3 alternatives that Tottenham can consider for Morgan Gibbs-White

Eze had been aggressively linked with a move to Tottenham during the commencement of the ongoing summer transfer window, but the move didn’t materialise, and then there was all the news about Arsenal coming in for his signature, and given the fact that the Gunners are his boyhood club and he would always prefer a move to N5, Tottenham decided to look elsewhere. But given the significant investment that Arsenal has been making everywhere, given that they have made six signings already this window, there is an understanding that they might have to make significant sales before dipping into the market for incomings again. And this is where Levy can take advantage and fortify interest in securing the England international’s signatures.

While many regard the Crystal Palace star as a luxury player, he is not quite that: I think that is only a misunderstanding given that he is more of a system unlocker who has the capacity to bring a sense of unpredictability to the current system, complemented by his excellent abilities with the ball at his feet. The thing about Eze is that while he loves to go on his adventurous dribbles, he doesn’t just glide past his marking men; instead, he tries to draw them in before he manipulates the spaces at his disposal and then shifts his markers (and opponents’ system) out of shape. And when the North Londoners do face a hybrid mid-low block, the Englishman goes on to create chaos without compromising positionally.

Eze knows (more like has that intellect) to operate fluidly between the No. 8 and No. 10 roles, and given how the Australian head coach moves his midfielders to float, Eze would come as an ideal option. But it’s not just all flair; he complements his highlight reels with goal-scoring abilities, and you could see that in his goal-scoring record with 12 goals and 11 assists this season.

Under Frank, he can swap these #8 and #10 zones and get the best out of the system, especially when in attacking transitional situations.

Harvey Elliott

Elliott is another interesting name on the list, given his abilities to manipulate spaces and structures, especially when given time in half spaces (his ability in that right half space is as good as it gets). The Fulham academy graduate is capable of playing in a system-first framework, and this is where the Lilywhites and Daniel Levy can explore the possibility of taking advantage of his current situation at Anfield Stadium.

Given his current situation at L4, if Tottenham does secure his signature, he will be more of an under-the-radar pick, but he has massive upside given that he brings you that highly technical, press-resistant presence in the middle of the park, and he does have the ability to be a creative ball-progressor.

He will be a natural fit in the right-sided half space, either wide or inside, and his high pressing IQ will make him an ideal fit under Thomas Frank, who is looking to build a proactive Lilywhites rooster.

James McAtee

Tottenham can continue following the ‘buy them young’ transfer policy that we have seen Daniel Levy adapt to lately if the North Londoners opt for James McAtee. The Man City academy graduate has shown his brilliance in the limited opportunities that he has had for Pep Guardiola’s side, and given how we have seen Cole Palmer succeed at Chelsea, McAtee & Tottenham can create a similarly mutually beneficial partnership if he does end up in N17.

The interesting thing about him is that he has also been looked at by Nottingham Forest as a Morgan Gibbs-White replacement.

McAtee has that final third run in him, and he is also very composed when it comes to ball-carrying ability, complemented by the vision that he has, especially in transitional situations. And McAtee is a true Thomas Frank-style midfielder given the verticality that he brings to the side but also considering how we have seen him thrive in offensive transitions. And he is still under the radar, given how he has not yet hit his stride for the first team at City just yet, and next summer might be too late.