VfB Stuttgart’s highly rated defender Serdar Tasci has been linked with a move to Tottenham recently, but do Tottenham really need another defender considering the depth they already have in the defensive position?
The 23-year-old German player of Turkish decent is certainly a good prospect and has also attracted the attentions of Serie A Juventus, he also has been linked with both AC Milan and Arsenal in the past.
Tasci has played three full seasons for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. He has made 98 appearances (in all competitions) for the club in total and has even grabbed the odd goal, five in total. The German side also had a decent defensive record despite finishing a slightly disappointing sixth place over the 2009/10 season as they only conceding 31 goals in the league. The defender has also proven himself to be fairly adaptable too as he can play at both centre-half and at right back.
Not to say that there is any truth in the rumour, but considering the personnel in the current playing squad it seems a little odd that Harry Redknapp’s side are chasing defenders.
Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Sebastien Bassong, Vedran Corluka and Jonathan Woodgate are all already in the squad and can all play in the centre-half position. However, both King and Woodgate have their individual injury woes, so perhaps the White Hart Lane outfit are seeking to bolster their ranks to cover for injuries.
On the other hand, with every transfer window you can expect departures as well as arrivals and Redknapp may feel that some squad members are not good enough now that the club have Champions League football in the offing next season. UEFA’s top flight cup competition will be weighing in the mind of the Lilywhites manager as he plans on preparing his squad for the season ahead.
You could argue that Redknapp will need to increase the size of his squad now that the north London club will be contending in European football as well as the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.
His agent has denied that the player is seeking a move:
“Serdar Tasci has a contract with VfB Stuttgart and he is feeling at home being a player of that club.
“At this point in his career he has no willingness to move on, we have really not lined up a transfer.”
However, it is doubtful that Tasci would turn down the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League, surely?
Tasci has a contract at his current club until 2014, with a release clause in the region of £18.5 million.
Juventus have perhaps been the club who have most strongly linked with a move for a player and obviously rate him highly as their new manager Luigi Del Neri sees him as the perfect replacement for veteran centre-half Fabio Cannavaro, who is to depart Turin. But Juventus do not have the right to play against Europe’s elite like Spurs do, so the London club could be favourite if they do decide to come in for the player.
What do the Tottenham think of their current depth in strength? Even if it’s not to be Stuttgart’s Tasci, is it an area that needs strengthening?