Why Borussia Dortmund's Sven Bender Would Make a Smart Signing for Tottenham

The latest Bundesliga talent linked with a move abroad is Borussia Dortmund's Sven Bender, who has been linked with a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Matt Law of the Telegraph, Mauricio Pochettino is in urgent need of a striker and a central midfielder, and the Dortmund player may well be on the coach's shopping list. 

In his report, Law stated, "Spurs are interested in Stuttgart forward Timo Werner and have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender."

But just what kind of player would the north London club be getting in Bender? Would Thomas Tuchel be willing to part with the defensive midfielder so soon after joining the club? Would Bender work out in the Premier League? Let's take a look.

He's Available—at a Price

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Bender is a Jurgen Klopp kind of player. That isn't a compliment or an insult—it's just the truth. Yet what makes Bender a Klopp kind of player—his stubborn, physical style of play—also means he isn't exactly a Thomas Tuchel kind of player. 

Despite the central midfielder's many talents, he just doesn't seem to fit into the new style of football Tuchel has implemented this summer. Gone are the days of tall, strong, powerful players who characterised a bygone era of German football at the Westfalenstadion. Tuchel favours a quicker, more technical style that cares not for one's size or physicality.

Bender simply looks out of place whenever he comes on for Dortmund these days. There's no denying that Tuchel would be willing to part with the midfielder if the right offer came in. 

He Has the Experience Tottenham Are Looking For

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Tottenham may have a lot of money, but they don't have much experience challenging for titles, winning cups or battling in the Champions League. 

That being the case, one of the smartest things the club can do is bring in players who know all about doing all three of those things. This is where Bender comes into play as a useful addition to the squad. 

Despite his young age, Bender has played in a European Cup final, won domestic championships and played at the highest level for Germany. And through it all, he has rarely, if ever, looked out of his depth.

That's the kind of player Tottenham want and need if they are to once again take that step into the Premier League top four.

He Was Built for the Premier League

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In many ways, Bender is the typical German footballer. He's tall, quick and would have absolutely no qualms about shoulder-barging you off the pitch. Stick in the odd slide tackle, and you have the perfect Premier League player. 

Although it may seem like an odd point to make, half the battle when signing players for the English top division is determining whether they can do what they've done so well on the continent in the Premier League. 

It's no secret that the German top division is full of ready-made talent for English clubs such as Tottenham, and in Bender, they would have a player who could slot into the Premier League without breaking a sweat.

He Still Hasn't Hit His Peak

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Although it seems like he's been around for quite some time, Bender is only 26 years old. He's a seasoned pro, but in terms of defensive midfielders, he's still got a long career ahead of him. 

When considering the signing of such a player, a defining factor that will undoubtedly come into play is the fact the Dortmund box-to-box star still hasn't reached his peak by any stretch of the imagination. 

With that said, a reasonable fee could not only bring in a midfielder who could make a difference for Pochettino's side but one who could get much better over the course of the next five or even 10 years.