210 Clearances, Averages 2.5 Interceptions Per Game: Why Tottenham Should Be Looking To Sign This Ligue 1 Centre-Back

Manchester City have played Tottenham twice this season now, and between the two games City have scored 11 goals. Manuel Pellegrini has his side firing brilliantly this season and their 5-1 win over Spurs took them top of the Premier League table above Arsenal, who dropped points at Southampton on Tuesday night. It's the Spurs defence that worried me though, and I feel they could do with a pacey centre-half to come in and give Tim Sherwood another option. I have a name in mind, too.

Papy Djilobodji, who I will refer to as Papy in this article, has the ability to come in and steady the ship in my eyes. You may not have heard of him, but I can assure you he is a perfect fit for the White Hart Lane outfit.

The 25-year-old has played 21 games so far this season for Nantes in Ligue 1, and remarkably he's picked up three goals and an assist. It's not his attacking facility that has caught attention though, as he is as solid as they come in defence.

He has made 210 clearances this season in the league, has averaged 2.5 interceptions per game and has 39 tackles to his name. He's also made 14 block.

He is a powerful defender but is considerably quicker that anything that Spurs currently have and that's another major reason I would suggest they make a move.

If a move was to happen though they would need to move quickly.

stats via Who Scored

Comments

[TommyHarmer]

Yes, and then there's the small matter of the two centre backs that Spurs have on the point of returning from injury, one of whom is a regular in the French side, the other in the Belgian ...... all makes perfect sense to me. Dawson is slow and inadequate against fast play, but he would currently be fourth choice. Chiriches has come in and done a good job, and I doubt someone playing for Nantes will do better despite the 'evidence' of a few stats ......... Dawson does loads of interceptions and clearances; the interceptions are necessary because he gets caught often, and the clearances are generally long and aimless.