Spurs-linked Nicolas Gonzalez has been likened to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but his finishing was more akin to Yaya Sanogo during Argentina’s 1-1 Copa America draw with Chile last night.
If the Stuttgart striker had brought his shooting boots to the party, Lionel Scaloni’s Albiceleste side would have kicked off the tournament with a morale-boosting win under their belts.
Instead, Lionel Messi’s magnificent free-kick was only enough for a point as Eduardo Vargas – the very definition of a player who’s more effective for his country than his club – snatched a draw in the second half with his 39th international goal.
And while Gonzalez shouldn’t carry the can alone – Liverpool-linked Lautaro Martinez was also wasteful in Rio – the reported Tottenham Hotspur target was left feeling guilt-ridden at full-time.
Is Gonzalez’s performance a warning sign to Spurs?
“I am self-critical. Today, I have failed a lot,” sighed a dejected Gonzalez while speaking to Goal.
The 23-year-old fired a glorious one-on-one chance straight at Chile keeper Claudio Bravo before somehow skewing a close-range header over the bar late on.
“I’m going to be angry but happy for some of the positives we showed today,” Gonzalez added.
Sky Italia reported on Sunday that Tottenham are willing to meet Stuttgart’s demands for the £22 million forward.
Chief executive Thomas Hitzlsperger has indicated player sales are a must, too, as the Bundesliga giants aim to ease their financial problems. Gonzalez appears to be the most likely departure despite Premier League interest in Borna Sosa and Sasa Kalajdzic.
But if Gonzalez has been identified by Spurs as a striker capable of stepping into Harry Kane’s shoes, Tottenham supporters could be forgiven for wondering if he’s destined to become Roberto Soldado 2.0 instead.
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