We’re all still waiting for news that Thomas Frank will be named the next head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, but until that happens there are still transfer rumors to be discussed! Today’s new example comes from the Liverpool Echo, which states that Tottenham have interest in Toffees central defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The report, which is in their daily transfer tracker, doesn’t say that much beyond registering Spurs’ interest (along with that of Chelsea who already have 25 central defenders on their books). So the report itself is a little vague, but the Echo is generally a legit source when it comes to Liverpudian transfer rumors so I’m inclined to believe it.
Branthwaite’s an interesting case for Tottenham. Still only 22, he’s a left sided, left footed central defender (hey, we need one of those!) and was named Everton’s Young Player of the Year this past season. I think advanced soccer statistics usually provide a pretty good measure of a player but Branthwaite feels like one of those guys who’s eye test is superior to his green bars. In short, when you watch him he looks like a better player than his stats indicate.
But he sure looks like he has the tools to become an incredible player at the Premier League level. He’s not as fast as Micky van de Ven (who is, honestly?), but he’s good in the air, doesn’t really foul that much, and seems solid enough in defense. He’s a full England international and is also young enough that he could still dramatically improve. Also, Tottenham would have plenty of minutes for him this coming season. He’s a player that I feel like I’ve been aware of for a long time, so his age shocked me as I would’ve sworn up and down to you that he was like 27 instead of 22.
Transfer rumors are a little bit squishy when you don’t really know who your next manager is going to be or how they’ll play. I don’t know if Branthwaite would’ve been as effective in Postecoglou’s high line but he could be perfectly good under Frank. He’s also young with a very high ceiling. “Interest” doesn’t mean “a bid is forthcoming” but also divorcing player acquisition a bit from a hypothetical manager isn’t always a bad thing either. This doesn’t feel like anything imminent, but I wouldn’t at all be sad if Spurs go after Branthwaite as a priority target this summer.