Johan Lange says Kevin Danso is not just a great stylistic fit for Ange Postecoglou’s system, but will also add a lot to the dressing room, given his personality.
Tottenham go for experience over youth in defence
In the new era under Lange and Postecoglou, Spurs have prioritised signing the best young raw talent in the world and giving them a platform to fulfil their potential.
While the signings of Antonin Kinsky and Mathys Tel fit that blueprint, Tottenham bucked that trend with the addition of Kevin Danso, who arrives with plenty of experience under his belt at the highest level.
Danso could even slot straight into the XI and make his Spurs debut against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final this evening.
Johan Lange on what Kevin Danso brings to Tottenham
Lange has now admitted that Spurs see the Austria international as someone who has the attributes to thrive in Postecoglou’s backline.
Interestingly, the Tottenham technical director revealed that the centre-back’s personality was also one of the factors in the signing, as well as his experience and age.
The Dane told Spurs Play about Danso: “Yeah, the stylistic fit is always important. The way we play we need players who are able to come in and perform within that style.
“Kevin, of course, as you say, is a very good stylistic fit but also he comes in with a lot of experience, both in the Bundesliga and in the Ligue 1 in France, as well as from the Austrian national team.
“He comes in at a good age with the experience to come in and take a role from the first day. Getting to know him more and more I’m sure that his personality will play a huge factor in the dressing room going forward.”
Danso is an aggressive, front-foot defender
In Danso, Tottenham have found someone who has very similar characteristics to Cristian Romero, although arguably not as talented as the Argentine.
The former Lens man is dominant in one-v-one battles and likes to defend on the front foot, which is something that Postecoglou loves to see from his centre-backs.
The fact that he has some Premier League experience will also mean that the settling-in period is easier for Danso, who will not be surprised by the pace and intensity of the English top-flight.