If Japhet Tanganga was feeling optimistic, the Hackney-born academy graduate might have taken the positives out of Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to block a potential summer move to a Premier League rival.
Spurs, Football London say, refused to let Tanganga leave the capital amid interest from the likes of Aston Villa, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
The implication being that Antonio Conte still had plans for the defender. A defender who’s versatility had come in handy during the Italian’s first few months back in the capital. Six weeks after the window closed, however, Spurs’ decision to keep Tanganga around now feels like a club looking to avoid being left short should an injury-crisis derail what is shaping up to be a gruelling campaign of domestic and European football.
A decision borne out of fear, rather than faith. Tottenham need bodies. And Tanganga feels like just that at the moment. A body to fill a gap in Conte’s squad, rather than a key part of the first-team furniture.
Because, having played a grand total of zero Premier League minutes – his one and only appearance coming late on in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Marseille – it’s difficult to dispel the notion that Tanganga is anything more than a squad player to be rotated in whenever Conte feels the need to rest one of his more trusted lieutenants.
Does Japhet Tanganga need to leave Tottenham Hotspur now?
Tanganga wasn’t even in the squad for the recent North London derby defeat to Arsenal. The England U21 international appears to be Spurs’ sixth choice central defender these days; behind Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davinson Sanchez.
It’s not as if opportunities are going to present themselves at wing-back either. He’s now fourth in that particular pecking order too.
Tanganga’s Man of the Match performance during the 1-0 opening day victory over Manchester City in August 2021 – the best-possible start to the Nuno Espirito Santo – was only 14 months ago. But, somehow, it feels like ancient history now.
“He handled Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish brilliantly,” Gary Neville told Sky Sports after Tanganga’s faultless display against Pep Guardiola’s league champions.
“I couldn’t have done that on my own 20 years ago – and I was a good full-back! But what that kid did out there today was really special.”
At 23, going on 24, Tanganga is rapidly approaching a crossroads in his career. If Tottenham stand in his way again, should Newcastle or Leeds renew their interest, he shouldn’t take it lying down.
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