Tottenham line up another boring, but sensible transfer move

Tottenham’s summer transfer plan is all about solidifying Jose Mourinho’s squad. Adding Matt Doherty can help Spurs do just that. 

Any Tottenham fans hoping to see Spurs splash mountains of cash on swashbuckling attackers this summer are set to be disappointed. Jose Mourinho has entered the summer with a clear plan to add substance, rather than style, to his squad.

The club’s signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton was step one of the plan. He’s not the sort of midfielder who will electrify cans with daring runs into the opposing penalty area. Instead, Hojbjerg’s job is to control the middle of the pitch and shield his back four from trouble. That’s something Tottenham sorely lacked last season.

Now Mourinho is turning his attention towards solving the club’s issue at right back. Serge Aurier is almost certainly headed out the exit door. Bayer Leverkusen seem to be making a late charge for the Ivory Coast star. Even if Aurier doesn’t secure a move to Germany, it’s highly unlikely he’ll return to North London for another campaign.

That leaves Mourinho with a golden opportunity to purchase a right back that’s better suited to play his brand of football. That’s why Tottenham have turned their attention to Wolves’ fullback Matt Doherty according to Sky Sports. 

What can Matt Doherty do for Tottenham?

Doherty won’t conjure up fond images of Kyle Walker’s pacy runs down the right flank for Spurs fans. He also isn’t prone to the mental lapses that have plagued Tottenham at the position for several years. He’s a solidly above-average starter who has already proven his ability to handle the rigors of Premier League football.

Signing him would allow Tottenham to plug Doherty into their starting XI every week and move on to other issues. That’s a valuable role for a manager of Mourinho’s ilk. He wants to tinker with issues further up the pitch. To do that, he needs to make sure his defense is rock-solid. Adding a steady presence like Doherty at right back can help Tottenham do just that.

If the move comes off, count it as Tottenham’s second boring signing of the summer. It’s a transfer strategy that runs contrary to the club’s stylish history, but it may be the route to silverware under Mourinho.