Pundit tips two Tottenham stars for exit as January signing lined up – ‘Antonio Conte will be desperate’
Noel Whelan has insisted Tottenham can challenge for the title if they improve their defence in the coming transfer windows.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez are “not good enough” and should be moved on.
Tottenham conceded the first goal for the sixth consecutive game against Brentford on Boxing Day (26 December) but fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point.
The defensive displays of Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga were largely ridiculed by fans and pundits alike – with the latter hooked by Antonio Conte at half-time.
World Cup winner Cristian Romero is expected to return to the line-up when Tottenham face Aston Villa on Sunday (1 January).
Sources told this site earlier this month (10 December) that Conte’s side have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij – who played under the Italian at San Siro.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t think they need forward players, and the midfield looks happy.
“The question mark has always been at the back. The centre-backs, the wing-backs – this is where the conversation is.
“We know they’ve got brilliant attackers, but they’re leaking goals.
“If they had a solid defence, they could probably be up there challenging for the title.
“I think Conte will be desperate to bolster that area. Tanganga has had opportunities but he’s not good enough, Davinson Sanchez is the same – I think they need replacing.
“Ivan Toney terrorised them.
“The only way they can improve is by getting that defence sorted.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Tottenham ready to sell first-team star after training ground bust-up.