Why Mauricio Pochettino should make a move for Hector Herrera
According to Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a bid for Porto midfielder Hector Herrera in the January transfer window. Pochettino did not sign new players in the summer but the manager should look to bolster the squad once the window reopens.
Herrera moved to Porto in 2013 from Pachuca and has made 197 appearances for the club across all competitions, contributing with 27 goals. During his time at the club, the 28-year-old has established himself as one of the biggest names in the Portuguese League.
The Porto man was an integral part of the Mexican team that reached the Round of 16 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Truth be told, Tottenham’s interest in Hector Herrera does not come as a surprise and he could be an ideal replacement for the struggling Mousa Dembele. The Belgian has not been at his best this season and has failed to provide that much-needed stability to the midfield. He has often looked fatigued and he visibly seemed to run out of gas in the 2-1 defeat to Watford last weekend.
As The Express puts it down, Mousa Dembele is in the last year of his current contract. However, he wants a long-term deal which Spurs are unwilling to negotiate (h/t The Express). Dembele’s body has moaned and groaned on several occasions over his eight seasons in English top-flight.
Even if he stays for another season, Spurs must realize the fact that Dembele is well past his prime. At 31, there is not much football left in him and he isn’t going to get any better.
Spurs need someone who can provide energy to the central midfield and has the ability to dictate the tempo of the game. And Hector Herrera should be the perfect addition to the squad. The Mexican has shown the versatility to play as a central midfielder and can drop deeper to play as a sweeper for the back four.
The Mexican’s game is defined by power, energy and strength. Herrera is not one of those midfielders who is blessed with flair and dribbling skills and his style of play may not be very aesthetic. Although he tends to look sluggish on occasions, he is effective in his position.
Herrera can be described as a classic box-to-box midfielder who is adept at halting advances from opposing players and creating opportunities by either distributing the ball or shooting on goal. He is also known for his pace and dynamism, as well as being capable of breaking up opposition attacks with his tough tackling and starting his team’s own forays forward with his sharp distribution and tireless running.
The Mexican is certainly a lot fitter and stronger than Dembele and should be the perfect man to take up the No.6 role. Irrespective of what the future holds, Pochettino should strengthen his midfield options by making a move to sign Herrera.
