This week, three Premier League clubs have reportedly joined the race to sign Japhet Tanganga from Tottenham Hotspur; Leeds United, via TMW, Aston Villa, via Corriere dello Sport, and, according to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest.
Such a big decision, so little time with the window closing just one week from now.
But do not underestimate the importance of familiarity. Leeds United, since appointing Jesse Marsch as Marcelo Bielsa’s successor, have played almost exclusively with a back-four. Ditto Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
Tanganga, however, has spent the last 12 months either playing or training as part of a three-man backline; either in the centre, or out wide in an attack-minded wing-back role. Before Antonio Conte took over – the Italian wedded to his uber-succesful 3-4-2-1 formation – Spurs’ head coach was another manager with a preference for wing-backs; Nuno Espirito Santo.
Which club will Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga choose?
“(Conte) sees me as one of the centre-backs, either right or left,” Tanganga told Football London just last month, his versatility coming in handy during the former Inter boss’ debut season in the Spurs dugout.
“That’s the position he gives me the most information in and tells me what to do. Of course, you saw against Norwich (a 3-0 win in December) that I can play in the right wing-back role.
“I think he sees me in those roles though; either side of the middle defender in the back three.”
The £17 million-rated Tanganga, if he was to join Nottingham Forest before next week’s transfer deadline, would likely fill a similar role in Steve Cooper’s own back-three system. Per The Athletic, Nottingham Forest are prioritising a defender who can play as a right-wing back or a right-sided centre-half.
No wonder Tanganga has registered on their radar.
Of course, the England U21 international shot to fame initially under Jose Mourinho as a rampaging right-back in a four-man defence. He played arguably the best game of his career in that very same role against Manchester City 12 months ago. Debates continue to rage about his best position, or the formation he is best suited to.
But a move to Nottingham Forest, under Cooper, would allow Tanganga to build upon the lessons he’s learned under Conte.
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