Tottenham have had a quiet start to the transfer window, but they have stepped up their pursuit of Bordeaux attacker Malcom according to some stories. It is reported that Mauricio Pochettino has been a long-term admirer of the Brazilian and cite reports in France that claim the two clubs have reopened discussions over a transfer. Inter Milan had been in the running, but the Italian club was put off by the £45 million valuation.
Malcom has long been tipped for big things since breaking through as a teenager in Brazil. It was seen as a surprise that he chose to join Bordeaux when moving to Europe, but in hindsight, it has turned out to be a great decision. He has been able to develop out of the spotlight in a competitive league and he stood out as one of the best players in Ligue 1 last season. The 21-year-old contributed 12 goals and seven assists, with a goal involvement every 150.9 minutes.
Regular watchers of Bordeaux will testify to his quality as he regularly stood out as the best player on the pitch, helping the side to a top six finish. His best position is on the right wing, but he has the skill-set to be effective across the front-line with the right coaching. In that sense, a move to Tottenham looks to be the perfect next step for Malcom as he will have the opportunity to learn under Pochettino. The Argentine has proven himself to be an excellent developer of young talent and the 21-year-old would benefit from that.
It is easy to see why Tottenham would like to sign Malcom, as he is a dynamic attacker who offers a goal threat and creativity. Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian is a powerful dribbler with plenty of skill. He is capable of beating players at will and accelerating away from a defender. In tight spaces, he operates well and his low centre of gravity often leads to fouls being drawn.
He threatens from range with his long shooting ability, but he isn’t a selfish player. Malcom reads the game effectively and often chooses to pass to a team-mate if they are in a better position. Meanwhile, he is a very good crosser of the ball and his total of seven assists underlines what he offers to a team in terms of creativity. He operates well on the wing and in central areas, which makes him a good option for Tottenham.
There will be areas for him to work on if he was to move to North London. Malcom would have to learn to contribute more to the team when out of possession as his defensive contribution isn’t the best. Pochettino demands his attackers to press and the Brazilian would need to add this to his game. Meanwhile, his physicality would be an initial concern, but it could be addressed with game-time and work in the gym.
Although they already have a plethora of exciting attacking options, Tottenham should pursue a deal for Malcom as a priority. The 21-year-old would add dynamism to their squad and his potential for growth under Pochettino is scary. His arrival would cast doubt over the playing time available to Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura, but it is never a bad thing to bring in a quality talent like the Brazilian. This would send a statement out to their rivals that they plan to be a major force for years to come.
