Spurs evaluating three midfielders this month | OneFootball

As per a recent report from sports journalist Rudy Galetti, Spurs are evaluating midfielders; Johnny Cardoso, Nicolo Fagioli, and Davide Frattesi in this January transfer window.

Spurs looking at three midfielders during winter window

All three players have been linked to a move to North London before this window. In December, we saw links to Frattesi and Fagioli, whilst there have been clear links to Cardoso, due to Spurs having an option to buy the player for a little over 20 million this summer, in an agreement reached during the sale of Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis at the end of the summer transfer window.

Howver, there has been interest in Cardoso from other clubs this window, which may force Spurs' hands to make sure nobody gets there before they can. The midfielder has been seriously impressive for Betis this campaign, and was particularly singled out for praise after a performance in his side's win over high flying Atletico Madrid.

Out of the three players mentioned, the USMNT international is the closest fit to what this current Spurs side need. He is the closest profile to a defensive midfielder, who is capable of winning the ball back and has good off the ball stats. Whilst they are fine players, they are more box to box, number eight type of players, which is not the biggest priority for Spurs at this moment in time.

Let's look at the defensive stats. In La Liga, Cardoso makes; 1.7 interceptions per game, 1.9 tackles per game, 4.8 ball recoveries per game, and 2.6 clearances per game. In Serie A, Frattesi makes 0.1 interceptions per game, 0.6 tackles per game, 1.6 ball recoveries per game, and 0.1 clearances per game.

Finally, also in Serie A, Fagioli averages; 0.1 interceptions per game, 0.9 tackles per game, 2.2 ball recoveries per game, and 0.3 clearances per game. To caveat, Cardoso does play 67 minutes per game, Frattesi 43, and Fagioli 37 - but even if you were to make it per 90, the former is clearly the best midfielder off the ball of the 3.

That is more so what Spurs need. They already have a lot of technical ability in the midfield, and the plan long term will be to move Archie Gray there, having currently covered at centre back for so long. If they were to go for either of the two Italian midfielders, Frattesi would feel the most useful, given his goalscoring ability from midfield. As good as he is, Fagioli just really struggles to fit.