When it comes to world-class players, Tottenham Hotspur have had their fair share in the Premier League era.
For example, while they never managed to get over the final hurdle, the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Mousa Dembélé were unreal under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, go back just that little bit further, and you get to Gareth Bale, who for quite some time was arguably one of the best wingers in world football.
So, fans should be ecstatic about recent reports that have linked the club with another sensational wideman who could be their best winger since the Welshman.
Tottenham transfer news
With just how terribly this season has gone for Tottenham, it’s unsurprising to see the club linked with a host of talented players in recent weeks, such as Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman could be available for around £40m in the summer, which might prove to be a reasonable price for the Manchester United product, as across his time with the Red Devils and Aston Villa this term, he’s produced 20 goal involvements in 41 appearances.
A slightly cheaper and far younger option is Tyler Dibling.
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The Southampton gem has been one of the few bright sparks for the Saints this season, could be available for about £35m and would fit in with the club’s current crop of young talents.
However, as promising as the Exeter-born prospect is, he’s not going to come in and make an instant impact, unlike Jarrod Bowen.
Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Spurs are keen to land the West Ham United star from their London rivals this summer.
Alongside the Lilywhites, Liverpool have also been credited with interest in the Englishman, and while the Hammers do not want to sell, the two parties could make an offer of up to €60m for the 28-year-old, which is about £51m.
It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Bowen’s immense ability, it’d be one worth fighting for.
Why Bowen would be Spurs’ best winger
So, should Spurs get their way and leapfrog Liverpool to sign Bowen this summer, why would he instantly become their best winger in a long time?
Well, there are a couple of reasons, but perhaps the most important is that he’s a reliable source of goals and assists.
For example, in just 32 appearances this term, he’s scored ten goals and provided nine assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.68 games.
In contrast, Son has scored 11 goals and produced 12 assists in 43 appearances, which comes out to one every 1.86 games.
Brennan Johnson has scored 16 goals and produced seven assists in 46 appearances, which comes out to a goal involvement every other game.
|
Bowen vs Spurs’ wingers |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Bowen |
Son |
Johnson |
Odobert |
|
Appearances |
32 |
43 |
46 |
17 |
|
Goals |
10 |
11 |
16 |
3 |
|
Assists |
9 |
12 |
7 |
0 |
|
Goal Involvements* |
0.59 |
0.53 |
0.50 |
0.17 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt (*per Match) |
||||
And finally, Wilson Odobert has scored just three goals in 17 appearances this season, which comes out at one every 5.66 games.
On top of the number of goals and assists he produces, the Irons’ “game-changer,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas, has also proven that he can handle the most significant occasions, as he scored the winning goal in the 2023 Conference League Final.
Last but not least, while he thrives out on the right, the Englishman is incredibly versatile and can play up top and as a second striker as well as off the left at times, which would allow whoever’s in the Lilywhites’ dugout far more tactical flexibility.
Ultimately, while he might not reach the same levels as peak Bale did, Bowen has the ability and application to be Spurs’ best winger since the Welshman left.
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