Tottenham Hotspur will lose one of their stalwarts at the end of the 2019-20 season, as Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen is set to leave the club after an 8-year stint. The 33-year-old has been an integral part of the Spurs set-up over the last decade, and the Premier League side should ideally sign a replacement in the transfer window.
One player that the north London side have been previously linked with is Bournemouth centre back Nathan Ake, who has impressed since his move from Chelsea in 2017.
Let’s take a look at 3 reasons why Spurs should target Nathan Ake
Technical ability with the ball
One trait that made Jan Vertonghen a top-class Premier League defender was his ability to bring the ball out from the back with his solid dribbling skills, as well as passing. Ake is a player with similar attributes, who uses his impressive technique to move the ball out quickly and build attacks from the back.
Ake is a quick player, who can effectively turn defence into attack with his dribbling, while he is a good passer from the back too. He averaged 43 passes per game in the 2019-20 Premier League season, with a high pass completion rate of 88%.
Versatility
Another trait that Ake has that is similar to Vertonghen is his versatility. The experienced Belgian defender has primarily played as a centre back but has filled in at left-back as well. Nathan Ake, like Vertonghen, is a left-footed player, who plays at centre back, but is capable of playing at left-back as well without losing his effectiveness.
The Dutch international, thanks to his solid passing and composure on the ball, has also played as a defensive midfielder. Spurs manager Jose Mourinho has been seen experimenting with his formation at times this season and someone like Ake will give his quality alternatives in a number of different positions according to the opposition and situation of the game.
Quickness and reading of the game
Chelsea will feel they could have handled the Ake situation better given their current defensive predicament but much has changed since. While Nathan Ake has not lit up the league in recent seasons, he has been solid and reliable and his game reading and intelligence have helped him develop further. Bournemouth’s overall malaise has masked some of his good work and there is a strong belief that the player will fit in nicely in a better team such as Spurs.
He has the confidence and the ability to quickly adapt which are qualities in a defender not easily stumbled upon and Jose should consider a move for the Dutch star when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.
