Spurs submitted an offer to sign the “ball-carrying machine”

Under management Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have undoubtedly become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in European football.

The Australian’s philosophy and methods ensure that, whether home or away, there are plenty of goals when Spurs play.

However, in order to get the absolute most out of this style of football, the team needs a monster covering the pitch in the middle of the park, someone who is ready to intercept attacks and then quickly move the ball up the pitch, someone like Chelsea Moises Caicedo.

Fortunately, while they can’t go out and sign the Ecuadorian, the club have recently been linked with another exciting defensive midfielder who has been compared to him.

Tottenham are chasing a monster in midfield

According to a a recent report from Caught OffsideTottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Palmeiras star Richard Rios this month.

In fact, the report revealed that the North Londoners have already seen a bid rejected by the Brazilian outfit, but remain interested in bringing him to the N17, while Nottingham Forest and Everton are also pushing for the Colombia international.

The report revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder has a €100m release clause in his current contract, but it is far more likely that a lower offer will eventually be accepted.

It could end up being an expensive and complicated transfer to get over the line this month, but given Rios’ ability, it’s one worth a shot, especially as he’s been compared to the brilliant Caicedo.

How Rios compares to Caiceda

So Spurs fans may not like him that much – he is a Chelsea star after all – but Rios being primarily a defensive midfielder and being compared to Caicedo is a hugely encouraging sign, but where does this comparison come from?

Well, that primarily derived from FBrefwho compared players in similar positions at last year’s Copa América, then made a list of the ten most comparable players for each, and in this case concluded that the Ecuadorian is the most similar midfielder to the Colombian in the tournament.

We can better understand how we came to this conclusion by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank well, including but not limited to progressive passes received, expected non-penalty goals, pass accuracy, penalty passes, blocks, aerial duels won and more, 90 each.

However, it’s not just the comparisons to the Blues’ midfield that make the Vegachí-born star such an attractive prospect, as his overall basic numbers over the last 365 days have also been brilliant.

For example, FBref posted “ball carrying machine,” as analyst Ben Mattinson called itin the top 2% of midfielders in the next 14 top competitions for final third attacks, top 7% for dribblers challenged and takeover attempts, top 8% for total shots, top 10% for blocked passes, top 11% for goals plus assists and more , all 90.

In addition, Mattinson also describes dynamic ace as a “pressure resistant” monster with an “an engine that allows him to get up and down the pitch all game”, which makes him sound like the perfect addition to Postecoglou’s all-action side.

Ultimately, there are risks to signing a player outside of Europe, but Rios looks like the real deal, and with comparisons to a star like Caicedo, Spurs should make sure to sign him before someone else arrives first.