Wilson Odobert to already fear who Tottenham want to sign, Thomas Frank got a front row seat
Wilson Odobert has hardly set the Premier League alight since switching Turf Moor for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium two summers ago.
Tottenham drew 0-0 with Monaco on Wednesday, 22 October, with Guglielmo Vicario starring during an absolute onslaught from the Ligue 1 club throughout the 90 minutes in the Champions League.
Lucas Bergvall was surprisingly silent for Thomas Frank’s side, completing just six passes before being hooked on the hour mark, leaving the manager with plenty to think about ahead of the weekend.
Frank will need a much better performance if they are to claim three points in the Premier League on Sunday, 26 October, especially with Everton having a resurgent season under David Moyes.
One positive, however, will be that the Lilywhites got to see a live audition of one of their transfer targets.
Tottenham get to see a live audition of Maghnes Akliouche
During Spurs’ trip to Monaco, Frank got a front row seat to watch Maghnes Akliouche, who Football Insider understood back in August that Tottenham would see a £47.5million bid accepted.
Last season, the 23-year-old notched seven goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances, grabbing the attention of several European giants, and the Lilywhites are certainly one of them.
Based on his performance in the Champions League, it is really no surprise to see so many clubs keep tabs on his progression, having even won his first three caps for the France national team.
| Maghnes Akliouche vs Spurs | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Chances created (Big chances) | 1 (1) |
| Shots (On target) | 6 (2) |
| Successful dribbles | 100% (4/4) |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Ground duels won | 58% (7/12) |
Wilson Odobert is easily replaceable by Thomas Frank
While Akliouche is far more used to playing on the right flank, his left foot being his favoured one lends him to a switch of position, which would put Odobert at great risk in North London.
Of course, the current winger is only young, but after Spurs splashed £25million on him from a relegated Burnley side, three goals are not enough to keep his spot in the side.
Akliouche, while not Premier League proven, is one of the biggest rising stars in France, regularly featuring in European competitions, and continues to dazzle those interested in him.
If the Lilywhites are to make a move for his signature, they will need to do so very quickly, mainly due to the hype building around his playing style and abilities on the ball.
That would mean, however, that if Odobert is unable to get his numbers up and be far more consistent on the pitch, it would be his position that would be at stake following the talent’s arrival.