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Johan Lange has explained Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer strategy, including why the decision was made to bring Souza to the club in January.
Tottenham Hotspur did not get off to a quick start in the January transfer window, but they eventually announced that Conor Gallagher was joining from Atletico Madrid.
Most Spurs supporters were eager to see even more big names walk through the doors at Hotspur Way, but this was not to be.
Instead, Tottenham made the decision to bring Souza to North London – a Brazilian teenager with no experience of European football.
Johan Lange reveals why Tottenham sign young players
Spurs sporting director Johan Lange views Souza as a player with lots of potential and he has indicated the defender is one to watch in the future.
He told Tottenham Hotspur: “Souza is a player we’ve followed for quite a long time in Brazil, in Santos, for the Brazilian youth national team. So, he’s a player with a very high ceiling.
“Of course, it will take a period for him to adapt to English football, as it does for most players coming here, but again, a player with a very high potential and a player we’re looking forward to develop in the years to come.”
Lange has explained that Tottenham have already signed a number of experienced players and it is important to bring in long-term prospects too.
When asked about the current profile of the squad, he replied: “Yeah, there’s no hiding away, we have too many injuries at the moment.
“We have, you can say, over the last period here, brought in players who are more ready from day one.
“Obviously, Palhinha, big Premier League experience, Kudus, big Premier League experience, Kolo Muani experience for the highest level, Xavi, great experience for Champions League with Leipzig and now Conor coming in. So, we have, can you say, recruited players who can make an immediate impact in the team.”
Lange then turned his attention to the future and said: “Then we need to find the right balance because we also need to have players in the pipeline as well, and that is what you see in every club.
“It’s a combination of buying players who are ready here now is buying those, can you say, younger players and then, of course, your own Academy players as well.
“If you take some of the first team starters now, Udogie came in and was on loan and Pape Sarr came in and was on loan and Lucas came in from Sweden… so it’s something that we do at our club and it’s something that all clubs do across the Premier League.”
Souza could play for Tottenham this season
Although Lange has not spoken about Souza as a player who will make an immediate impact, he could be given a chance at Spurs sooner than the club anticipated.
Tottenham were unable to sign Andy Robertson in January, while Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie are both injured.
If something were to happen to Djed Spence as well, this would give Souza a real chance of being brought into the first team. He would be under a lot of pressure to perform, but starting Premier League matches at 19 years old would be quite the opportunity.
READ MORE – Tottenham fans call the board a ‘disgrace’ after latest worrying transfer rumour
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