Former Spur offers blunt assessment of two rumoured summer transfer targets

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Darren Anderton has given his blunt assessment on two rumoured transfer targets.

Spurs are expected to dip into the transfer market this summer after eighteen months of inactivity having not signed any fresh faces in the previous two windows.

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been heavily linked with a move to North London since last summer when a move failed to materialise despite intense speculation a transfer was imminent (Express).

Another player who could be on the move this summer is Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha with the winger having already stated his desire to play Champions League football which has led to reported interest from Spurs (Standard).

Anderton, who played for Spurs between 1992 and 2004 believes that neither Grealish or Zaha would make it into the club’s strongest starting eleven.

The former England international believes that Grealish has the potential in time to develop into a top talent, but would fail to make an immediate impact.

Anderton told SportingBet: “Jack Grealish wouldn’t improve Tottenham’s team and they’ve got better players in his position already. We’ve seen from his performances for Aston Villa this season that he’s a very talented player but he isn’t good enough to walk straight into their starting team.

“Grealish certainly has the potential to develop into a top, top player and he would fit the Spurs ethos, but if he joins it would very much be as a squad player.

“Wilfried Zaha wouldn’t get in Tottenham’s starting team and he would be too expensive to sit on the bench. There’s no doubting he is an excellent player but I don’t see him coming into the Tottenham team and replacing the likes of Son, Eriksen, Alli or Kane.

“He’s has got a little bit of arrogance, swagger and a real belief in his ability, but he would be a hell of a lot of money to spend on someone who is not going to walk straight into the team. If he was to come in as a squad player, he would be an incredible addition.”

Opinion

While I respect Anderton’s honest assessment of the pair, there is no doubt that both can add significant value. If Spurs want to take the step to compete for the Premier League along with regularly progressing to the latter stages of the Champions League, the club needs strength and depth. Grealish and Zaha would certainly offer that.

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