Why Winston Reid Is the West Ham Player Tottenham Should Consider Signing

Okay, so to be clear, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are unlikely to be doing transfer business together anytime soon. Not for Winston Reid or anyone.

Beyond the natural animosity of the London neighbours' rivalry, their ambitions are too similar now for either to be seen inadvertently helping the other (see Tottenham's refusal to allow Emmanuel Adebayor to make a loan move in February, per BBC Sport's Ben Smith).

Only in certain extreme circumstances—a relegated West Ham begrudgingly allowing Scott Parker to go in 2011, Spurs' eventual desperation to try and move Adebayor on—are they likely to make a deal.

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But in a world where relations were less strained, were Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino able to cast his eye over Slaven Bilic's squad, it is Reid he should consider signing.

The 27-year-old has been linked with Spurs in the recent past.

The Mirror's John Cross reported in February the West Ham defender was considering joining the north Londoners on a free transfer in the summer. Barely a month later, he signed a new six-year contract, joint-chairman David Gold among the many happy Hammers.

"It’s one of those things that took a bit of time, but we got there in the end and I’m very happy to be here for the next part of my career," Reid told his club's official website. "At the end of the day, for myself I feel comfortable here."

Arriving from Midtjylland in 2010, the New Zealand international has since established himself as a prominent figure in West Ham's transformation from Championship club to one of the Premier League's more aspirational. The promise of a glamorous new home in the Olympic Stadium is informing more eye-catching squad development, amid which Reid has brought an anchoring reliability and solidity.

Spurs looked elsewhere in remodelling their defence. Kevin Wimmer was purchased from Cologne in May, right-back Kieran Trippier from Burnley a few weeks latter. As pre-season began, Toby Alderweireld made the switch from Atletico Madrid.

The latter in particular is proving a strong addition to Pochettino's side. His year spent on loan at Southampton has meant a less difficult settling-in process while an existing familiarity with fellow Belgium international Jan Vertonghen has aided the development of their centre-back partnership.

It is in contemplating how Spurs would fare without either or both of their two Belgians that a hypothetical move for Reid would tempt the north Londoners.

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Since September's Capital One Cup loss to Arsenal in which Wimmer was deployed alongside Federico Fazio in central defence, Alderweireld and Vertonghen have played every game together. Fazio's requirement of two or three matches to get into gear (seen last season in the build-up to some good runs of form) and the 23-year-old Wimmer's inexperience have seemingly made Pochettino hesitant to draft them in and give his first-choice defenders a rest.

Both have been named as substitutes since then and, if needed, would be selected. Wimmer was signed more with the long term in mind anyway, even if he will be disappointed at his minimal playing time.

Nonetheless, a proven Premier League alternative would still be ideal, and here Reid would a decent fit.

He provides a willing passing option in possession and is adequate in then moving the ball on positively—important for attack-minded sides like West Ham and Spurs.

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Defensively, his positioning is generally sound (though in the Hammers' previous game, he and James Tomkins were caught out against Everton by a through ball for Romelu Lukaku to run on to and score from). His best attributes relate to his combativeness and ability to contain a would-be interloper directly.

Like Vertonghen does for Tottenham, Reid often takes the lead for West Ham in confronting opponents. One-on-one with Lukaku in West Ham's 1-1 draw with Everton, he more than stood up to the imposing striker.

Indeed, Reid makes a favourable comparison to Vertonghen in tackling (1.9 per league game to the latter's 2), as well as the other key defensive statistics of blocks, clearances and interceptions, per WhoScored.com.

Should Pochettino decide Tottenham's defensive options can still be improved, he could do worse than look for someone in Reid's mould.