Is Federico Fazio a Future Tottenham Hotspur Transfer Bust?

Will Federico Fazio turn into Tottenham Hotspur's security blanket at centre-back? Or, is he a big transfer mistake? 

Expected to sign for Spurs from Sevilla for £8 million, per Matt Law at The Telegraph, here is a scouting report on the 27-year-old, 6'5", 187-pound Argentinian international. 

Fazio Positives

Former Monaco chief executive officer Tor-Kristian Karlsen tweeted that Fazio was one of the "most talented centre-backs" he had ever seen. 

Fazio has enjoyed a steady career at Sevilla.

He anchored Sevilla's back line, was a motivating leader on the field and helped the club win the UEFA Europa League last season.

Fazio's sizeable height advantage enables him to dominate aerially in defence and attack (set-piece threat). 

Fazio won more headers last season than Jan Vertonghen, Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul combined.

League Only 2013-14	Total Headers Won	Headers Won Per Game	Height	Weight
Federico Fazio	120	4.4	6'5"	187 lbs
Jan Vertonghen	57	2.5	6'3"	190 lbs
Vlad Chiriches	25	1.5	6'1"	165 lbs
Younes Kaboul	29	2.2	6'0"	165 lbs

Credit: Squawka.com

Credit: Squawka.com

Fazio Negatives

Fazio possesses the two detrimental traits that could make him a transfer bust: 

• David Luiz's inconsistency.
• Titus Bramble's concentration levels.

Lacking awareness, Fazio failed to attack the ball that bounced into the path of Real Madrid left-forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Switching off, Fazio inadvertently headed the ball to Athletic Bilbao centre-forward Gaizka Toquero.

Misreading the flight of the ball, Fazio exposed Sevilla's entire flank as Real Sociedad right attacking midfielder Carlos Vela charged forward. 

Fazio shoved Christian Stuani gift-wrapping Espanyol a penalty. 

Outwitted by David Barral, Fazio tripped the Levante centre-forward to concede a daft penalty. 

Unnecessarily making contact with Real Betis centre-forward Jorge Molina, Fazio gave away another penalty. 

A step behind play, Fazio took down then-Malaga (now Fiorentina) right attacking midfielder Joaquin to get red carded. 

Putting Sevilla in a disadvantaged situation (again), Fazio impeded Atletico Madrid winger Koke and was dismissed.

Bottom Line

If Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino can turn Dejan Lovren from one of the worst Ligue 1 defenders into a £20 million-valued Liverpool summer signing, Fazio should prosper under Pochettino, his compatriot.  

The talent is there. 

Playing at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup for Argentina, Fazio was named an outstanding player, per FIFA: "Hard-working, competitive central defender, powerful in the air."

Credit: FIFA.com

Fazio will identify with Pochettino.

Why? 

Pochettino was one of Argentina's most promising players at the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship, per FIFA: "Argentina's tactics relied on a strong defence comprised of three defenders commanded by their level-headed libero, Pocchettino."

Credit: FIFA.com

Fazio has made a plethora of mistakes and combined with his past fitness issues, his transfer to Spurs is risky. 

But when Fazio is in the zone, he is a one-man wall.

Pocchettino will be thinking: "I proved the doubters wrong with Lovren and I will silence the Fazio critics as you watch me take him to the next level."

@allanjianga

+allanjiang

Statistics via WhoScored.com