Former Italian left-back Federico Balzaretti has lavished praise on rumoured Spurs target Marash Kumbulla and compared him to legendary Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Kumbulla has been one of Hellas Verona’ standout performers this season and has been pivotal in their first season back in Serie A which has seen them rise to eighth place in the table.
The Albanian international’s performances have not gone unnoticed with the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United, AC Milan and Inter Milan all said to be interested in his services, according to a report by Firenze Viola back in February.
Verona coach Ivan Juric has already indicated that the 20-year-old will be extremely difficult to replace should he leave the club this summer (Tuttomercatoweb).
Balzaretti has offered the young central defender the ultimate compliment by comparing him to the legendary Chiellini, who he played alongside with the Italian national team on many occasions.
Speaking to Goal, the former Palermo defender said: “In the last few years, defenders are formed who are good at building the play but have problems in the defensive phase.
“Kumbulla, on the other hand, is a ‘defender’ defender, the first thing he thinks of is defending his goal and not conceding. Kumbulla reminds me a little of a young Giorgio Chiellini.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Based on that description, Kumbulla sounds like the exact no-nonsense type of centre back that Jose Mourinho loves working with.
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