Tottenham Hotspur have been in a severe need for a rebuild for a while now. The club saw Mauricio Pochettino get sacked and Jose Mourinho come in and give temporary respite before going down the same route again. This rebuild has to see them sign players and ship off deadwood and the links with Thomas Meunier have come up during the right time. And in some ways, that move will make sense as well as leading bookmaker bong118 expect Spurs to be challenging for next season’s Premier League title.
It is easy to say that Meunier isn’t a world-class player by any means. But he isn’t the worst player in his position either. But he will suit the way Spurs want to play under Jose and adds some depth in the right-back position as well.
The most important factor though, is his value. His contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer of 2020. He will be available for nothing and isn’t the most aged player either at 28. He is a full Belgian international and has multiple caps for the Red Devils under his belt.
Many saw him at the FIFA World Cup of 2018, playing regularly as the right wing-back in Roberto Martinez’s 3-4-3 shape. The campaign saw him score once and pick up two assists and impress in that position.
Last season for PSG saw him contribute to as many as 12 goals in all competitions. He played at either right-back or right wing-back. While he was a regular at that point after Serge Aurier had left for Spurs, this season hasn’t been about him playing regularly. He’s made only 27 appearances in all competitions, while contributing to only three goals.
But a lot of difference lies in how he has been used. This season, he has played at right-back more often and has played at wing-back only once. And there is historic proof of how he’s best at wing-back.
His strength lies in creating and doing the attacking bits. But he has won 1.7 tackles per game this season, having been dribbled past only 0.5 times per game. This shows that he isn’t terrible at all in terms of defending. He makes 5.56 recoveries per 90 minutes and it shows that he isn’t bad in this regard at all.
On the other side, he creates 1.38 chances per 90 minutes. He takes a little over two touches in the final third per 90 minutes. This shows that he likes to get forward and thrives in that regard too.
As for Spurs, they did start with a 4-2-3-1 shape under Mourinho. Defensively, they used that shape but attacking wise, they switched to a 3-2-4-1 with the wing-backs flying forward. The right wing-back was Aurier while the left wing-back would usually be Jan Vertonghen, as Danny Rose was loaned out to Newcastle.
While things did change and Mourinho was forced to making changes due to injuries to Harry Kane, Son and Moussa Sissoko, there is every chance he goes back to a similar system when he signs some players. The likes of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez began playing as the three centre-backs, while Vertonghen alternated his positions. This sort of system would suit Meunier.
Attacking wise, he can use his abilities to create and often score. Defensively, he can transition to being a right-back rather easily as Aurier constantly gets criticised for a lack of defensive nous.
Meunier boasts of immense Champions League and international experience. If he arrives on a free transfer, Spurs will fix their full-back issues as he can play on the left too. He adds depth and vital experience and that is just what Mourinho loves.
