Alessandro Bastoni was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer and, while Antonio Conte missed out on his primary target, the north Londoners didn't exactly walk away empty handed. Instead, Spurs set their sights on Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet, who could prove to be a shrewd alternative.
The 27-year-old has joined the north Londoners on a season-long loan from the Spanish giants, with no option-to-buy. He had been heavily linked with an exit from the Camp Nou for some time after falling out of favour under Xavi.
Amid limited first-team opportunities at Barcelona — despite having helped the club secure a domestic double in 2018/19 — transfer chief Fabio Paratici tried to lure the France international to Hotspur Way a year ago but a deal never came to fruition. As they say, good things come to those who wait; Tottenham could be in for a pleasant surprise, with many significant factors pointing towards a bright future for Lenglet at the club.
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While the Frenchman enjoyed far fewer number of appearances in La Liga compared to Bastoni in Serie A, Lenglet boasts a healthy profile which rivals the Inter Milan defender. According to Fbref, Spurs' fifth signing of the summer had a superior passing record, highlighting his excellence in possession.
Lenglet, who sees his contract at the Camp Nou expire in 2026, also boasted a somewhat greater defensive record, with plentiful actions per 90 minutes which are synonymous with Conte's philosophy, as pictured below. Bastoni held his ground on the possession front, flaunting an impressive ability to drive forward through the thirds.
And, while the pair seem to be of fairly similar profiles, one key statistic stands out. Lenglet was never dispossessed while in possession, enjoying a far greater ability to receive the ball under pressure.
While there is no option-to-buy, Spurs have put themselves in the driving seat next summer with a number of options at their disposal; revisit a deal for Bastoni, engineer a permanent deal for Lenglet or look elsewhere.
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