Tottenham Hotspur F***, Marry, Kill continues, as we determine who should stay, who should go, and who needs work - because God knows the Spurs front office need some help.
Next up as we work our way up the pitch is probably our shortest article thus far: the fullbacks. For each, we’ll give you our thoughts as to why they should stay (Keep), head out on loan (Loan), or go (Sell - either via an actual sale, or conclusion of their contract); though there may also be a bacon sandwich that pops up here and there also.
Editor’s note: this series and a couple of the pieces in it were nearly completed at time of writing, so we will still cover players whose future has already been confirmed (i.e. released players)
Pedro Porro - Keep
A key part of Spurs’ successful Europa League campaign, Pedro Porro could be a candidate for a “sell high and reinvest” plan; however, Spurs have a significant dearth of technical ability and (especially) passing quality in their squad. Porro offers these in spades, so at this point, selling him would be very much cutting off your nose to spite your face. He offers so much going forward, and has continued to improve defensively (which has surprised me)... plus he seems to love it here.
Destiny Udogie - Keep
I will say, there have been a number of times this season I have been worried about Destiny. After a number of injury spells over the last couple of seasons, he looked extremely rough on his returns to the side - following both his return from surgery in the offseason and his midseason layoff. That said, he really rounded into form when it counted, and if he can stay fit, I think he will be around the club for a while yet.
Sergio Reguilon - Sell (Release) - confirmed
Sergio Reguilon should really have played more this season... but he was never going to work out under Ange Postecoglou. A cursory reading of the situation may have thought attacking system plus attacking player = profit; but so much of Spurs’ buildup is through the fullbacks, and Reggie is (let’s be honest) a pretty terrible passer of the football. Any chances he had for semi-regular appearances were probably torpedoed by his appearance against Wolves, where in 40 minutes he misplaced a third of his passes, and he’s always had problems with fitness. One that just didn’t work out (and I had high hopes).
Djed Spence - Keep
If there wasn’t so much work to do on other areas of the squad (and a lack of depth at fullback) I would consider selling Djed Spence. He carries an English premium, is just hitting his peak years, and some bright showings late in the season may have increased his value. Hell, the club may still consider it with the right offer. Right now, though, the team has other priorities, and Djed’s versatility (weirdly, he seems to be better on the left) is a plus. Hopefully he can get back to some of the form he showed a couple months ago, and perhaps Spurs can then look for a decent sale.
Archie Gray - Keep
I have listed Archie among the fullbacks, because 1) he is absolutely not a center back; 2) I think the way the construction of the squad is going, he could see the majority of his minutes at fullback next season (which is also largely where he played at Leeds); and 3) I already have something like 10 players to cover in my midfield piece. What are you gonna do?
A polarizing player, he stepped into breach admirably for Spurs in the midst of an injury crisis; and while he did more than anybody could have reasonably expected, he did struggle at the top level. Though he has time, I don’t think he is quite at the level Spurs require... YET; especially considering his desire to play in midfield. Even though that is arguably the weakest area of Spurs’ squad, throwing him in there at this point in his development alongside some of the other options Spurs have there at present is only going to dent his confidence - though I did see some impressive signs in a couple of late cameos there towards the end of the season.
The reality is Spurs need four fullbacks, and though my thinking would be to buy a left-sided defender who can both back up Micky van de Ven AND cover fullback, it seems the club aren’t in alignment with that line of thought, with any transfer links so far seemingly with right-sided options. A rotational slot at fullback, with some coverage minutes at midfield seems to therefore be the best option for Archie, and will allow him to continue to develop his passing, defensive reading, and wand of a right foot in a lower pressure position. IF the club do decide to invest additionally at fullback, Archie could even head out on loan to a lower-level Premier League club (or potentially even the Championship), but I think that is unlikely.
And that’s Spurs’ fullbacks in a nutshell. It’s an area lacking depth, and though I have some concerns around Spurs’ options at the position (and especially the lack of academy options coming through at the position) the reality is that other areas are in much higher need of attention: not least, the midfield. Come back Monday, where I’ll assess the options (or lack thereof) in the middle of the park.