Tottenham Interested In Star Midfielder But Face Man United Challenge: Why Spurs Should Not Make A Move

According to Goal, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the services of Mathias Normann. The FC Rostov midfielder has impressed the onlookers with his performances in the Russian Premier League. However, Spurs could face stiff competition from league rivals Manchester United as well as Spanish giants Sevilla. It is believed that Normann could cost around £15-20 million. 

Normann’s rise to prominence

Normann used to play for Brighton & Hove Albion when he joined the English outfit in 2017. But, the midfielder was immediately loaned out to Molde FK. He never really managed to make an impression in the Brighton first-team.

As a result, Normann moved to FC Rostov earlier this year. He became a valuable component in the first-team for the Russian outfit, making nine league appearances during the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.

This season, the Dane has been performing on a whole new level. He has been one of the best performers in the Russian Premier League in this new campaign, and his contributions in midfield have helped FC Rostov emerge as one of the contenders for the title along with FC Krasnodar, Zenit St. Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow.

What can he bring to the table?

Normann is a central midfielder by trade. But, he usually likes to operate as a deep-lying playmaker. One of his most significant assets is his passing and ball circulation. He is capable of threading long passes in behind the backline, and unlike a traditional CDM, his passes are direct.

However, what makes Normann such a unique component in midfield is his ability to drive forward. Indeed, the Dane is blessed with quick feet that allow him to nestle through tight spaces and make his way into the final third – making him a well-rounded midfielder.

Should Tottenham make a move for Normann?

Normann seems like a viable option for Tottenham, given his overall skill set. But, the fact that the Lilywhites already have the likes of Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele makes the potential signing of the Rostov midfielder slightly redundant. 

Both Winks and Ndombele have the quality to enhance the Spurs midfield, even though the former often struggles against quality opposition. And with Christian Eriksen facing an uncertain future at the club, it would perhaps be wiser for the Premier League giants to scour the market for a new playmaker. Nicolo Zaniolo, for one, could be an excellent option along with Leicester City’s James Maddison.