Tottenham asked about signing defender whose passing is even better than Micky van de Ven

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Tottenham Hotspur’s defending is perhaps their ultimate Achilles heel.

Ange Postecoglou plays a gung-ho brand of football and some might argue that the way Spurs are set up is why they routinely ship an excessive number of goals.

This season, Tottenham have conceded an alarming 37 goals in 23 Premier games — highlighting how shambolic they are the back.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
15	TottenhamTottenham	23	7	3	13	46	37	9	24

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven’s injuries could be healed by the time the Lilywhites face Liverpool, which could certainly add a degree of solidity to their backline.

Ange Postecoglou predicted Tottenham to win games soon once all his injured players are back to full fitness as well.

However, Spurs cannot afford to be as porous defensively as they have been for much longer as outscoring teams will become their only viable solution to get over the line in games.

Tottenham “asked about” signing Olivier Boscagli

With Romero and Van de Ven both being quite injury-prone, it would make complete sense if Johan Lange prioritised the addition of a brand-new centre-back this month.

Since the pair have been injured, Tottenham have conceded a startling 22 goals in 13 games across all competitions.

Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas have revealed that Tottenham “asked about” signing PSV Eindhoven centre-back Olivier Boscagli as well as Feyenoord defender David Hancko, who Spurs were keen on signing as TBR Football revealed in December.

It has been reported that Ange Postecoglou’s side “considered” the addition of a left-sided centre-half.

However, Tottenham’s focus until the end of the January transfer window is to now sign a forward.

Tottenham are expected to make signings this January. Hancko was high on Tottenham’s list as sources told TBR Football recently confirmed that Feyenoord were open to a sale as well. Tottenham target Milan Skriniar seems Fenerbahce-bound as well.

However, the link to Boscagli is one that seems relatively fresh but considering Ange Postecoglou plays a possession-dominant system, the 27-year-old’s comfortability on the ball would have suited Tottenham.

The Frenchman is one of PSV Eindhoven’s main players, starting 27 games in all competitions this campaign.

Capable of playing as a centre-back and a left-back, his versatility would have been very useful to Spurs.

Olivier Boscagli stats vs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero

A statistical comparison between Boscagli, Van de Ven and Romero proves why he might have suited Tottenham to a tee.

The Monaco-born defender has a superior pass success rate (88.6%) than Van de Ven (90.8%), who is one of the Premier League’s best ball-playing centre-backs.

While Romero (90.8%) trumps Boscagli in this respect, it is important to note that the latter also plays 8.4 long balls per game while the former plays just 2.8 in comparison.

Defensively as well, the once-Tottenham target trumps both of Spurs’ centre-backs in both regards despite playing in a PSV side who are the league leaders of the Eredivisie unlike the Lilywhites, who are sitting in 15th place in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
15	TottenhamTottenham	23	7	3	13	46	37	9	24

There is still time in the window for Spurs to try signing Boscagli, who seems to have all the traits a modern centre-back must to thrive in today’s day and age.