made over 250 appearances for Roma since making his debut in 2011, and became a crucial player for the Italian side. He has also made 32 appearances for the Italian national side.
Would Florenzi be a good replacement for Trippier?
Florenzi is an experienced and versatile player who has several years of playing in Serie A, while he has also played in several positions. He began his career as a midfielder before moving out on the wings, to play as a right midfielder, and then moved to the right-back position.
The 28-year old has the ability to thrive in Pochettino’s high-energy game as he has the tenacity and aggression in attack and defence, while also being a player who works hard, moving from one end of the pitch to the other.
A good crosser of the ball as well as a good passer, the 28-year-old is technically gifted, and chips in with goals and assists each season. The Italian is an attack-minded full-back, much like Trippier, while he also has great energy in contributing to every phase of the game.
Serge Aurier is the other option at right-back for Spurs, and Florenzi could add good competition to the Ivorian right-back. A player with the experience of Florenzi would be a shrewd addition to the Spurs team.
