Opinion: Defending Tottenham’s signing of Bryan Gil

Earlier this summer, Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of young winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla. The deal reportedly consisted of Spurs sending around £22 million and Erik Lamela to Sevilla (Guardian).

Some were left questioning, despite the hype that he is getting from those who watch La Liga and live in his native country of Spain, who is Bryan Gil and is he really worth that money?

I’m here to explain to supporters why, despite the need for defenders, Bryan Gil is well worth what Spurs gave up to get him.

Gil, now 20 years old, spent last season on loan at SD Eibar from his parent club Sevilla. Despite Eibar being relegated from La Liga, he always managed to catch the eye and produced some eye-popping statistics, including:

-Completing 67 dribbles, 3rd most amongst U21 players in “Europe’s Top 5 leagues” (WhoScored)

-Completed 210 progressive ball carries, most amongst Eibar players (Statman Dave)

-Completed 53 passes into the box, most amongst Eibar players (Statman Dave)

-Had 52 chances created, most amongst Eibar players (Statman Dave)

-Had 35 carries into the box, most amongst Eibar players (Statman Dave)

-He created more chances than any U23 player in La Liga last season (Statman Dave)

Bryan is a player who simply made things happen when he had the ball at his feet for Eibar. He offered exactly the type of creative spark and livewire ability that a team like Spurs could really use at the moment.

Those who have watched him consistently have compared him to the likes of Federico Chiesa, Jack Grealish, and David Silva. He’s even developed the nickname “Mini Cryuff” from some fans.

Many maintain that he is Spain’s 3rd best young prospect behind only Pedri and Ansu Fati, who are widely regarded as “generational prospects”

Whilst Spurs certainly need help in the backline, you also have to be advantageous and take advantage of good opportunities handed to you.

To secure the signing of Gil at such a reasonable price and whilst offloading a player who the club were desperate to find a buyer for, Spurs have done a great bit of business, and opportunities like this don’t come around every day.

Now, Gil may need time to settle in at Spurs, it’s his first time living abroad permanently, it’s a new league, and a new culture. However, he has the talents and skillset needed to be exactly the type of player Spurs lack in their front four in the long run.

This player is extremely gifted and regardless of what happens, this deal is a very smart, calculated risk by Tottenham.

Of course, we need to address other positions but to act like Gil is a nobody who is destined to flop (as some fans are unfortunately doing) is silly.

This could be the signing of the window in the long run, even if we do get in some of our rumoured targets, because of just how talented Gil is.

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