GENOA, ITALY - DECEMBER 06: Franck Kessie of AC Milan scores their sides first goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between UC Sampdoria and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 06, 2020 in Genoa, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato (h/t Daily Mail), Tottenham are looking to bring in Franck Kessie from AC Milan. The midfielder, whose contract expires in 2022, is valued at £45million. AC Milan, though, are trying to tie down the player to fresh terms by handing him a new contract. It is also reported that Spurs’ rivals Arsenal are also in the race to sign Kessie.
Franck Kessie started his footballing journey at Stella Club in Ivory Coast before moving to Atalanta in January 2015. He started his professional career on loan at Cesena in the Serie B before establishing himself as a first-team player at Atalanta in the following campaign.
The 23-year-old scored 7 times in 31 appearances across all competitions over the course of an impressive debut season in Bergamo. Kessie’s meteoric rise in the Serie A paved the way for a loan move to AC Milan in 2017. He eventually joined the Rossoneri on a permanent deal in 2019.
Kessie has evolved into a key component of Milan’s midfield over the past few years, accumulating 20 goals and 12 assists in 151 appearances across all competitions. A full international for Ivory Coast since 2014, Kessie has collected 44 caps for his nation. He has represented the Elephants at the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
During the summer, Tottenham signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for a £15million and with half the season almost done, it has turned out to be one of the best bargain buys of the summer.
The former Southampton midfielder has been ever present for Spurs and has helped them build a title challenge this season. He has quietly gone about his work while everyone has praised the likes of Kane and Son.
His midfield partner Moussa Sissoko has played an equal part in that. The energetic Frenchman keeps Spurs ticking with his relentless pressing and running. He has been an important part of the club in the four and a half seasons he has been there. However, he will be 32 next season and the club would need a fresh pair of legs to take his place.
In Franck Kessie, they will get that and even more. The AC Milan star is a powerhouse of a midfielder. Strong and sharp, the Ivorian international has the versatility to switch between box-to-box and defensive roles in midfield. Hence, a potential deal for him would add a lot more depth and quality to Tottenham’s ranks.
Kessie is a tireless worker who excels with his contribution at both ends of the pitch. The 23-year-old also has a knack for chipping in with goals and assists from a deep position in the midfield, as testified by his track record at AC Milan. Those qualities should make him a perfect fit for Mourinho’s system while helping Spurs adjust to life after Sissoko.
It is clear from the above discussion that a dynamic midfielder like Franck Kessie would be a useful addition to Spurs. The Ivorian still has his best years ahead of him at 23, meaning that he would be an excellent long-term signing for the London based club. With Hojbjerg and Kessie running the midfield for them, they would be unstoppable.