What Tottenham Can Expect from Argentina Defender Fazio

The Premier League will have a distinct Criollo flavour for the 2014/15 season. Clubs from across the division bet on Argentine talent, perhaps influenced by the solidity and verve shown by the likes of Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo during the Albiceleste's journey to the World Cup final, where they only lost out to Germany thanks to Mario Gotze's goal in the depths of extra time. 

Even those stars who were overlooked by former manager Alejandro Sabella, such as ex-Sevilla central defender Federico Fazio, found their stock rising as England's strongest clubs reinforced heavily with an influx of Argentines. 

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, as reported by the Daily Telegraph's Matt Law, added to his own contingent of countrymen by paying £8 million for the 27-year-old Fazio, teaming him up with Erik Lamela. Given that the transfer fee was offset by Michael Dawson moving to Hull, Fazio's modest transfer fee could prove to be one of the bargains of the season if he takes to English football. 

The Ramos Mejia native's principal asset is obvious. Standing a strapping 6'5", Fazio is a formidable prospect in the air, dominating opposing forwards and moving up the other end to provide a dangerous option from set pieces. Most famously, the Argentine hit two goals for Sevilla in a derby against city rivals Real Betis, showing his prowess in a convincing 5-1 victory that made him the toast of the Rojiblancos' support. 

But the defender, who grew up just 10 blocks from this writer's home playing in Buenos Aires club Ferro before making the jump from the B Nacional to La Liga in 2007, is much more than just a threat in the air. He possesses excellent anticipation and timing, breaking down opposing attacks on the floor before forwards have a chance even to touch the ball.

His ease on the ball and intelligent distribution meant that he had no problem filling in further up the field in Andalucia, playing defensive midfield for Sevilla when out of necessity he was forced to leave that solid partnership in the middle formed with Nicolas Pareja. That duo was a cornerstone of the club's Europa League triumph in 2013/14, but Fazio will also give Tottenham versatility and quality at the back that is much needed in White Hart Lane. 

If there is one question mark over Tottenham's new man, it is his temperament. Fazio was not considered for any of Argentina's games during Sabella's tenure, provoking an angry reaction from the defender in the build-up to the World Cup. 

The then-Sevilla man fired that it was a disrespectful that he was not in the national squad, according to Argentine newspaper Infobae, insisting that he was good enough for Sabella to include him in his plans. Maybe he was; but that outburst if nothing else ensured that the coach would look elsewhere while finalising his squad, preferring Manchester City veteran Martin Demichelis over Fazio when the final lists were announced. 

Fazio will have to learn fast that those kinds of media attacks are looked upon even less fondly in his new home. But if he can control his temper and adapt to English football, the £8 million Pochettino laid out for the strapping defender could be money very well spent if he can guide Spurs to Champions League football in 2014/15.