Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a surprise move for an “eye-catching” former player, who would be open to a January return to north London.
Frank stresses the importance of defensive solidity
During the Ange Postecoglou era, Tottenham received widespread criticism for their lack of defensive solidity, but Thomas Frank has made immediate improvements, with his side conceding just one goal in their opening three Premier League games.
Speaking after the impressive 3-0 victory at West Ham United, the Spurs boss said: “It’s hugely important that we are good defensively. Obviously, we want to score, we want to play forward, want to play offensive football, we’ve scored eight goals, clearly we want to score goals, but over so many, many games, that foundation, being able to get clean sheets is key.”
Left-back Djed Spence is one of the players to have made a solid start to the season, with the 25-year-old receiving his first England cap in the recent international break and becoming the first Muslim Three Lions star in history.
However, according to a report from Football Insider, Tottenham remain keen on bringing in another left-back, with Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin being targeted for a “surprise” return to north London.
Cirkin is said to be open to re-joining his former club during the January transfer window, and bringing in defensive reinforcements is of key importance to Spurs, given that they still remain a little light on options at the back in case of injury.
There are also issues with Spurs’ European ‘locally trained’ quota, which is viewed as a key reason why Frank was forced to submit a 22-man Champions League squad for the league phase whilst leaving out the likes of Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma.
Transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke added: “He would provide a boost to their homegrown quota, and they have had a few issues with that homegrown quote for their Champions League squad this year.
“So the deal could make sense if they want to bring him in to boost that. He definitely would provide cover for left-back if Tottenham were to make a move for him.”
"Eye-catching" Cirkin could be solid option for Frank
A deal for the 23-year-old would not break the bank, with widespread reports suggesting Sunderland would accept a bid of £20m, and there are clear indications he could be a solid option for Frank, at least as a back-up option.
Since leaving Spurs back in 2021, the Dublin-born defender has gone on to prove himself at Sunderland, making 36 league appearances for the Black Cats en-route to promotion last season.
During that time, former Championship striker Sam Parkin also singled out the left-back for praise, saying: “I think he has been one of the most outstanding players in the division this season.
“When you watch him live, he is a very good athlete. I think he gets up and down; it is eye-catching the way he moves with the ball, but his decision-making on the ball and his ability on the ball have been top-class this season.”
Cirkin clearly has the talent to succeed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there are some doubts over whether the Sunderland defender would be a necessary signing, given that Frank already has Spence and Destiny Udogie to choose from at left-back.