Why Tottenham should avoid re-signing Dennis Cirkin from Sunderland in January - Opinion

Dennis Cirkin bid Tottenham Hotspur farewell four years ago, but he was linked with a move back to his boyhood club during the summer transfer window.

The Tottenham first-team squad had plenty of positions where additional strength was required after last season. Most of these were in attack, and as a result, Spurs signed the likes of Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons.

However, there were shortages in defence too. Tottenham’s centre-back needs were addressed and there were rumours about the potential arrival of a new full-back. Kyle Walker-Peters was linked with a move back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he joined West Ham instead.

Dennis Cirkin was another ex-Tottenham full-back to be linked with a move back to North London, but he remained at Sunderland. Despite helping Sunderland achieve promotion to the Premier League last season, Cirkin’s future at the club is in doubt.

Additionally, Cirkin is set to become a free agent next summer, so a Spurs move could still be on the cards.

The benefits of Tottenham signing Dennis Cirkin

One big issue Spurs have faced this season is having too many players who are not homegrown or locally trained. It was due to this reason that Mathys Tel was left out of the Tottenham Champions League squad.

Cirkin would count as both a homegrown and locally trained player, because he came through the Tottenham academy.

He would also improve the depth in the Spurs squad, providing cover on the left when Destiny Udogie gets injured. Cirkin also has the ability to play in a back three, a formation Thomas Frank deployed in his first competitive game as manager.

Spurs do not need Cirkin

Despite a couple of benefits which would come from signing Cirkin, his appearances would be few and far between. Frank appears to prefer playing Djed Spence on the left side of defence, so the 23-year-old would only be third choice.

Pedro Porro starts almost every game at right-back, and should he ever become unavailable, Archie Gray could be given the chance to play in his place.

After all, he is not getting many opportunities in midfield and if he was made a permanent right-back, Spurs still have Yves Bissouma who can fill in for Joao Palhinha.

Therefore, the only reason to sign Cirkin would be to fill a homegrown quota. The player himself will want to be playing regularly after 39 league appearances last season. This means there are not enough good reasons for Spurs to re-sign Cirkin.

Cirkin’s injury record is far from reassuring

Another reason to avoid signing Cirkin is that he is often sidelined by injuries. There is no point signing a player to cover for injured players when he himself is unavailable.

Cirkin picked up five different injuries in the 2022/23 season and three the following year. He has missed matches due to injury in each of the past four seasons, as well as the current one. Spurs have enough injury-prone players already and the last thing needed is yet another. 

His injury record, coupled with Tottenham’s existing full-back options, mean Spurs should not attempt to re-sign Cirkin. The attacking left wing position should be a greater priority and that is where Tottenham need to focus in January. 

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