In January, Tottenham managed to fend off stiff competition from Bayern Munich to secure the services of Romanian central defender, Radu Dragusin, from Italian Serie A side, Genoa. Dragusin, who can also play at right back, has since struggled for game time under Ange Postecoglou.
In total, he’s made just nine appearances in a Tottenham jersey, less than half the amount of games he played for Genoa in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign.
One of the greats in Romanian football, Ionel Ganea, spoke out in the press suggesting that Dragusin’s career would’ve been better served at the Allianz Arena.
Furthermore, reports coming out of Italy have suggested that Dragusin would consider a return to Serie A in 2024/25 if more regular game time isn’t on the cards in North London. Nevertheless, there is no indication that Tottenham would even entertain selling Dragusin just six months after signing him.
Dragusin’s Tottenham trajectory still has the potential to rise
He is still relatively green by Premier League standards, so easing him into the biggest league in the world seemed like a sensible move from Postecoglou. In the latter stages of the season, when Dragusin was selected to deputise for Micky van de Ven, who replaced the injured Udogie at left back, he showed real signs of promise.
This summer could be the making of Dragusin at Spurs. Dragusin was one of the first names on the squad list for Romania’s Euro 2024 sojourn in Germany. He is a lynchpin at the heart of the Romanian defence, where his aerial prowess and strength shine. If Dragusin can help Romania out of their group and gain exposure in one of the biggest football tournaments in the world, this can only be good for the Bucharest-born defender’s preparation for another Premier League campaign.
Romania were fortunate enough to be drawn in a wide-open group. Group E consists of Romania, Belgium, Ukraine and Slovakia. There is every chance Dragusin and Romania can qualify, even by being one of the best third-placed teams. That’s why they were priced as short as 5/1 to reach the last eight in bet365′ Euros outright betting markets, with just one win likely to be enough to reach the knockout stages.
Romania started out against Ukraine in Munich, before their toughest test against Belgium in Cologne, finishing up with a final group stage game with Slovakia in Frankfurt.
Will Micky van de Ven make it hard for Dragusin whatever he does this summer?
Micky van de Ven looks like Dragusin’s biggest roadblock to the Spurs first team. The towering 23-year-old Dutch defender has just as much aerial presence as Dragusin and appears to have fitted in well with teammates and fans alike. Van de Ven landed the Player of the Season award for 2023/24 at the Official Supporters’ Clubs ceremony.
Dragusin knew that he would be in direct competition with van de Ven, given that the Wormer-born defender was signed before him on a six-year deal from VfL Wolfsburg. If he isn’t prepared to fight for his place in the side, Postecoglou may feel that allowing Dragusin to leave on loan is the only way to keep all parties happy.
Van de Ven will also be participating at Euro 2024. He was selected by the Netherlands and could not be going into the tournament in more confidence. Former Tottenham defender, Ledley King, admitted he’s been “shocked” at the level and consistency of van de Ven’s performances since moving from the German Bundesliga.
King said he has all the attributes to be an elite player, given that he’s a rare, left-footed centre half with “rapid” pace. King added that he didn’t “expect to see anyone outrun de Ven”, such is his acceleration and general speed over short and long distances.
As a result, Dragusin may either have to bide his time from the bench or seek to catch Postecoglou’s eye with his performances out on loan. The lure of the Premier League is difficult to turn down for any player, but maybe Ganea was right that Dragusin shouldn’t have spurned Thomas Tuchel’s 30-minute advances and considered a tilt with the German giants before making the move to England.
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