Not content with having two No.10s on the books, Tottenham Hotspur are after a third.
Injury to James Maddison in pre-season forced Spurs into the market. And having failed to sign Eberechi Eze, they managed to lure Xavi Simons to north London. The Dutchman was close to a move to Chelsea but the Blues never agreed a fee with RB Leipzig for the 22-year-old.
And Tottenham may now return to Germany in a bid to bring another creative star to the capital.
Can Uzun struggled for game time with Eintracht Frankfurt last season. The Turkish youngster was playing second fiddle to Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike. The pair, though, departed for Manchester City and Liverpool in January and July, respectively. Their exits, combined with Mario Gotze’s advancing years, paved the way for Uzun to make his mark.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Uzun thrives in tight spaces
The 20-year-old has taken his chance to consolidate a regular spot for Eintracht. Indeed, he has scored six goals and provided three assists in the Bundesliga this season. It’s worth noting, this is an Eintracht side that recently relieved Dino Toppmoller of his duties as head coach.
Even as the German giants sit seventh in the Bundesliga, this season hasn’t exactly been plain-sailing for the Eagles. Uzun, though, has done all he can to make the best of a relatively bad situation.
The Turkey international operates best in tight spaces. It’s in these areas in the final third where he can maximise his vision to pry apart defences. A return of 1.6 chances created per 90 minutes highlights his effectiveness when it comes to providing for teammates. Granted, three assists doesn’t make for great reading, though this is more down to his teammates’ profligacy.
How does Uzun compare to Simons?
Impressively still is that Uzun’s average of 1.6 chances created per 90 is better than that of Simons (1.1) in the Premier League this season. While this does serve to highlight Tottenham’s pragmatic gameplan under Thomas Frank, Uzun is more than capable of splitting backlines in half.
Progressively, too, Uzun outperforms Simons, though does so negligibly. The former is averaging 0.7 through balls per 90 in the Bundesliga this season. The latter, by comparison, is making 0.5.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. One of Tottenham’s major drawbacks this season is their inability to advance play from midfield. They have attempted the fewest through balls (14) in the Premier League this season. Their 7.9 chances created per 90 ranks 14th of the division’s 20 teams.
With the added ability to play in a deeper midfield role and as a second striker, Uzun would bring some much-needed flexibility to the side. The issue with Uzun is his lack of work off the ball.
Defensive work needs refinement
Tottenham are a team that rank top for tackles per 90 (19.7) in the Premier League this season. Frank demands his players work tirelessly out of possession. This is a downside to Uzun’s game, particularly compared to Simons. The Turkish creator may trump the Dutchman on the ball, but it’s the Tottenham man who outperforms the Eintracht youngster for defensive contribution.
Uzun is making 1.1 tackles and winning 3.8 ground duels per 90. Simons, meanwhile, is making 2.1 tackles and winning 5.1 ground duels per 90. The latter is making more ball recoveries per 90 (4.6) than the former (3.4) in their respective leagues this season. The out-of-possession shortcoming is an area that can be refined in time, however.
For a team in desperate need of a ball progressor, Uzun is the right profile in that he is a talented attacker and a player who can be developed accordingly. While he may need time to adjust to the rigours of Premier League football, the same was said of Simons when he moved to Spurs.
The Netherlands international looks more up to speed in England’s top tier after a rocky few months in London. Uzun would likely tread the same path. The Eintracht attacker is far from the finished product but the signs this season suggest he’s a player destined for big things.
Tottenham do not need another No.10 this month. That said, Uzun’s versatility means there is a very good reason why the capital side have been credited with an interest in the youngster. He could prove the solution to their deep lying attacking problems.
