Guillermo Maripan has been linked with a move to Newcastle United (Getty Images)
According to a report from Spanish publication AS (h/t Sky Sports), Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a summer swoop for AS Monaco defender Guillermo Maripan.
The 26-year-old Maripan started out at the academy of Chilean club UD Catolica. Having broken into the first-team in 2012, at the age of 18, the defender featured just 64 times over the next five years. In 2017, Spanish outfit Deportivo Alaves signed him up, for whom he went on to feature 48 times in two years.
Last summer saw Monaco sign him up from Alaves. And in his debut campaign for the French club, the Chilean has featured 24 times in all competitions, managing two goals in the process.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have endured a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, failing to build on their Champions League final run last time out. A torrid start to the season led to Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking in November last year. Jose Mourinho came in to replace the Argentine and started on a strong note, but the form dwindled prior to the season suspension.
As things stand, Spurs are 8th in the Premier League table, while having been dumped out of the Champions League and the domestic cup competitions as well. There are a number of areas that Mourinho should address in the summer transfer window, but none more important than a new backup striker and a central defender.
Indeed, Tottenham have been woeful in defence this season. Things haven’t improved even under Mourinho, who is known to build solid defensive outfits. So far in 2019/20, the Lilywhites have conceded 40 goals in the Premier League. This is the joint-worst defensive record in the top half of the league table. They have kept just two clean sheets since the turn of the year.
Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez, Juan Foyth and Eric Dier are the options available at Mourinho’s disposal currently, along with academy ace Japhet Tanganga. None of them has been consistent enough this term. Furthermore, Vertonghen’s contract is on the verge of expiry, while Foyth’s future at the club is also a subject of speculation.
Hence, it is imperative for the club to bring in a new centre-back in the summer. However, Maripan might not be the answer for their defensive woes.
The 26-year-old was a regular at the heart of the Monaco defence, missing just 6 Ligue 1 matches, but failed to help his team tighten things up at the back. The French club conceded 44 goals in their 28 Ligue 1 outings this term. Only three more teams shipped in more goals this season.
Going back to his time at Alaves, the La Liga side boasted a negative goal difference in both the seasons he was at the club. In both 2017/18 and 2018/19, they shipped in 50 goals.
In his 24 appearances for the Chilean national team, he has helped his side to only 8 clean sheets. Going by his past track record, it is hard to imagine Maripan would be helping solidify the wobbly Tottenham defence.
It goes without saying that Tottenham are in urgent need of defensive reinforcements. However, Maripan hardly seems like the right candidate for the job. The 26-year-old doesn’t have the experience of playing for a top club. In addition, Monaco’s defensive record this term with him in the side was nothing to write home about.
Tottenham need someone who can turn their defence into a solid unit. And signing Maripan would not address it.
