Why Tottenham must make a move for OGC Nice full-back Youcef Atal

According to German outlet Bild (h/t The Express), Tottenham are believed to be interested in making five new signings this summer, as Jose Mourinho plans a rebuild. Youcef Atal, Jamal Lewis, Marcel Sabitzer, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Eder Militao are all said to be being lined up by the North London club.

Speaking about Youcef Atal, the 23-year-old joined OGC Nice in summer 2018 from Belgian club Kortrijk after he had left Algerian side Paradou – where he made his senior club bow. The full-back has made just 13 league appearances for OGC Nice this season as he picked up a serious injury and underwent knee surgery back in December.

Atal had a solid 2018/19 season with OGC Nice under manager Patrick Vieira, racking up six goals and one assist in 29 games. He made his first international appearance for Algeria against Guinea in June 2017 and has become a regular for the Desert Foxes.

Capped 18 times, the full-back helped his country to their second Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt last July. With the Algerian impressing for Nice since arriving at the club, Tottenham must definitely consider making a move for him this summer.

Spurs have struggled under two different managers and currently sit 8th in the Premier League table. They have had a downward slide after making the Champions League final last term. An injection of fresh blood is clearly needed at as things have not quite worked out under Mourinho, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019.

One of the areas where Tottenham have struggled is the defence, conceding 40 goals in 29 games. Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez have been inconsistent at the back this term. In addition to a centre-back, Mourinho’s side needs a new right-back.

Since arriving at the club from Paris Saint-Germain, Serge Aurier’s career in North London has been littered with high-profile mistakes and howlers. Kyle Walker-Peters was shipped out on loan to Southampton in January, while Japhet Tanganga has emerged as a future prospect. Thus, recruiting a right-back is vital for Tottenham and Atal would be a good fit for the London club.

Although Atal has mainly played at right-back, he is more than capable of operating on either side of the back four. He can also play further forward, on either wing. This versatility would make him a valuable asset for Tottenham.

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The Algerian international has the potential to perform well in the Premier League and should be a solid addition to Tottenham if he is able to replicate the same form he has shown at Nice. He would be a good option to add strength as well as competition to the right-back position. Atal is an exciting full-back and only 23 years old, so he has plenty of room to develop his game.

Verdict

Tottenham need to get back to their best and have to bring in defensive reinforcements during the summer transfer window. Addressing the right-back area is a must and thus, Spurs must make a move for Atal.