‘Norwegian Neymar’ Nusa could be fan-thrilling coup before deadline | Ben McAleer

Having added Timo Werner to the ranks this month, you’d be hard pressed to find a Tottenham supporter who believed another forward would be the priority in January. With a new centre-back, Radu Dragusin, also on the books, many believed Spurs would target another central midfielder before the transfer window closed.

Yet when there is a deal to be done to secure one of the most promising young wingers in Europe, you don’t wait around. Reports last week suggested Spurs were close to an agreement with Belgian side Club Brugge for teenage sensation Antonio Nusa. The Norway international is wanted by Chelsea, who saw a deadline day offer for the 18-year-old rejected in the summer.

While the Blues would likely look to try again for the player, Spurs appear to be the frontrunners to secure his services. A deal is expected to see Nusa remain in Belgium for the rest of the season but, in the long run, it’s an agreement that would undoubtedly suit the north London side. One of the main reasons Spurs are seeking to strike a deal this month is for fear that they’d miss their chance to land the “Norwegian Neymar” further down the line.

The nickname is undoubtedly justified, with Nusa ranking top for dribbles per 90 (5.1) in the 2023-24 Belgian Pro campaign. In truth, Spurs have been missing a player of Nusa’s skillset on the left flank for quite some time. Yes, Ange Postecoglou has Son Heung-Min and now Werner to operate on the left, two nippy forwards, but the pair are better suited playing off the shoulder of the last defender, maximising their speed off the ball to provide a penetrative goal threat from wide.

Nusa is a player who will hog the touchline to stretch the play. He’ll stay out wide as an outlet before driving forward in possession when picked out by a teammate. The sound of seats springing back as fans rise to their feet when Nusa looks to beat an opponent could become a regular occurrence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if the club get their man.

What’s crucial too is that Nusa doesn’t have a preferred foot. His right is arguably stronger than his left, with the teenage winger favouring to cut infield, but his two-footedness adds to the unpredictability around him. Markers will tie themselves in knots in their efforts to keep Nusa at bay.

Nusa’s 5.1 successful dribbles per 90 minutes is the most in Belgium’s top tier yet a success rate of 49.4% highlights an area to his game that requires refinement. Conversely, given his age, Nusa is just a boy playing a man’s game. With the right coaching the rough edges can be smoothed out.

That’s not to say that Nusa’s inexperience is adversely affecting his decision-making. Three goals and two assists may not make for a great record, but for a player who has registered just 710 minutes of league action this season; that’s a direct involvement every 142 minutes of game time. In truth, his teammates’ profligacy is the reason for the low assist return. Nusa’s average of 2.2 key passes per 90 ranks among the top 25 players in the Belgian top tier this season. He’s able to play a chance creating pass to a teammate when he does beat a marker.

What really stands out about Nusa, though, is not just his quality when in possession but his hard work when off the ball. Wingers have a habit of establishing themselves as luxury players. When the going gets tough, they don’t get going. In this instance, Nusa is an exception to the rule.

Of the 273 players to have made 10 or more appearances in the Pro League this season, Nusa is ranked 11th in terms of how frequently he wins possession in the attacking third – once every 70.7 minutes. Given Spurs have won possession in the attacking third 135 times, which ranks the club third in the Premier League this season, this hard-working side to Nusa’s game is a desirable trait for a Postecoglou-led team that seeks to force turnovers high up the pitch.

The youngster seems the perfect winger for Postecoglou at Spurs. While a player’s path to success is impossible to map, Nusa’s ceiling is incredibly high and in the right environment, there’s little to stop him from realising his immense potential. If Spurs can get this deal over the line it will prove a sensational coup.

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