Time and time again we’ve seen Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head in the transfer market, but the Nico Paz battle is one that Spurs should let their rivals win.
Over the years, the London clubs have pursued the likes of Willian — who famously changed his mind after completing a Tottenham medical — and more recently Xavi Simons, who appeared destined for Chelsea before choosing Spurs.
The lure of both clubs is clear: based in the capital, part of the Big Six, with big money and grand ambitions aplenty. Now, they’re fighting over a target once more.
Nico Paz is wanted by Spurs and Chelsea, but there can only be one winner. In Tottenham’s case, though, losing that particular race would not be a bad thing.
Chelsea can chase Nico Paz while Spurs eye other targets
With four goals and four assists for Paz at Como this season, there’s no denying the Spanish-born Argentina international is a top quality young talent.
The 21-year-old joined the Italian side last summer from Real Madrid, but it’s now thought the Spanish giants want him back and it sounds like the player himself is keen to prove himself in La Liga.
Ultimately, Chelsea will be wasting their time pursuing the attacking midfielder; something Tottenham learned when they enquired about Paz previously.
Still, if Chelsea do go after Paz, it’ll open the door for Spurs to get a deal done for a player they desperately want: Morgan Rogers.
It is believed Rogers won’t leave Aston Villa in January, but a summer move looks far more likely. So, in this transfer tug-of-war, Spurs could and should be laying their cards down early for Rogers and lining up a summer switch while their West London rivals get themselves tied up with a futile transfer battle against Real Madrid.
Obviously, Chelsea will come looking for alternatives once they give up on Paz, but Spurs may have already bagged Rogers and moved on by that point.
Why Morgan Rogers is a great fit for Spurs
Whether Spurs or Chelsea can win the race for Nico Paz is irrelevant, really. One thing should stick out to Tottenham, and that’s the fact that signing a very young, relatively unproven player from abroad isn’t quite right for the Thomas Frank project.
While Lucas Bergvall, for example, really worked for Spurs, there’s no guarantee that Paz would. Indeed, looking at his physical profile and the vast difference in the game in Italy (or Spain) and England, there’s a high likelihood it would take time for Paz to adjust to the Premier League.
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We’ve seen it this season with Xavi Simons, who has struggled to get a feel for the English game thus far. And that’s why, if Spurs are looking for a new midfielder to bolster their ranks, it should be someone who knows what it takes to thrive in this division.
Rogers has a lot of experience here, and has flourished in recent years to become one of the most exciting and adept playmakers in the league. Signing him would present zero risk for Tottenham, as he’s a player that can glide straight into the team and make an impact.
Paz may well become a world class player. But, he also might not, and that’s not something Tottenham should be gambling with.