Thomas Frank is meticulously assessing every position of Tottenham’s squad.
The Danish manager has his work cut out to ascertain which areas of the pitch Tottenham need to strengthen most in the summer transfer window.
Spurs seem to have focused their efforts on signing forward players as an early priority, though their strategy will equally be dictated by potential outgoings.
Arguably, the most crucial decision lies with the goalkeeping position, with Frank set to make a final decision on Guglielmo Vicario following the latest transfer news.
Vicario to stay despite AC Milan links
Vicario’s agent was spotted speaking to AC Milan representatives, with the Italian club placing the shotstopper high on their wishlist to replace the outgoing Mike Maignan, according to TBR Football (16 June).
MORE SPURS STORIES
The 28-year-old has been guilty of a few shaky performances, including being bailed out by Micky Van de Ven in the UEFA Europa League final, and still occasionally struggles when targeted with set pieces.
However, Tottenham looked a much more solid unit with the former Empoli man’s presence in the side, and Vicario is looked up to as the embodiment of the team’s fighting spirit.
The Italy international famously played on against Manchester City in November last season despite fracturing his ankle during the game.
Athletic journalist Jay Harris, speaking on the View from the Lane podcast (17 June), believes that Vicario’s influence in the dressing room will convince Frank to retain him at Tottenham next season, despite the links with a move away this summer.
Harris stated, “I don’t think he will go anywhere this summer, and I suspect he will probably be part of Frank’s leadership group because you can see the way Vicario conducted himself on and off the pitch over the last year – he is definitely someone his teammates look up to.”
Goalkeepers are not a priority for Spurs
Tottenham were blessed with having Hugo Lloris between the sticks for over a decade, leaving Spurs with the difficult task of replacing the World Cup winner.
Vicario was selected as his long-term replacement, and while he has not yet proved himself at the same level consistently, he has shown flashes of similar acrobatic shot-stopping and leadership qualities.
With the talented Antonín Kinsky as a very capable understudy, Spurs’ priorities should lie elsewhere this transfer window and give their current goalkeepers at least another season before assessing the situation again next summer.