Tottenham face severe competition from Europan rivals for Eredivisie defensive lynchpin

But it’s no coincidence that Tottenham’s most complete performance since the turn of the year came when the majority of their key players were finally fit and available. The Lilywhites have endured a gruelling run of injuries this season, particularly in defense, which has heavily impacted their consistency and results. The prolonged absences of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario have left significant gaps that Ange Postecoglou has struggled to fill.

Without a stable backline, Spurs have found it difficult to maintain shape, composure, and confidence — all of which are critical in high-pressure fixtures. The return of key defensive figures has clearly made a difference, providing much-needed balance and security at the back. As Tottenham prepare for the all-important second leg against Frankfurt, the restored fitness of their spine could prove decisive in turning their European hopes into reality.

Tottenham want to bring in David Hancko

Tottenham are heading into a pivotal summer that could define the trajectory of the club under Ange Postecoglou. With a major squad overhaul on the horizon, the Lilywhites must be smart in the market — avoiding the pitfalls of past windows that saw overspending on high-risk players with limited returns. If Spurs are serious about challenging for silverware next season, they need to target proven, reliable options who can slot into the system seamlessly.

According to Football Insider, one such player is Feyenoord centre-back Dávid Hancko. The 27-year-old Slovakian international has emerged as a top target for Spurs, with the club reportedly identifying him as the ideal successor to Cristian Romero, who is increasingly likely to leave N17 this summer. Hancko’s composure, ball-playing ability, and positional intelligence make him a strong fit for Postecoglou’s style of play. However, Tottenham won’t have a clear path, interest from multiple European clubs means they’ll need to move quickly and decisively to secure his signature.

The Feyenoord No.33 has garnered interest from Chelsea, Juventus, Everton and Atletico Madrid for a transfer in the summer, so Spurs will have to move quickly if they want to land Hancko. Everton are leading the race for now as they plan to replace Jarrad Branthwaite, but if Spurs win the Europa League, then it will prove to be a major factor in the transfer race.

A good fit for Tottenham?

Hancko has been impressive during his tenure at Feyenoord. The Slovakia international won the Eredivisie in his first season at the club under Arne Slot and was a key player during the title run. The centre-back has been a regular at the back and has been one of the key players for the Dutch side this season as well.

As per Sofascore, Hancko has played 41 games in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists. The centre-back has an 89.7% passing accuracy as well this season and has managed to keep nine clean sheets. The Feyenoord No.33 has won a staggering 57 aerial duels and has made 43 interceptions.

So, will David Hancko fit in at Tottenham? The answer is yes. The 27-year-old is a proper modern-day centre-back with the ability to play out from the back. The Slovakian defender tends to create chances from the deep and is a progressive carrier of the ball. He will fit perfectly into Ange Postecoglou’s system. Hancko’s aerial threat is also exceptional, and he can be a constant goal threat from the back.