TBR View: Tottenham’s reported Joe Rodon interest should worry Japhet Tanganga

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Despite previously earning rave reviews from Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, defender Japhet Tanganga should be starting to fear for his first-team spot and the amount of minutes he could get moving forward.

Tanganga, 21, has come through the Spurs academy as a youngster and he made a breakthrough to the senior squad during the last campaign.

The Englishman has put in some eye-catching performances in his 12 first-team appearances so far, including in a Premier League defeat to Liverpool back in January that left Mourinho calling him “fantastic” (Football London) in his post-match press conference.

It looked like he was primed to compete for one of four centre-back positions this season, especially after Jaun Foyth exited on loan.

Eric Dier has reverted to a centre-half and is very much in favour with Mourinho at present, plus there is also the duo of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez.

But speculation is linking the North London club with signing a new defender this month and Tanganga should fear that happening.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs are in discussions with Championship side Swansea City over £18million-rated centre-back Joe Rodon.

The 22-year-old ball-playing defender is a highly-rated talent that has impressed in the second-tier and he also looked the part on Thursday night for Wales on the international stage against England at Wembley Stadium.

If the Welshman does join Spurs before the EFL window shuts, surely the youngster won’t be arriving to sit on the fringes and will at least be in contention.

Tanganga has played just one game so far this season in all competitions and was absent at the start through injury, plus he appears to have fallen down the pecking order for now.

He’s also been forced to withdraw from the England Under-21s squad with an injury this week, but it’s unclear on the severity of it.

The Spurs academy graduate has the advantage that his versatility means he can easily slot into full-back positions and be a good squad option, but the Rodon interest is not a good sign for his long-term hopes if he wants to be played in his best position.