The summer transfer period is a key time for Premier League sides to strengthen their squads, and Tottenham will certainly be no different. There is a sense of pressure on Spurs this coming season to capture silverware, and the addition of Wilfried Zaha may be an element that helps to bring that particular success.
The Crystal Palace winger has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer, with several sides reportedly interested. Tottenham and Everton have been identified, with Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund said to be keen on signing him as well. Zaha’s transfer fee has been rumoured to be in the region of £70 million.
The Ivorian international has spent the majority of this decade with the Eagles, as only a short stint with Manchester United took away from his time with the club. Zaha has rejected a new contract with Palace, and appears poised for a new setting in 2018-19.
For Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, this is a move that could bring significant benefits to his line-up.
While the fee is extremely high, the North London side would be gaining a player full of creativity and one with a skillful touch on the ball.
Capable of taking defenders on out wide in the final third, his arrival would bring a new dimension to the attack.
Danger on the wings
It should of course be noted that Tottenham already have effective scoring numbers, netting 74 goals in 38 league games last term. However, that is still more than 30 behind Manchester City’s record-breaking 106, and Pochettino must find a way to close that gap. In order to do so, Zaha may be able to provide a spark in different areas.
As effective as the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are, Spurs tend to operate centrally as they move into the opposing half. The team have outstanding passing capabilities and can overwhelm the competition on their day, but every squad needs to have various directions and ways in which they can strike. Adding Zaha would give Tottenham that flexibility, and it could be the key to finding a trophy in the upcoming campaign.
With pace and skill, Zaha can create opportunities in the opposing half for both himself and for team-mates. Cutting inside would allow him to find space for key passes or even shots of his own, and he has already displayed an ability to lose defenders in possession during his time at Palace.
For Kane and fellow forward Son Heung-min, suddenly the front-line can take on a variety of different shapes. With Son and Zaha out wide, Kane would have the ability to operate with more space in front of goal. The English international has been a goalscoring machine, and now he may be even more productive with different tactics allowing more positive effects in the attack.
Tottenham and manager Mauricio Pochettino have been involved in Premier League title races and have qualified for Champions League football during recent times. The next step is lifting a title, and Wilfried Zaha could be a crucial component to making that happen in 2018-19.
