Tottenham Hotspur have shifted their focus on Manchester United academy graduate James Garner, according to the Express.
It looks like Spurs have had enough with their pursuit of stand-in Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher. The Lilywhites showed interest in the talented Englishman both in the summer and in January, but a transfer never materialized.
The North Londoners have now decided to shift their attention and focus on Everton midfielder Garner. It just so happens that the 22-year-old happens to be a Manchester United academy graduate.
Having progressed through the ranks at Carrington, Garner did not get a realistic chance of breaking through at Old Trafford and like most of their academy graduates, he chose to join Everton in search of regular game time. It is safe to say that the move has proven to be beneficial.
Industry over guile?
Spurs need to be very clear on what to expect from a signing like Garner. They will get a talented, young, hard-working midfielder who would contribute immensely to both attack and defence. If that’s the profile Postecoglou is looking for, well and good.
That said, if Tottenham want someone who can play deep in midfield and ping line-breaking passes, Garner might not be the answer. He is more ‘industry’ than ‘flair’ and ‘guile’. This isn’t to say that he doesn’t have the potential to make it at the topmost level.
Let’s put it this way. James Garner is more a “Sean Dyche” player than an “Ange Postecoglou” player and Spurs need to make sure that they invest right. Whilst the talent is obvious, Garner might be too similar to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a player the manager doesn’t seem to fancy.
Gallagher is different though as he brings something completely different to the table. The Chelsea man does not stop running on a football pitch and there usually isn’t a single blade of grass that he hasn’t covered at the end of the game.
If it were a tossup between the two names, our money would be on Gallagher. They play in different positions though and the Blues midfielder is surely more attack minded than Garner. Thus, it might not be a fair comparison.
Ultimately, the call must be left to Ange Postecoglou. The Australian tactician knows better than anyone else what kind of profile he wants in his team. If he thinks Garner is the answer, then so be it.
