Spurs might’ve found their final two transfer targets with just a week left in the transfer window. What a start to life at Tottenham for Ange Postecoglou. The Australian has managed to get four points from his first two games in the Premier League and that’s more than many would’ve thought before the start of the season.
Due to the exit of Harry Kane, supporters and media alike were worried for Spurs given their difficult opening pair of fixtures against Brentford and Manchester United.
But their marquee summer signing James Maddison has proved to be a serious difference maker to the side’s attacking force in an attempt to make up for the lost goals amid Kane’s move away. Now South American football expert Tim Vickery suggests that Spurs could add to Postecoglou’s ranks going forward amid links to Porto winger ‘Pepe’ – or to give him his full name Eduardo Gabriel Aquino Cossa.
“This is an interesting one. This is a Brazilian, Pepe, not the hulking centre-back at Porto. But a winger, well, I certainly remember him as a winger with Gremio, little mosquito kind of winger, who can do either flank.
“He has been in Portugal now with Porto for two years and they have got more out of him. They have used him all over the pitch. They have used him at fullback, wing-back, which is his more natural position higher up the field, so there is a lot more versatility there.
“Tottenham would be adding someone who could be a right-footed deputy for Kulusevski down that flank or he could be an attacking fullback for games against weaker opponents. They paid around 15 million Euros (£12.8m) for him and I think they will want around €50 million (£42m) to move him on.”
football.london says: The real key for Postecoglou is making up the lost goals they’ll no longer get from Harry Kane. Given the fact he scored 40 per cent of their total goals last season, that’s an enormous number to find. But, it appears as though they’re managing.
Whether they can keep up though is yet to be seen. Their four goals this season have come from two defenders, a holding midfielder and an own goal. None of the attacking players – captain Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison – have featured in any meaningful way so far.
Perhaps Pepe could chip in more regularly. Having already made 100 appearances for Porto over just two seasons in a variety of positions, including both wings, right-back and up front, he could give Postecoglou some much-needed squad depth to help with balancing the minutes around.
Consistency will be so key for Spurs this season and a player of Pepe’s nature could be invaluable. Last season was his most productive yet, netting five times and hitting double digits in assists for the first time outside of Brazil.
Another player Spurs have been linked with is Perr Schuurs, the Torino centre-back that many have touted for a move to England following an impressive debut season in the Serie A last year. Having joined Il Toro for just £7.7million from Ajax, Schuurs has been the subject of interest from many different suitors including Spurs, who have already strengthened their defensive unit over the summer.
Mickey van de Ven joined from Wolfsburg but Spurs could look to offload other centre-backs including the likes of Davison Sanchez, who has played just 77 minutes over the first two matches this season.
However, they will now expect to face serious competition from north London rivals Arsenal who are said to be considering a move for the 23-year-old following the injury of Jurrien Timber and significant interest in centre-back Gabriel from Saudi Arabian clubs.
