Micah Richards believes Radu Dragusin could even play in central midfield for Tottenham Hotspur.
Three big points returned to north London after Ange Postecoglou’s side completed their rout at Villa Park on Sunday.
One player who played a big role in that victory was Radu Dragusin who came off the bench to replace the injured Micky van de Ven.
Radu Dragusin Tottenham appearances
After a difficult couple of months of little action since joining the north London side, Dragusin finally got some good minutes off the bench.
He has still not started a game for the Lilywhites, however, the game at Villa Park offered him his biggest opportunity to date.
With Van de Ven going down injured early inside the second half, Dragusin played almost a full half of Premier League football.
And speaking on The Rest is Football, Richards hailed the Romanian for how comfortable he looked on the ball. He said: “It’s difficult coming into a system where you have to be exposed to the high line. I think the old school defenders, we like to sit deep with people in front of us and sort of communicate from the back and you would defend your box as it were, that was when you would come into play.
“But they’ve got to do so much more now. Whether it’s on the ball building up, having a high line being able to run back in position also while having to track runners and defend your box. So I thought he had a really good game. He can play a little bit in midfield as well. So yeah, really good addition for them.”
Tottenham’s strength in depth
Having rejected the likes of Bayern Munich and Napoli to join Postecoglou’s side, there may have been some early concerns over his lack of game time.
His own mother even called for patience over her son as he settled in to a new country and league.
But now it seems like the game against Fulham on the weekend could be his first start for the Lilywhites.
The extent of Van de Ven’s injury is not yet known, however, when he does return a midfield transition for Dragusin feels unlikely.
Postecoglou has a plethora of options in the middle of the park which has seen the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reduced to the bench.
But those comments only go to show how comfortable the Romanian is on the ball.
Spurs have needed quality options off the bench for a long time now and it feels like they are finally providing their manager just that.
Injuries have been a real issue this season – and are still proving to be – but having the likes of Dragusin at Postecoglou’s disposal is a huge boost.