According to a report from the Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur defensive prodigy Japhet Tanganga looks ‘set to sign‘ a new long term deal with the club following an impressive campaign – with the 21-year-old so far averaging more tackles per 90 than fan favourite Jan Vertonghen.
Tanganga, starting just six Premier League games this season, has seemingly done enough to impress Daniel Levy and co – warranting a new and improved contract coupled with a significant pay rise on his current £1,000-per-week wages.
Could Tanganga become our new Ledley King?
Yes, has the makings of a great defender
No
The deal, coming after teammates Oliver Skipp and Eric Dier put pen-to-paper on extensions themselves, will apparently run until 2024 – with the homegrown youngster recently stating he would be ‘happy‘ to remain in north London for life.
Indeed, the versatile defender can play across our back line in both the full-back areas and at centre-half – with Tanganga arguably being one of the shining lights during an otherwise forgettable campaign.
Since coming back from injury, the youngster has failed to make an appearance since the Premier League restart – but has been given a spot on the bench over our last two matches.
Previously described as ‘fantastic‘ by manager Jose Mourinho, it’s little wonder why Tanganga has been offered a new deal judging by his stats.
According to WhoScored, he has averaged more clearances per game than Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier and Vertonghen while making as many tackles as Serge Aurier.
Whether or not he will eventually become a mainstay remains to be seen, but Tottenham may have tied down a real prospect.