Garth Crooks raves about Tottenham star after win over Manchester City

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Japhet Tanganga was bang in form for Tottenham on Saturday as they defeated reigning champions Manchester City. Following the game, Garth Crooks named him in his Team of the Week on the BBC Sport website.

The academy graduate was perhaps a surprise name on the team sheet. Nuno Espirito Santo opted for the youngster ahead of Matt Doherty who was on the bench and the out of favour Serge Aurier.

He didn’t disappoint as was named as the Man of the Match by some pundits. Tanganga was up against Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling and wasn’t fazed throughout the contest. He roared into tackles and helped Tottenham to three massive points.

Tanganga fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho. There was even some talk that he could go out on loan for the 2021/22 campaign, although Espirito Santo can’t possibly be considering that now.

Crooks certainly doesn’t think so. He named the Tottenham man of the moment in his maiden Team of the Week for the 2021/22 campaign, raving about his performance.

He told BBC Sport: “I looked at Tottenham’s starting line-up against Manchester City and thought: Spurs can’t win this game. What City had in class, Spurs matched in grit and determination. This was epitomised by the performance of Tanganga.

“He was seriously good against Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish couldn’t unsettle him either.

“He’s no Cyril Knowles but he might be part of a new Tottenham team that people start to take seriously again.

Tanganga can be mainstay in Tottenham team this season

It’s mad to think that the youngster has been linked with a move away from North London this summer. Galatasaray were reportedly the latest club to emerge as contenders to sign him.

The 22-year-old has now set the benchmark for his teammates. It will take something special for either Doherty or Aurier to wrestle the shirt from his back after his performance on Sunday.

Espirito Santo will have been desperately impressed. Supporters will be delighted at one of their own getting a regular run in a key area of the pitch.