Tottenham: Wimmer ‘ready’ to step-in; Italian international defender linked

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An interesting development at White Hart Lane of late has been Mauricio Pochettino’s U-turn in the transfer market over his defensive options. Having seemingly ruled out bringing in a centre-half over the transfer window to cover for the injured Jan Vertonghen, following reports in the Daily Mirror that a centre-half was not on his list of recruitment priorities, the Argentine may well be going back on his word, with the Daily Star another source adding fuel to the fire ignited by Calciomercato, suggesting that Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia could be on the way to White Hart Lane.

The report from the Daily Star claims that an unnamed source, who is an agent in the City of London, was the latest whistle-blower of Spurs’ rumoured interest in the Italy international. The report, however, does also claim that the club has responded by playing down talk of a move for the Italian. Kaveh Solhekol addressed the speculation on Sky Sports this morning, and said, as quoted in the article:

“Our colleagues in Italy are reporting Hull and Swansea have been offered the chance to sign Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia. He’s valued at around £5m, and his agent has been in London.

“Sources close to the player say Spurs are also interested. We understand that is not the case.”

Despite all the speculation about Pochettino potentially adding to Tottenham’s array of options at the back, one player at the club unfazed by such talk is Kevin Wimmer, who has declared that he is ready to step-up to the plate and fill in at the back during the absence of Vertonghen, and potentially if Alderweireld is sidelined for any amount of time after being forcibly withdrawn against Manchester City over the weekend.

ESPN FC, who picked up comments made by the Austrian to reporters at the Etihad on Saturday, where he played the first 45 minutes, quote him as follows:

“Of course, I try to do my best but it’s not easy when you don’t play every week, but you always have to be ready as a footballer, and I am. It’s always a good feeling when the manager trusts you to play in important games like today, against Manchester City”.

“It’s not a good feeling when any of our players are injured, especially if it’s a bad injury. Jan is a strong guy, his mind is strong and he is always positive. Everyone hopes he will be back soon. With Toby too, I think the injury is not too bad but it’s never good when such important players get injured.”

If indeed, Pochettino is to dip into the transfer market in search of defensive reinforcements, it will more than likely be in the event that Toby Alderweireld is also set for a spell on the sidelines, rather than if he is simply without the services of Jan Vertonghen.

With a mere one defender out with injury, Wimmer, and teammate Ben Davies would provide adequate defensive cover, but if two key centre-halves of Pochettino’s three were to be out of action for an extended period of time, it is highly likely he would then look to reinforce his squad. This may well explain his U-Turn in the market if there is any substance to the rumours surrounding the club and its links to Andrea Ranocchia.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Alex Hannam.