Fabio Coentrao Acquisition Would Only Be Positive for Tottenham Hotspur

One of the great revelations at Tottenham Hotspur this season has been the sudden arrival of Andros Townsend on the big stage.

Following nine separate loan spells in four-and-a-half seasons, the 22-year-old is now a regular fixture at the club, and his understanding with Kyle Walker on the right-hand side of the pitch has been a big reason why.

Now, imagine if Spurs had a similar partnership on the opposite flank.

Each of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nacer Chadli and Lewis Holtby has been given playing time on the left of the attack already this campaign, and while all three have contributed to a start that has Spurs sitting fourth in the Premier League after 10 rounds, it’s arguable their effectiveness would be enhanced with the introduction of a top-level left-back.

Enter Tuesday’s report that the North London outfit are tracking Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao—likely for a January loan move, but perhaps for something more permanent at the end of the season. (ESPN FC)

Injuries to Danny Rose and Kyle Naughton have forced Belgium international Jan Vertonghen to the left-back position, and while he’s done well enough in the role he admits it’s not one he prefers.

“I can play at left-back and I can help the team at times,” he said this week. “But everyone knows I am not a left-back.” (ESPN FC)

Coentrao, however, is a left-back, and a very good one.

An instrumental figure in Real Madrid’s title-winning season of 2011-12, the Portugal international has since been relegated to the fringes at the Bernabeu as Marcelo has overcome a series of injuries and returned to full fitness.

The 24-year-old has appeared in just four matches so far this season, and with the World Cup just seven months away—never mind Portugal’s upcoming playoff against Sweden—he’ll no doubt be wanting to keep as match-fit as possible—something that’s unlikely to happen at Madrid.

At Tottenham, however, he would walk into the first team and immediately become one of manager Andre Villas-Boas’ first names on the lineup sheet.

And his arrival would only enhance the performances of Holtby and Chadli, as neither are natural wingers and prefer to move inside as much as possible. Coentrao’s attacking instincts would allow that, and his presence on the left would perhaps encourage Villas-Boas to move the struggling Erik Lamela to that flank as well.

It’s hard to see a downside in a Coentrao acquisition by Spurs. Not only would they be addressing a position that could use an upgrade, but they’d be helping out some other players in the team as well.