Tottenham has been linked with a move for Stefan de Vrij following the appointment of Antonio Conte.
The Italian managed the Dutchman at Inter Milan last season and they won Serie A.
A reunion at Spurs could make the Lilywhites a stronger Premier League club.
Noel Whelan has given his vote of confidence to the move if Spurs are serious about signing him.
The former Leeds United striker believes the current Tottenham defence is far too nice to achieve anything and thinks the former Lazio man would make it more ruthless.
He is valued at £40million, according to Football Insider and Whelan tells the same outlet:
“They need that nastiness back, in my opinion.
“I would have loved to play against this Tottenham side in my day, I really would. They’re far too nice, too weak at the back.
“They have to enjoy defending, not so much the playing out from the back – they are a team who need clean sheets.”
“Leave the playing out from the back to the midfielders, like Hojbjerg. They can be the ones who drive into the opposition half and create something. You’ve got to remember where your lines are as a defender.
“They need a bit of steel at the back. If De Vrij can introduce that – then by all means, he is worth the transfer fee.”
The Boy Hotspur Says
Conte has two options to make lasting changes at Spurs. One is to make the current players better.
The other is to sign players who he knows can buy into his system and deliver fantastic performances straightaway.
Most Spurs’ defenders have failed to deliver under the last two managers and De Vrij might become the transformative influence in that position as Virgil van Dijk has been to Liverpool.
It remains to be seen if Spurs can strike a deal with Inter Milan for his signature in the next few transfer windows.