Ange Postecoglou has decided he is keen to sign a new goalkeeper in January and the Australian manager already knows the one he wants.
Spurs are keen to move in January to replace Fraser Forster following his two blunders against Man United. The 34-year-old is currently standing in for Guglielmo Vicario who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Forster has proven himself to be a solid shot-stopper, however, Postecoglou is keen to sign a goalkeeper who can play out from the back. Currently, he is stuck with Forster as his number one with Vicario out until February.
Tottenham want to sign James Trafford to replace Fraser Forster
Tottenham are considering a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, according to The Mirror. The North London club have green-lighted Ange Postecoglou’s plan to sign a goalkeeper in January as he looks to replace Fraser Forster.
Trafford has emerged as a target for Spurs with the North London club looking at homegrown options from the EFL. Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson and Sheffield Wednesday’s Pierce Charles are among the other names on their list.
The 22-year-old is expected to cost around £20 million as Burnley are keen to keep hold of the goalkeeper. The Clarets proved tricky to negotiate with when Newcastle tried to sign Trafford last summer and the same case is expected next month.
Would James Trafford be an ideal Fraser Forster replacement?
The data appears to suggest that Trafford is better in possession than Forster which is something Postecoglou is keen to add to his squad. The former Southampton man cost Tottenham two goals against United trying and failing to play out from the back.
It is clear that this is a significant weakness of Forster’s game and bringing in a shot-stopper like Trafford could be an ideal move for the Lilywhites.
Speaking after the match, Postecoglou admitted his team needed a better understanding of when was the right time to play out from the back against United: “I think we should have waited for him [Zirkzee] to clear the box before we start playing because then he presses from inside the box.
“So we could have handled that situation a little bit better, just some calmness but then when that happens I think us going back to Frase a couple of times probably wasn’t the right decision.”