The Athletic’s Tim Spiers has said that while Tottenham’s recruitment team were keen on signing Max Kilman, Ange Postecoglou was not in favour of a move for the Wolves star.
It was well documented right from the start of the summer that left centre-back was one of Tottenham’s priority areas to address, and the club have now finally managed to strengthen that position with the acquisition of Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during warm-up prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace at Molineux on April 25, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolverhampton Wanderers FC via Getty Images)
However, prior to the Dutchman’s arrival, a whole host of players were mooted as targets for Spurs, including Kilman, with some sources even alleging the 26-year-old was one of the names at the top of the club’s wishlist (90 Min).
Postecoglou decided against move for Max Kilman
Spiers has now shed light on why Tottenham decided to move for Van de Ven over the Wolves star, explaining that Postecoglou did not think that the latter possessed the recovery pace to play in a high defensive line.
The journalist said on The View From The Lane podcast: “I feel like speed is the key here in terms of why they were so keen to bring him [Micky Van de Ven] in.
“I know that they looked really closely at Max Kilman from Wolves and that the recruitment team were really hot on him and I can understand why.
“He and Van de Ven share an awful lot of attributes in terms of their size, their physicality, Kilman is excellent technically. A similar price as well, I think Kilman could be got for £40m from what I hear.
“He also has family in London, I think he would have been open to the move, but the issue with Kilman is he’s not quick, that’s what he lacks.
“And I do feel like speed is the key to what Postecoglou wants. From what I’m told the recruitment team were really hot on Kilman but Postecoglou was not and I would imagine it’s for that reason.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I believe that the one quality which is just as important as recovery pace (if not more) to play in a Postecoglou backline is the ability to win duals so that the opposition is not allowed to break on us.
The centre-backs also have to be able to read the game well to cut off direct balls at their source. Van de Ven clearly excels at reading passes early and in defending one vs one situations while his quality in possession is also quite evident.
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