Tottenham Hotspur should consider Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina.
Tottenham Hotspur are again poised to qualify for the Champions League under Mauricio Pochettino, with Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stoke City virtually securing their top four place.
With the move to their new stadium coming up this summer, Spurs have a lot to look forward to, and fans will be hoping to see some major new signings arrive as a result.
One of Pochettino’s priorities may be to find another central midfielder, preferably with similar attributes to Mousa Dembele, especially given concerns over the Belgian’s contract situation.
Dembele’s deal expires in 2019, meaning Spurs must now decide whether to hand him a deal well into his 30’s, with cover needed regardless this summer as Spurs attempt to find another midfielder with similar drive and athleticism in midfield.
One player who could fit the bill is Mario Lemina, with the Southampton ace potentially staring relegation in the face given that the Saints remain in the Premier League’s bottom three.
The Gabon star, 24, joined Southampton from Juventus last summer and has been one of the few shining lights in the Saints’ poor season, turning in some impressive displays in the heart of midfield.
Lemina has the raw athleticism of Dembele, and whilst he can certainly dribble forward and impact the game in the final third, he does sometimes take the more conservative option, and would need to be a little more adventurous in order to replace Dembele.
L’Equipe report that Liverpool want Lemina, but as Spurs eye up players to potentially cover for Dembele, the Southampton ace could be ideal given his displays this season, his experience of playing in the Premier League and the fact that Southampton may be forced to cash in if relegated, and Pochettino should certainly have him on his wish list.
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