Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham tipped to back new boss with signings of Man City defender and England starter

Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo of Man City

Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo celebrate Man City goal

Gabby Agbonlahor feels Tottenham should go “straight in” for Manchester City man Aymeric Laporte alongside Jordan Pickford in the summer.

Tottenham have dropped off this season, after a promising ascent last term. Two seasons ago, they finished seventh in the Premier League – their worst finish since the 2008/09 season.

Last time out, in Antonio Conte’s first term in charge, they finished fourth.

As such, his reign promised to build the side back up and have them challenging at the top end of the table. Things panned out very differently to that expectation.

After suffering a few poor performances mid-way through this season, Conte unleashed a tirade on his players, calling them “selfish”.

That spelled the end of his tenure at the club, with his former assistant Cristian Stellini quickly being dismissed from his caretaker role not long after for a string of poor results.

Ryan Mason is currently in control in a caretaker capacity, until a suitable new boss can be hired.

With the side currently way off the pace in terms of the top-four race, Spurs might need to give the new boss the tools required to make some serious squad changes.

Agbonlaohor urges Spurs to snare Laporte

Former Premier League striker Agbonlahor feels that starts at the back, with the massive statement signing of Laporte.

“If I was Spurs, I’d go straight in for him,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s so strong, good on the ball, quick – and can score goals from set pieces. He’s a very good centre-half who would probably start for most teams in the top six. He walks into a lot of those sides.

“He has been very unlucky to lose his place at Man City.”

Indeed, Laporte has hardly featured for the league leaders this term. He’s played just nine times in the league, and a move seems very much on the cards, with a recent reporting stating City ‘won’t stand in his way’ should he decide to leave.

Pickford signing suggested for Spurs

Agbonlahor has highlighted the need for Spurs to improve at the back – only five sides have conceded more than them in the league this season – hence being urged to go after Laporte, along with a quality goalkeeper.

“Spurs need to upgrade their centre-backs, for sure. Laporte would be a no-brainer,” Agbonlahor added.

“Get him in alongside Jordan Pickford, and that would be a good start to their transfer window.”

Indeed, Hugo Lloris’ contract is up at the end of next season, and he’s been in line for criticism this term. As such, a quality goalkeeper coming in would certainly appear to be a step in the right direction.

Was a new manager to be given the backing to sign players of the quality mentioned by Agbonlahor, it’d show Tottenham are serious to improve, and it would make the boss’ job easier than it will be to start with.

READ MORE: Euro Paper Talk: Klopp turns to £35m Bundesliga midfielder to fill pivotal role; Chelsea, Tottenham sent packing in £44m keeper chase