Jay Bothroyd has suggested that he was surprised that one Tottenham Hotspur player did not play more this past season, and believes that he has an opportunity to catch Ange Postecoglou’s eye at Euro 2024.
Tottenham showed a lot of promise in their first season under the Australian, but their performance in the second-half of the campaign showed that they remain a work in progress. However, there is no question that there is a lot of potential within the ranks.
One player Tottenham fans are yet to see the best of is Radu Dragusin, with the Romanian only joining in the January transfer window, signing for £25 million from Genoa.
Dragusin completed 90 minutes just four times in the Premier League as he largely struggled to dislodge the pairing of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
Pundit surprised Radu Dragusin didn’t play for Tottenham more
Dragusin impressed in his first proper appearance at Aston Villa, and the 22-year-old was able to show some promise when he subsequently featured.
Interestingly, Jay Bothroyd has now told The Optus Sport Football Podcast that Dragusin has a really bright future ahead, and he actually thought that he should have played even more.
“I liked him when he played; Micky van de Ven went left-back, he stepped in, aggressive player, young player, looks pretty composed on the ball, but I thought he was quite good,” he said.
“And I was surprised that he didn’t play more for Tottenham if I’m honest, especially when they had all those injuries and suspensions, I’m surprised he didn’t play more. But I think he’s someone who’s going to be key for them, and this is a tournament where, if he goes and does well, he could give Ange a problem as to if he’s starting and having Micky van de Ven at left-back next season.”
Centre-back already being linked with surprise exit
Dragusin would have likely known that he was going to have a job on his hands to claim a place in the Tottenham team. Micky van de Ven was one of the most outstanding defenders in the Premier League last year, while Romero is the co-vice-captain.
Nevertheless, it appears that there is an outside chance that the Romanian’s stay in North London could be brief, with Antonio Conte keen to sign Dragusin for Napoli.
Surely Tottenham will not allow the centre-back to leave in this window unless they are presented with the chance to make a huge profit, and Dragusin makes it clear that he wishes to return to Serie A.
Like many of Tottenham’s recent signings, Dragusin was clearly brought in with one eye on the future – and he will be aware of that fact.
It is difficult to rule anything out in the summer transfer window, but it would be a surprise if Dragusin was given the green light to leave in the coming months.