Tottenham Hotspur they have been plagued by injuries throughout the squad this season, which has really hindered their progress in the Premier League. Amazing, they sit 14th in the premier leagueand although they have progressed well in the Carabao Cup, this season has simply not lived up to expectations.
Towards the start of the season, Ange Postecoglou claimed to have a file in every club he has managed and who sees him “always win things in my second year”. Well, that theory will really be put to the test this season, with the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League still up for grabs.
The Lilywhites may need reinforcements to help in their trophy-winning quest and have been linked with one striker who could add plenty of firepower.
Spurs are targeting a new striker
The player in question is a Barcelona and Spain winger Ansu Fati. The La Masia graduate has also had terrible luck with injuries and a fresh start away from the Nou Camp could be on the cards this winter.
According to a report by The GuardianSpurs are one of the parties interested in signing the winger, given the fact that they “need reinforcements in attack” in the January transfer window, and Postecoglou is lining up an attack for the Barcelona outcast.
However, they are not alone in the race to sign Fati, who earns £226,000 a week according to Kapology. The Guardian also suggests that London rivals West Ham United are interested in adding him to the squad under new boss Graham Potter. It is currently unclear whether it is a loan or a permanent move.
Why Fati would be a good signing
This has once again been a really disappointing season for Fati. Once one of the biggest stars to come out of La Masia’s respected academy, he was handed over the number 10 jersey to Lionel Messi when the legendary striker left Barca in 2021.
This season, the winger was hit by injuries again. He missed 11 games, a total of 84 dayswith a muscle problem and a foot injury. So the 22-year-old only has made eight appearances in all competitions and did not score a goal.
His overall record at Barca has dwindled somewhat over time as he has been hit by injuries. He has played 120 timesscoring 29 goals and registering nine assists. This includes a goal and two assists against Real Sociedad in the 2022/23 season.
Over time, he had 13 separate injuries for the La Liga giants, and one each for Brighton and Hive Albion during his loan spells, where he scored four times and assisted once in 27 performances for the southern coastal side.
However, Spurs are still keen to sign the winger, surely because of the obvious talent that exists. His debut season 2019/20. she was a great example of what she can do, the campaign she’s in scored seven times and grabbed an assist, becoming the breakout star.
That season Fati was comparable to Spurs legend Gareth Bale who played for Real Madrid in 2019/20. The Welshman scored two goals and registered two assists in 16 La Liga games.
For the Lilywhites, Bale was sensational. Over two spells in North Londonhe scored 71 times and registered 53 assists. One of his most beautiful goals was scored against Inter in the Champions League, where he brought the ball out of his own half and scored. He also scored his first hat-trick for Spurs that day.
Similarities between Fati and Bale in the 2019/20 season. can be seen from a statistical point of view, according to FBref. For example, both had an expected goal number of 0.33xG per 90 minutes, and the Spaniard had slightly more key passes in each game, with 1.58 compared to 0.99. The Welshman’s 2.89 progressive passes per game narrowly beat Fati’s 2.54.
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Fati & Bale’s 2019/20 La Liga statistics compared |
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|---|---|---|
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Statistics (90 each) |
Fati |
Bales |
|
Expected goals |
0.33xG |
0.33xG |
|
Key passages |
1.58 |
0.99 |
|
Progressive additions |
2.89 |
2.54 |
|
Actions to create a shot |
3.42 |
2.98 |
|
Progressive mounts |
6.75 |
3.97 |
|
Statistics from FBref |
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If Spurs can get Fati back to a good level of fitness, they could have a “phenom” on their hands, as football statistician Statman Dave once described itwho can progress up the pitch and make things happen in the final third in a similar way that Bale has done in his career.
Postecoglou will be hoping the 22-year-old can return to those levels at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they look to win the trophy for the first time since 2008, when Bale was just breaking through.
