Tottenham would be wise to take a look at Chelsea’s situation before they allow Japhet Tanganga to join AC Milan in the January transfer window.
Spurs were outclassed 2-0 by Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday – the fourth time the Blues have got the better of them this season.
The north London side have now won just one of their last 37 away games in all competitions against Chelsea.
That is a truly dismal record which shows the gulf in class between the clubs – a fact which Spurs boss Antonio Conte knows all too well.
“To be an important team, you need important players,” Conte told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday. “At the moment we are far away. It takes time. Years.”
Conte named six defenders in his starting line-up at Stamford Bridge, and yet the club are arguably still short of quality at the back.
That is why sending Tanganga to Milan – be it on loan or on a permanent transfer – is a decision which could backfire on Tottenham.
According to BBC Sport , Spurs are locked in talks with the Italian giants over a move for the right-back, who has also played on the right side of a back three this season.
AC Milan reportedly want a straight loan deal for Tanganga, who is under contract with Spurs until the summer of 2025, while Tottenham would only consider a permanent switch, according to The Athletic .
The 22-year-old struggled against Callum Hudson-Odoi at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and had to be withdrawn in the 56th minute after picking up a yellow card and being targeted by the home side.
He is still very raw and is learning his trade, yet due to Spurs’ current situation is still a valuable asset.
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Tanganga has started the last five games for Conte’s side and, according to The Athletic, wants to stay put this month rather than push for a move to Milan.
That would be the wise decision for Spurs to take, with the club more keen to move on high earners Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso before the window closes in seven days.
If they were to let Tanganga go then Tottenham could be made to regret their short-sightedness.
They only need to look at what has happened with Fikayo Tomori since Chelsea sanctioned his exit to AC Milan last year.
The Blues did secure a fee of £25million for Tomori last summer following a successful loan spell for the Englishman in Serie A.
But his development since – and the ongoing contractual wrangling at Stamford Bridge – suggests they may come to regret his departure.
Tomori is a key part of Stefano Pioli’s side and has made 23 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
His form has been rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad and mirrors the development of Tammy Abraham, who left Chelsea in a £34m transfer for Roma, where he is now thriving.
Chelsea wanted to raise funds for the £97.5m Romelu Lukaku transfer and Tomori’s sale should be viewed in that context.
But with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger out of contract in the summer and stalling on renewing amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, it appears as though Chelsea could do with Tomori’s presence.
Tottenham don’t have the luxury of such quality defenders, as Conte has made very clear with his public comments recently.
They should therefore be even more careful in their approach towards letting players leave this month.
