Tottenham could pull off one of the greatest swaps of all time to solidify their squad.
Richarlison remains a talented attacker, but he has yet to convert that talent into consistent efficiency at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With just 12 Premier League goals in two seasons after a £50 million move from Everton to North London, his performance has been underwhelming by most standards, signalling the need for some kind of change or adjustment.
The arrival of Dominic Solanke for a record fee further complicates the situation, heightening the competition for minutes on the pitch this season.
AC Milan, on the hunt for another striker after signing Álvaro Morata, sees Richarlison as a fitting addition to their squad. He fits the profile they desperately need: a mobile striker who can facilitate goals for other attackers without bearing the full responsibility of scoring.
Tottenham Hotspur is currently light in central midfield but heavy in attack, and a swap deal involving Ruben Loftus-Cheek plus cash would be a smart move. While Spurs have numbers in midfield, their availability over a gruelling 38-match season has been questionable, negatively impacting the team for three consecutive seasons.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek offers versatility across all three midfield roles in Ange Postecoglou’s setup, whether as an option in the double pivot or in the offensive role currently occupied by Maddison, whose injury significantly hurt the team last season.
Tottenham cannot afford to enter another season without adequate provisions for midfield injuries, especially considering the history of Bissouma, Bentancur, and Maddison. Loftus-Cheek’s ability to play as an attacking, central, or even defensive midfielder makes him an invaluable asset for any team.
When you pay a record fee for a striker, it indicates that you trust him to lead the line. This effectively pushes Richarlison out of his role. Solanke, who scored 19 goals and provided 3 assists for a mid-table Bournemouth, is likely to improve those numbers in a stronger team with a better pool of forwards around him, making him a strong candidate to start ahead of Richarlison.
AC Milan could offer a refreshing environment for the troubled Brazilian attacker, given their history of reviving careers. Fikayo Tomori found success there, Brahim Díaz rejuvenated his career before returning to Real Madrid to win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, and Pulisic is rediscovering his Borussia Dortmund form.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also overcome his inconsistency since joining Milan. If fit, Richarlison could compete with Morata for the number 9 spot and provide cover for Rafael Leão on the left when the Portuguese forward needs rest. The two clubs have already done business this summer with Emerson Royal.
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The staff at Tottenham Hotspur are absolutely raving about Archie Gray. They cannot believe the club got their hands on him, and they are buzzing.
That is according to trusted source Paul O Keefe.
Gray arrives at Spurs as the fourth most expensive 18-year-old ever, the most expensive 18-year-old non-Brazilian ever, and the most expensive non-Real Madrid 18-year-old signing ever.
There is no way that Spurs would have forked out such a financial outlay for someone of his age if they didn’t have strong confidence in his ability, but it appears even the staff are surprised by just how good the youngster from Leeds is.
Ange was recently full of praise for Gray, claiming that he has settled in well, as well as praising his mindset and how he has coped despite playing in different positions over the course of pre-season.
Ange also mentioned that his versatility was a factor in the signing – so we could see Gray playing in defense as well as midfield this season if push comes to shove.
Tottenham staff raving about prospect
With Yves Bissouma suspended for the opener at Leicester City on Monday night, Gray has a good chance of starting the game, with Rodrigo Bentancur his fiercest competitor in that regard.
Ange touched on this in the above interview, claiming that Gray has “every chance to play” in the showdown at the King Power.
With the number of games to be played this season and Gray’s versatility, you can be absolutely sure that the England U21 international will get plenty of minutes this season. Plus, whilst no doubt the signing was a long-term one, you would be surprised if Spurs forked out such an outlay on somebody who they were planning to sit on the bench, even if it was only for one season.
Gray could even be tried out at left-back on Monday, owing to his versatility, and with Destiny Udogie only playing 45 minutes in pre-season after having sur
Tottenham Hotspur’s summer signing Archie Gray is poised to play a significant role as a right-back in the upcoming season, according to The Telegraph.
The 18-year-old, who joined Spurs in a £40 million deal from Leeds United, is expected to be a crucial part of manager Ange Postecoglou’s plans, primarily filling the right-back position.
Despite the impressive performances of Lucas Bergvall during pre-season, Gray has also made a strong impression in the friendlies. His arrival at Tottenham has generated considerable excitement, with many viewing him as one of the most promising young talents in English football.
Gray’s maturity on the pitch was evident last season at Leeds, where he excelled both as a right-back and in central midfield.
The Telegraph reports that Gray’s versatility and potential were major factors in his recruitment. Postecoglou’s strategy will see Gray initially serve as an understudy to Pedro Porro, providing valuable depth and competition in the right-back position.
Midfielder or right-back? Postecoglou’s plan for Archie Gray at Tottenham revealed
Spurs’ coaching staff are confident that Gray is ready to step up to the highest level, reflecting the high regard in which he is held.
However, Tottenham’s plans for Gray are not limited to the right-back role. The club views this position as a temporary measure, with the long-term vision being for Gray to develop into a top-class deep-lying playmaker.
This shift in focus highlights Gray’s adaptability and the club’s belief in his potential to excel in a more central role as he matures.
The recent decision by Postecoglou to retain Djed Spence could influence Gray’s usage. With Spence staying at the club, there might be adjustments in how Gray is deployed.
It is possible that Gray could see more opportunities in central midfield, especially in Europa League group-stage matches, aligning with his future development goals.
It will be interesting to observe how Gray balances his immediate responsibilities as a right-back with his longer-term development.
