Tottenham Hotspur are being increasingly linked with young English players whose contracts expire in 2018.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Andre Gray – just some of the names to be linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur in early 2017.
Not only are they all British, each one is 25 years old or younger and under contract at his current club for one more season after this one – a key attraction for clubs like Spurs, perhaps, who wish to avoid paying the infamous home-grown player premium.
But who else fits the criteria – and could any be targets for Mauricio Pochettino’s team?
Defenders:
Moses Odubajo
The Hull City right-back has had his debut Premier League campaign cruelly cut short by injury, but excelled in the Championship with both the Tigers and Brentford. For Tottenham to have any interest in the 23-year-old, he would first need to get fit, while either Kyle Walker or (more likely) Kieran Trippier would have to be sold.
Michael Keane
Burnley defender Michael Keane
The centre-back is already turning heads after an impressive campaign with Burnley, although Spurs are yet to be linked, perhaps due to their strength in depth at the back. That said, with Kevin Wimmer linked away and Pochettino’s Eric-Dier-at-the-back experiment hit and miss so far, a move for Keane could appeal.
Harry Maguire
As mentioned above, Maguire’s name has already been associated with that of the Londoners. Another Hull player, the centre-back is rumoured to be a cheaper option than Keane.
Luke Shaw
Linked with a move to White Hart Lane as recently as last night, Shaw, you would think, would only be considered if Tottenham’s first-choice left-back Danny Rose is prised away, which seems unlikely. Either way, his future at Manchester United looks bleak.
Andrew Robertson
To Hull again, and another left-back. Again, either Rose or Ben Davies would have to depart before Spurs would consider a move for Robertson, who may not be as averse to playing second-fiddle to the former as Shaw.
Midfielders:
Nathaniel Chalobah
Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah
The Chelsea youngster is unlikely to feature in Pochettino’s plans, owing to the Argentine’s abundance of central midfielders. He’d be a good addition for someone, mind.
Ross Barkley
The Everton man has been strongly linked with a move to Spurs since the turn of the year, amid rumours of a breakdown in his relationship with manager Ronald Koeman. That said, Barkley has found form in the meantime, and could struggle to get in at Tottenham.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Wash my mouth out, you say? An understandable response. However, take away his Arsenal association and it’s hard to believe Spurs would not be keen on a player like Oxlade-Chamberlain, who can operate anywhere across the midfield. The England international is said to have rejected the Lilywhites to sign for their fierce rivals in 2011, but may wonder if he made the right call.
Strikers:
Andre Gray
Burnley striker Andre Gray
The Burnley striker could be on Pochettino’s radar according to reports this week and would certainly strengthen what, Harry Kane aside, has been a problem area this season.
*Contract information courtesy of Transfermarkt
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