HEven with the addition of Timo Werner to the squad this month, you would be hard-pressed to find a Tottenham supporter who believes another forward will be a priority in January. Many believed that Spurs would target another central midfielder before the transfer window closed, with new centre-back Radu Dragusin also on the cards.
But when you need a deal to sign one of Europe's most promising young wingers, you can't just wait around. Reports last week suggested Spurs were close to agreeing a deal with Belgian side Club Brugge for teenage sensation Antonio Nusa. The Norway international is wanted by Chelsea, who rejected a deadline-day offer for the 18-year-old in the summer.
The Blues are likely to make another bid for the player, but Spurs appear to be the frontrunners to secure his services. The deal is expected to see Nusa remain in Belgium for the remainder of the season, but will undoubtedly be a favorable deal for the north London side in the long term. One of the main reasons Spurs are looking to make a deal this month is because they fear missing out on the chance to sign the 'Norwegian Neymar' in the future.
This nickname is definitely justified, with Nusa ranking first in dribbles per 90 (5.1) in the 2023-24 Belgian professional campaign. The truth is, Spurs have been without a player of Nusa's skill on the left wing for quite some time. Yes, manager Ange Postecoglou has two good forwards in place, with Son Heung-min and now Werner on the left, but the pair play with their backs to the last defender's shoulders. Suitable for , maximizing speed off the ball and providing a penetrating goal threat from opponents. wide.
Nusa is a player who dominates the touchline and extends play. He will continue to run out wide as an outlet before holding the ball and moving forward when picked on by his team-mates. The sound of seats bouncing up as fans stand up as Nusa look to take down an opponent could become a regular feature at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if the club signs the player.
More importantly, Nusa does not have a priority leg. His right foot is definitely stronger than his left, and the teenage winger prefers to cut infield, but his two-footed nature makes him even more unpredictable around him. The markers tie themselves in knots to keep the Nusa at bay.
Nusa's 5.1 successful dribbles per 90 minutes is the most in the Belgian top flight, but his 49.4% success rate highlights areas in his game that need improvement. On the contrary, considering his age, Nusa is just a boy playing a man's game. He can smooth out the rough edges with the right coaching.
That doesn't mean Nusa's lack of experience is hurting his decision-making. Three goals and two assists may not be impressive, but it's not a huge feat for a player who has only played 710 minutes in the league this season. That would be a direct involvement in every one of his 142 minutes of game time. In fact, the profligacy of his teammates is the reason for his poor assist returns. Nusa has completed an average of 2.2 key passes per 90 attempts, ranking him among the top 25 players in Belgium's top tier this season. He can create passing opportunities for his teammates when he beats his marker.
But what really stands out at Nusa is not only their quality on the ball, but also their hard work without it. Wingers have a habit of establishing themselves as high-class players. When the going gets tough, they don't move forward. In this case, Nusa is the exception to the rule.
Of the 273 players who have played at least 10 games in the Pro League this season, Nusa ranks 11th in the frequency of winning the ball in the attacking third, once every 70.7 minutes. Given that Spurs have won possession 135 times in the attacking third, which ranks them third for the club in the Premier League this season, this industrious side to Nusa's game will look to force turnovers in high positions. This is a desirable trait for a team led by coach Postecoglou. pitch.
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The youngster looks like the perfect winger for Spurs' postecoglou. It is impossible to chart a player's path to success, but Nusa's ceiling is incredibly high and in the right environment, there is little that will prevent him from realizing his immense potential. If the Spurs can get this deal over the line, it would be a sensational coup.
