Could he be he perfect replacement for Mousa Dembélé?
Tottenham’s Mousa Dembélé has earned many plaudits over the past few years, having reached a new level under Mauricio Pochettino, but physically his powers are fading, and Spurs are looking for a long-term replacement.
Both Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are more than capable of playing the holding role in Spurs’ midfield. But Dembele’s duties include picking the ball up from deep, driving forward through the lines, and getting the ball to the creative players. Very few players can carry out this role, they have to be very complete players.
Spurs have in the past been linked with Geoffrey Kondogbia and Matteo Kovacic, who would both fit the bill, but on Sunday Corriere dello Sport linked the north London club with Napoli’s Amadou Diawara.
The 20-year-old Guinea international has impressed in Serie A but is struggling for minutes this season, with Jorginho, Allan and Marek Hamšik ahead of him in the pecking order. Maurizio Sarri rarely rotates his team and therefore Diawara could leave in the summer.
Tottenham could be a good home for him. He would be afforded the time to settle in and Pochettino’s record with improving young players speaks for itself.
