Reports on Monday suggest Tottenham Hotspur are looking at Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell.
Tottenham Hotspur are said to be monitoring Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell for a potential transfer, according to the Telegraph, and it would certainly be one that fits their way of doing things over the last few years.
Spurs have been built around young signings and promotions from within, as seen with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Davinson Sanchez et al.
More than that, the report itself mentions an interest in Ajax’s Frenkie de Jong, a talented young player at just 21, much like Chilwell, who could represent a future for Spurs.
But Chilwell differs from De Jong in two key areas: his national team and his club. Being both English and playing in the Premier League can guarantee a very large price tag on Chilwell; one that would make him a huge signing for Tottenham if he did ultimately arrive.
The last young English left-back who had potential like Chilwell was Luke Shaw, and his move from Southampton to Manchester United demanded a record fee for a teenager at the time; and that is a market that Spurs rarely get involved in.
There is no doubting Chilwell’s ability or how good a signing he would be for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but should that kind of investment be a priority right now?
Mousa Dembele is out of contract soon and it is no secret that Toby Alderweireld wants a move as he approaches the end of his deal, so both positions will require significant investment to keep Tottenham from moving backwards.
Those are core areas of the side that cannot be filled with half measures and surely demand priority when it comes to any large investment. Even if Chilwell is a top talent, Tottenham are not a side with the funds to invest big in three positions at once.
As good as he is, the opportunity to sign Chilwell might just be coming at the wrong time for Tottenham.
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