Japhet Tanganga moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Augsburg in the summer on a loan deal, but has yet to make any appearance for the German club. Following the injury concerns at N17, there are now suggestions that the 24-year-old defender could be recalled by Spurs in January.
This does raise the question of whether the North London club would be making the right decision to recall the former England youth international.
Spurs’ Injury Problems
After a blistering start to the season, which saw them win 8 of their 10 opening games, Ange Postecoglou’s team has encountered a setback. In the last four Premier League fixtures, they suffered three defeats and managed to secure only a single point. Their dip in form has not been helped by injuries and suspension, with Micky van de Ven, and James Maddison who played a massive role in their early season form sidelined until the new year. Additionally, Cristian Romero, a crucial part of their early-season success, served a three-game suspension following a red card against Chelsea.
The absence of van de Ven and Romero leaves Spurs with a shortage of center-backs, prompting the need for an additional player in that position.
Why Tanganga & What Does He Bring At Centre Back
With the English defender struggling for game time at Augsburg, he has become an option to fill the void in Tottenham’s centre-back department, so what does he offer?
Tanganga likes to play on the front foot as he attempts a lot of defensive actions. Per whocored.com, he averaged 0.8 tackles, 0.5 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game in the Premier League last season. In the preceding season, he made 1.3 tackles, 0. 8 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per game. (stats by whoscored)
By recalling him, Spurs are bringing in a proactive player whose aggressiveness could be useful in Postecoglou’s high-pressing system.
Tanganga’s Inconsistencies
While we have highlighted his strengths, it is also worth noting that he is not consistent enough yet to play at the top level and that is why he has failed to command a starting berth since he broke into the first team.
More so, his reading of the game and clumsiness are enough worries for Tottenham to abandon any thought of reinstating him to the team. With their high line, the North London side need a centre-back who is excellent at one-on-one situations, which Tanganga isn’t capable of at the moment.
To prove his clumsiness and bad judgment, he committed 0.8 fouls per game last season, and it was 1.7 a season before that.
Current Options at Centre Back
Romero and Eric Dier are the only fit natural senior centre backs at the club at the moment which is an indication that they will need to bring in one more centre back.
Conclusions
If Tottenham want to finish in the top four or fight for the title, they would have to look beyond Tanganga. The club will need to dip their hands in the pocket to buy a centre back in January to solve the lack of depth in the centre back department.
