Spurs eyeing dream Gallagher partner who's like Mousa Dembele

spurs eyeing dream gallagher partner who's like mousa dembele

Spurs eyeing dream Gallagher partner who's like Mousa Dembele

Another Premier League season is now at a close, with attention at Tottenham Hotspur no doubt shifting toward what could well be another hectic summer of recruitment.

While former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has left his post at rivals Chelsea following a mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge, the hope will be that for Ange Postecoglou, this is merely the beginning rather than the end of what could be a fruitful partnership.

Having guided the club to fifth in his first full season in charge, the ex-Celtic man will be seeking additional reinforcements ahead of next term, with rumours already rife regarding just who will be heading down to N17 over the coming months...

Spurs' search for a midfielder

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Lilywhites are seemingly preparing to lodge a bid to poach Blues skipper Conor Gallagher from their west London rivals, with the Englishman heavily linked with a departure from his current side, with just a year left to run on his existing deal.

As per the piece, however, the 24-year-old may not be the only English-based midfield talent that Tottenham have their eye on, with Postecoglou and co also believed to be among the clubs vying to sign Stoke City star, Wouter Burger.

The suggestion is that the Dutchman - who joined the Potters on a £4.3m deal from Basel last year - could be available for a fee of around £12m, making him a dream bargain addition for any top-flight outfit.

Why Spurs should move for Wouter Burger

Hailed as a "leader" by Stoke boss Steven Schumacher, the 23-year-old enjoyed a promising first season in English football following his arrival last summer, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 39 Championship outings.

Tipped to "certainly be a Premier League player" in the near future by Stoke podcaster Ben Rowley, the former Netherlands U21 international has received notable backing in recent times, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even making the comparison between himself and a certain Mousa Dembele in the past.

That likeness to the former Spurs star - whom Pochettino lauded as a "genius" during his time at the helm in north London - can be seen by the fact that not only are they predominantly left-footed, but they also boast a towering and imposing frame, Dembele standing at 6 foot 1 while Burger is an impressive 6 foot 3.

The pair also seemingly hold a similarity in their playing style, due to their ability to combine a tough-tackling, powerful manner, with an elegance and calmness in possession.

Mousa Dembele v Wouter Burger - League stats

Stat

Dembele (2016/17)

Burger (2023/24)

Games

30

39

Goals

1

3

Assists

1

4

Big chances created

0

7

Key passes per game

0.8

0.9

Pass accuracy

92%

77%

Tackles per game

2.1

2.9

Total duels won

55%

55%

Stats via Sofascore

That can notably be seen above, with Dembele's heroics in the 2016/17 season - in which Spurs finished second in the league - seeing him average 2.1 tackles per game and average 0.8 key passes per game, while Burger is just ahead in 23/24 with 2.6 and 0.9 for those same two metrics, respectively.

If the one-time Feyenoord gem can get anywhere close to emulating the impact of the gifted Belgian in north London then Postecoglou would be in for a treat, with there perhaps a desire to slot Burger in alongside the more attack-minded Gallagher.

The latter man could offer that more "box-to-box" presence - as has been noted by writer Zach Lowy - with the stability of Burger behind him, the former Crystal Palace loanee able to impact proceedings in the final third having registered 16 goals and assists this season in all competitions.

Burger's creative prowess could also help to pick out Gallagher in key attacking positions, evidenced by the in-demand talent's seven 'big chances' created in the second tier in 2023/24.

Of course, Spurs supporters may be hoping to acquire more high-profile targets this summer ahead of their return to European competition, yet the prospect of landing the 'next Dembele' to partner Gallagher could prove too good to ignore.

Related

Spurs "looking at" signing 30m Werner upgrade who was at Chelsea

The gifted winger could be the perfect replacement for the German.

OTHER NEWS

18 minutes ago

Serbia exit Euros frustrated at what might have been

18 minutes ago

Singaporean households can now redeem $300 CDC vouchers

18 minutes ago

Rivian soars after new joint venture partner Volkswagen invests $5B

18 minutes ago

Orchard Road fatal brawl: Man who punched, kicked victim jailed over 12 months

19 minutes ago

Video: Jessica Alba shows off her fit figure in athleisure wear in Beverly Hills - as her film Trigger Warning leads Netflix top 10

19 minutes ago

Video: Jackie O Henderson gets 'busted on camera' checking out a young guy in Greece during fun European holiday with her best friend Gemma

19 minutes ago

Video: Dramatic court scenes as Jocelyn Nungaray's family hear how she fought with her dying breath 'as migrants raped her'

19 minutes ago

Thousands of DNC protesters expected, raising questions about security, neighborhood impact

22 minutes ago

NYC building’s quirky signs could be painted over with trendy Fendi ads: ‘An architectural crime’

22 minutes ago

Swimmers warned of more life-threatening rip currents along US beaches after multiple deaths

23 minutes ago

Stellantis may cease production at Ellesmere Port and Luton without more EV help

23 minutes ago

‘I don’t think I’ve lost a step’ — Kyle Van Noy ready to build on his career year in Baltimore

23 minutes ago

Today on Pinstripe Alley - 6/25/24

23 minutes ago

Julian Assange plea deal criticised, celebrated by US political world

23 minutes ago

Miami Dolphins not offering Tua Tagovailoa “market value” contract

24 minutes ago

Mobile detection cameras will catch NSW drivers who don’t wear seatbelts from July 1

24 minutes ago

‘The beauty of ordinary life’: Julian Assange’s father hopes freed son finds peace

24 minutes ago

Gareth Southgate hits out at ‘unusual environment’ around England team at Euro 2024

24 minutes ago

NFL, Hallmark team up for a Chiefs Christmas love story

25 minutes ago

Morgan Stanley's Wilson Says the Market Makes Sense

25 minutes ago

Ravens coach John Harbaugh shares his excitement about OT Ronnie Stanley

25 minutes ago

Vikings defensive line rated among 5 worst in NFL

25 minutes ago

Three weeks after a landslide, Wyoming will reopen a highway critical for commuters

25 minutes ago

Lions defensive line ranked top 5 in NFL

25 minutes ago

Build the Ultimate Passive-Income Portfolio With Just $10,000

25 minutes ago

Everything You Need To Know about the Benefits and Uses of Palo Santo

25 minutes ago

Why Labour’s electric car crusade risks crushing Britain’s auto industry

25 minutes ago

Blue Jays’ Guerrero Jr. softens stance on possibly playing for Yankees

25 minutes ago

Commanders move former Super Bowl MVP back into personnel role

25 minutes ago

2 REITs on My Radar as Interest Rates Drop

25 minutes ago

Investors should stay in high-quality names, says Charles Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders

25 minutes ago

Failure to get best version of Phil Foden is England’s fundamental flaw

25 minutes ago

Nobel prize economists warn a Trump win will lead to even higher inflation

25 minutes ago

Declan Rice defiant as England look to press on against Slovenia

25 minutes ago

Video: Netherlands 2-3 Austria: Marcel Sabitzer's winner sees Ralf Rangnick's side edge Euro 2024 five-goal thriller - with beaten Oranje now on a collision course with England in the last 16

25 minutes ago

Former ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Actor Jay Johnston Will Plead Guilty To Federal Charges Over January 6 Capitol Siege – Update

25 minutes ago

Scarlett Johansson Teases “Incredible” ‘Jurassic World 4’ Script & Says She’s Wanted To Join The Franchise For Over 10 Years

25 minutes ago

Manitobans shopping in the U.S.: Experts say it’s not as good a deal as before

25 minutes ago

Ford government didn’t need to close science centre, firm that designed it says

25 minutes ago

Haisla Nation signs off on multi-billion-dollar Cedar LNG plant for B.C. coast