Spurs scouting Golovin


SCOUTING TALK


Tottenham sent a scout to watch CSKA Moscow beat Benfica in the first game of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday in Portugal. The Russians came from 1-0 down at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon to win 2-1.

This is not the first time we have watched them, we also saw them win their qualifier against Young Boys of Switzerland back in August. The speculation is that we were watching 21-year-old (22 next May) Russian international (he has 15 full international caps, scoring 2 goals) central midfielder Aleksandr Golovin.

Golovin is under contract until 30 June 2018 and his boot sponsor is our shirt sponsor Nike, he uses the Nike Mercurial Vapor XI FG shoe. The right-footer has scored 2 goals, with a further 1 assist in the opening 9 Russian Premier Liga games. 

He can play on the right or left or as a defensive midfielder and in fact, has done so already this season. Pochettino likes versatile players and he fits the bill with a good allround game that lacks crossing ability and aerial ability, not essential requirements of a central midfielder.


This season he has a pass completion of 89% in his domestic league and 76% in the UEFA Champions League game we watched. he has won 50% of his duels (aerial, tackles, take-ons) as opposed to 30.77% in the UCL game.

Unknown by Spurs fans, he is considered one of the best playmakers in Russia, being the creative lynchpin for both club and country. His maturity has helped his side win a League title and seen him pick up a winners medal already.

He was a part of the 2013 UEFA U-17 European Championships winning team and earlier this summer it was being reported that Arsenal were very close to signing him, but he remains at CSKA and playing the UEFA Champions League football that our junior neighbours can't offer.

Read more about him at Russian Football News

No doubt we will be keeping an eye on him for the remainder of the UEFA Champions League group stages.
COYS

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