Tottenham boss Nuno’s transfer priority has changed because of Japhet Tanganga

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Japhet Tanganga’s performance in Tottenham’s 1-0 victory against Manchester City appears to have shifted Spurs’ transfer priorities. The 22-year-old was surprisingly deployed at right-back against Pep Guardiola’s City wizards, but the youngster stood firm against everything the Citizens had to offer.

It was a bold move by new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito-Santo, but his gamble paid off as Tanganga was equal to every challenge posed by the defending Premier League champions.

After a disappointing campaign last year and Toby Alderweireld’s move to Qatari side Al-Duhail, defence had been an area Spurs were looking to improve on.

Before the contest, Atalanta central defender Cristian Romero had already been added to Spurs’ defensive options.

The 23-year-old Argentine was signed for £42million, after an impressive season where he was crowned Serie A defender of the year, before playing a key role in Argentina’s Copa America triumph.

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While he will likely prove to be a strong option, Spurs believed Alderweireld’s move to the Middle East meant they were still lacking in the defensive areas.

It was a bold move by new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo, but his gamble paid off as Tanganga was equal to every challenge posed by the defending Premier League champions.

They were linked with Pau Torres of Villarreal where a £43m transfer fee from the North Londoners was accepted by the Europa League champions, According to journalist Pedro Sepulveda. 

However, the Spanish defender rejected the north Londoners advances as he wanted to play Champions League football with Unai Emery’s side.

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Spurs’ seventh-placed finish last season meant they only qualified for the new UEFA Conference League, while Villarreal’s Europa League triumph last season will see them go into the Champions League in Pot One of the draw.

Bologna’s defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was another defensive option the Lilywhites were interested in.

It was believed Spurs’ new director of football Fabio Paratici saw the Japanese star as a good partner for Romero, and thus was preparing a bid for the 22-year-old.

However, all interest looks to have ended since Tanganga’s performance against City. 

He was pitted against Raheem Sterling and £100m star Jack Grealish, as well as the marauding Benjamin Mendy from left-back.

Aside from a nervous start from the home side which saw City create three good chances, Spurs never looked like conceding.

While Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez also put in strong performances, it was Tanganga who won the hearts of the Spurs fans, who serenaded his substitution with chants of “Japhet Tanganga, he’s one of our own”.

While Nuno deployed the youngster at full-back, Tanganga has also proved to very adept at central defence as well as an inverted left-back.

He has made 13 Premier League appearances since being handed his debut by Jose Mourinho against Liverpool in January 2020 – and looks set to make even more now.

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