Opinion: Why Japhet Tanganga will be key for Spurs next season

Japhet Tanganga was likely disappointed by the 20/21 season. After his impressive breakout season in 2019, many expected the young centre-back to push on and become a core member of the Spurs squad this season.

Unfortunately, Tanganga struggled with injuries and made the same number of Premier League appearances in the 20/21 season as the 19/20 campaign.

However, Tanganga has a key role to play for Spurs next season. Tanganga and Dier are the only senior centre-backs at Spurs who are not involved in an international tournament this summer. And Eric Dier has been linked with a move away from North London.

Therefore, it would not be unlikely to find that Tanganga is the only well-rested centre-back at Spurs going into the new season. As Sanchez (Colombia), Rodon (Wales), and Alderweireld (Belgium) are all expected to go relatively far in their respective competitions.

And after their sides are knocked out – or win -, players must be given a three-week break, although they can come back sooner if they choose to.

This will not be easy for the new Spurs boss, as he will need to familiarize himself with the entire Spurs team.

However, the new boss will be familiar with Tanganga as they will have been training together for the entirety of pre-season. This is based on the assumption that Spurs have appointed their new boss before the start of pre-season – 5 July.

Not only this, but I get the feeling that the new manager will be playing a five-at-the-back formation next year, which could suit Tanganga down to the ground as a right-sided centre-back.

Ultimately, the new head coach will need to be able to call upon players that he can count on. Tanganga will have to make himself one of those players if he wants to improve on his previous seasons.

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