The one position most neglected by Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer market | OneFootball

Most of you will have read the caption to this piece thinking "where do you even begin?" Which is absolutely fair. There are a number of positions that Spurs have grossly neglected over the years. However, there is one in particular - and maybe one that doesn't get mentioned enough compared to the neglect of other positions.

That is, defensive midfield. The number six role to give it its more modern term. Spurs' seeming refusal to buy a defensive midfielder for a number of years now has been borderline disgraceful. Absolutely amateurish stuff. Let's crack the nuts and bolts of it.

Can you even remember the last time Spurs signed a true defensive midfielder? Some could argue Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, but even at Southampton, he often played as a number eight, with Oriel Romeu playing as the six. He just ended up playing there in North London, because, guess what - there was no actual six in the squad.

You could argue he is more of a fit there than others, but nevertheless. Even if you do include the Danish international, when was the last one before or after him? Spurs have had Oliver Skipp, probably a natural DM, but he was not signed. Maybe you could say that him being a first team player negated the need for one?

With all due respect to an academy graduate whom loved the club, it feels a bit of a stretch to say the club did not need to sign a top player in that role. Still, that is the board's dream, isn't it? A free player who can "do a job" there.

So, before Højbjerg, you have to go back to 2016, and the signing of Victor Wanyama, also from Southampton. Pretty good player for a short while, and one who Spurs could certainly do with right now. That said, they could do with absolutely any defensive midfielder right now.

Some have hoped that Archie Gray will be able to move there when (if) Spurs get their central defenders back. Again, he is not a natural defensive midfielder. At Leeds United, though often played as a right-back, he was seen as a central midfielder, a number eight. Not a number six. Although he could "do a job" there, it still feels like a slight square peg in a round hole.

Talk of Spurs activating their option to buy Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis in the summer has began to increase lately, so that is at least a start. Someone who is capable of putting out fires and giving other plays the license to get forward and do their thing.

There needs to be a plan though. To have a shortlist for this summer, Cardoso and others. One (sort of) defensive midfielder signed in nine years is just insane. Soon we will upload a piece analysing the number sixes Spurs could look to bring in this summer.

We saw it against Aston Villa. The absolute gaping holes in midfield. Not only do Spurs need someone capable of winning the ball back from a standing start, they need someone capable of eating ground and large spaces too. Both of those things whilst also being good on the ball. Not easy, that is true - but other clubs have managed to do it. That is what people who work in recruitment are paid for.

There is the possibility of signing a more technical DM, who can also tackle, but perhaps less mobile and athletic - with the caveat that they are partnered with a space eater such as Pape Sarr, or someone of that ilk.

Regardless of the type of profile they sign, there absolutely has to be a six signed this summer. No ifs, no buts. It is time to stop neglecting one of the most important positions in football.