Strasbourg's French defender Mohamed Simakan celebrates after his teammate scored a goal during the UEFA Europa League preliminary round football match between Strasbourg and Lokomotiv Plovdiv, at the Meinau Stadium in Strasbourg last year. (Getty Images)
According to French outlet RMC Sport (h/t Football.London), Tottenham Hotspur are planning a summer move for Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
The 19-year-old Simakan broke into the first-team this season after signing for Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg in May 2018. The teenager has turned a few heads after his solid displays at the back for Strasbourg that saw him earn 25 caps this season.
Simakan also has 7 clean sheets to his name, giving an indication of the talent that he is. Predominantly a centre-back, the young defender has mostly been deployed as a right-back by coach Thierry Laurey.
Simakan, who has made good use of his opportunities, has now seen the likes of clubs such as Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan lining up for his signature.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham have endured a difficult spell in the league this season. Their defensive struggles have seen the North London side slip to 8th place in the league this season.
A weak and inconsistent Spurs defence have conceded 40 goals from 29 league games, forcing Mourinho to look for new options at the back. Tottenham alongside Burnley has the worst defensive record among the top-10 teams in the league this term.
Mourinho’s side will suffer badly next season if their current form continues and are targeting new faces who can help strengthen their defence.
Teenage talent Simakan is one such player, who has impressed Spurs not just due to his standout displays at the back but also due to his versatility. In his maiden season with Strasbourg, Simakan has stood out in defence, playing 10 times as a right-back and 7 as a centre-back.
Meanwhile, Simakan’s flexibility to function in many areas in the defence could be handy for Mourinho, who is in need of a centre-back and right-back. With veteran defender Jan Vertonghen’s contract set to expire this summer and the player having not initiated a new contract extension, roping in the young Frenchman seems like a safe option.
Also, Simakan’s versatility can solve their right-back conundrum, with Mourinho still unimpressed by first-choice man Serge Aurier. They just have Aurier right now after Mourinho sent young full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on loan to Southampton in January. Considering all this, Tottenham should soon make move for this versatile defender to solve their issues at the back at least next season.
Tottenham’s struggles at the back have been clearly evident from their displays this season and a young addition like Simakan will only make them stronger. The French teenager can be a good future investment and will offer plenty of options at the back for Mourinho if they succeed in bringing him to London.
