Sami Khedira in action for Juventus in the Serie A. (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Tottenham are one of the clubs that Sami Khedira could join next. The Juventus man has been an outcast under Andrea Pirlo and his contract runs out in less than 6 months. Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also some of the Premier League clubs said to be in the running for his signature.
While Khedira may be a decorated player, his best days are past him. He can no longer provide the steel and control in midfield that he once used to provide. Yes, it would be a free transfer and Spurs would just have to bear his wages but it makes little sense to go for him.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has also severely lacked game time in recent months. Having not appeared in a single match for Juventus this season, Khedira’s match fitness and sharpness are up for debate. In fact, the 33-year-old started only 9 league games last season, and 10 the season before that.
Tottenham possess an array of players in the middle of the pitch. The London club deploy the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli to play in their three-man midfield.
Signing Khedira would just be overloading an already bloated squad. Tottenham have the solution to all their midfield problems already. Instead of gambling on an unbecoming midfielder who turns 34 this April, Mourinho can give more game time to Dele Alli and Harry Winks.
Oliver Skipp, a defensive midfielder loaned to Norwich from Spurs, also continues to impress. Incorporating young players into an already strong squad should be Mourinho’s game plan going forward. Moreover, all of Tottenham’s midfielders are in their mid-20s and don’t look like declining physically anytime soon.
While Sami Khedira has the experience playing for teams such as Germany, Juventus and Mourinho’s Real Madrid, he is on the wane. The midfielder turns 34 soon, and even a free transfer for him in the summer would still create a dent in Mourinho’s wage bill.
It would be wise of Tottenham to avoid pre-contract talks with Khedira. The club should look inside their stacked squad if they need any solutions in midfield.