South American football expert has doubts over Spurs signing Alejo Veliz

Football pundit Tim Vickery has offered his thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur signing Alejo Veliz, and suggested the young striker could struggle in the Premier League.

Tottenham have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with new manager Ange Postecoglou having plenty of areas in his squad in need of reinforcement and rejuvenation.

The signings of Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, and Manor Solomon have got Spurs fans feeling positive about the season ahead.

While many supporters expect further acquisitions to come in defensive areas, it seems Tottenham also have one eye on their attacking options and are looking ahead to the future.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the Lilywhites are ready to wrap up a deal for the 19-year-old Argentine striker, Alejo Veliz. The transfer expert even gave the move his famous ‘Here we go’ treatment, so an official announcement is likely to be close.

Tim Vickery has doubts over Alejo Veliz

While the young forward is certainly talented, his abilities are not enough to convince Tim Vickery that he can be a success in the Premier League.

Vickery told Sky Sports: “In the insignificance of my opinion, I have some doubts here. Veliz is a 19-year-old strapping target man. We have seen quite a few out-and-out goalscorers from Argentina come over to English football – none of them made an impact.

“That type of player, who doesn’t offer a great deal apart from goalscoring, coming straight in from South America and from Argentina. That type of Argentine centre-forward has consistently struggled in Premier League football.

“Veliz, maybe I am being harsh on him, I saw plenty of him this year playing for Javier Mascherano’s Argentina U20 side, who really didn’t do well, at all. The side didn’t function. They were a huge disappointment – he scored some goals with some towering headers, that’s what he does best and he can lead the line.

“But I didn’t see enough there to make me think ‘yes, this is a player who is ready for the Premier League’. He scored goals this season in Argentine football and the goal tally is getting better, year by year. But the strength of the Argentine first division is not what it first was.”

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I don’t think anyone expects Veliz to come in this season and set the Premier League alight. He will very likely go back out on loan for this campaign, but when he returns he will hopefully have enough about him to succeed in the Premier League.

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