Brazilian midfielder Willian could be on his way to the Premier League, as the clear-out at stricken Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala continues.
Willian, 25, is reportedly interesting Tottenham Hotspur and the attacking midfielder would certainly add extra creativity to Spurs’ central area. Other reports claim the Brazilian has arrived in London ahead of a medical with Spurs.
But will Andre Villas-Boas keep spending money like it’s going out of fashion? It seems so. With Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capou joining for around $90 million, this Spurs rebuild is getting crazy.
I spoke with the Portuguese boss last weekend after his side beat Crystal Palace, and AVB insisted that they wanted to strengthen their squad.
“At the moment we don’t have lots of options in defense,” Villas-Boas said. “But we still have Kyle Naughton and Kaboul coming back. And Zeki Fryers has done very well in preseason, Capoue can play central defense, so I think either way we are covered.”
Yet AVB didn’t rule out strengthening at the back before the transfer window slams shut, as full back Danny Rose came off injured and their other left back Benoît Assou-Ekotto is also out injured.
“We might, yeah. We might. But we haven’t decided yet bearing in mind Zeki Fryers’ progression.”
(MORE: Crystal Palace 0 – Tottenham Hotspur 1; Soldado’s penalty seals the win – Video)
However Spurs fans will be delighted, yet slightly nervous, at being linked with one of Europe’s most sought after attacking midfielders. Of course, that’s the same position that Gareth Bale plays in. Don’t panic. Willian is a slightly different player. Think of a mix between Bale and Aaron Lennon.
Willian is more of a creative hub than Bale’s driving influence. The Brazilian star gets on the ball and creates openings from deep with deft flicks, speed and an incredible range of passing. Anzhi are paying him ridiculous wages, and following a philosophy change from Russian owner Suleyman Kerimov, Willian, Samuel Eto’o and several other players will need to leave.
Tottenham could grab a bargain if they play this one right. But with Liverpool and clubs all over Europe monitoring Willian’s situations, Spurs will have to nip in fast to grab the former jewel in Shakhtar Donetsk’s crown.
But where would he play in their starting lineup? Out on the left perhaps, but my guess would be in the central attacking role. Gylfi Sigurdsson filled that spot on Sunday against Palace but failed to have any real influence on the game. The Icelandic international would be used better out wide, but Spurs have plenty of options there.
Bale, Lennon, Chadli, Andros Townsend, Sigurdsson… that’s a pretty strong core of attacking talent for AVB to choose from. But if Bale does leave for Real Madrid, Willian will be the new leading man at White Hart Lane.
Do they really need to add Willian over defensive reinforcements? I guess we’ll find out sooner rather than later.
