As the transfer window rumour-mill goes into overdrive, one interesting story is that of Burnley striker, Danny Ings. He is currently being courted by Tottenham Hotspur who are willing to offer £8 million for his services, but is he the type of player that Tottenham need?
As a Spurs fan, I have always thought that the club would attract a certain type of player. The type of player who is a seasoned international, a household name and who commands a top salary. That’s why the link with Ings is such an interesting one. It would be fair to say that he hasn’t exactly set the league alight at the time of writing, scoring only 5 goals in 19 appearances. Don’t get me wrong, he is a young lad who is just starting out in the Premier League and I get that it will take time. But my question is, do Spurs need another youngster who is learning his trade?
Harry Kane, the academy starlet has been in scintillating form this season, proving that he can score both in domestic and European competitions. An international call up is now a reality. However, a loss of form WILL happen at some point. When that happens, Spurs only have the misfiring Roberto Soldado to fall back on, assuming that Emmanuel Adebayor will leave the club. Can Tottenham rely on Kane and possibly Ings to carry the club forward and challenge for a Champions League spot? I don’t think they can.
If he was bought, and for one second I don’t think Burnley would let him go whilst they are in a relegation scrap, surely he would get limited playing time behind the likes of Kane or Soldado? Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino tends to utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation, meaning that he would probably spend most of his time on the bench, or even just make the rare appearance in cup competitions. Much is made of the pressures of modern day football, especially on young shoulders. Managers always talk of the need to “protect” their young talent and avoid burn out. I feel that Ings would be better served to stay at Burnley, where his talent can be developed properly. I don’t think coming to Spurs would in anyway improve his career. Of course, this is all conjecture. He could flourish like Kane and score a bagful of goals.
Maybe in a season or two, Pochettino could reassess the situation. Ings was voted the 2013/14 Championship Player of the Year having scored 21 times in 40 appearances. If he were to carry on that form, I see no reason why he wouldn’t be an attractive proposition in the future. Let him continue to get the game time he needs, as well as representing his country for the England U-21’s.
A quick look at his stats (courtesy of Squawka.com) shows that he has a shot accuracy of only 38%. Lets compare that to another English striker who is playing for a team who are also struggling in the league. Charlie Austin has scored 12 goals in 16 appearances so far with a shot accuracy of 67%. Ins has only managed 51 shots, Austin a whopping 73, only bettered by Sergio Aguero. Make of those stats what you will.
I truly believe that for Tottenham to move forward as a club at this present time, a proven goalscorer needs to be signed. If Spurs want a shot at getting that final Champions League place, then a striker is the priority. Bring in a 20-goal-a-season man and who knows what could happen at White Hart Lane.
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