Tottenham academy graduate Japhet Tanganga didn’t look out of place in the Premier League, but hasn’t kicked on in subsequent seasons. Persistent injuries haven’t helped establish himself as a defensive mainstay, at what quickly proved an unpredictable time in north London. After a deadline day move to Augsburg, he has an opportunity to shine with less scrutiny in Germany this coming season, with multiple agemates who’ll give him inspiration abroad.
Augsburg loan Tanganga, option to buy inserted
- Reputable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier today that Augsburg have paid a €6m (£5.1m) loan fee to Tottenham, who have continued in pursuit of an additional defender with Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly and Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah on their shortlist
- “I’m really excited about the chance to play for Augsburg in the Bundesliga – has a really good reputation in England right now, more Premier League players are choosing to come here, I want to help FCA achieve their goals and prove myself in a new league,” 24-year-old said on the move
- Augsburg sporting director Marinko Jurendic meanwhile, was naturally pleased with his side’s new addition: “Japhet is a very well-rounded defender, defined by his physicality and ability to win tackles – a player with top-level experience who wants to continue his development here, the qualities he brings will give us different defensive options.”
Officially a first-team player as early as 2020 under a certain Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino gave the academy graduate his first taste of competitive football as a 20-year-old during a third-round EFL Cup trip to Colchester.
It feels somewhat fitting, writing this on deadline day, the two central defenders partnering him that night in the east of England have been deemed surplus to requirements under new boss Ange Postecoglou: Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier.
The difficulty that comes with finding a perfect home for defenders isn’t lost at a time where a host of clubs across Europe were monitoring Tanganga’s situation – from Inter and Besiktas, to Everton and Luton in England’s top-flight. Augsburg it proved.
When you delve deeper into their squad construction and what they need, this acquisition makes sense at a time where more European sides are venturing to England for some of their best young talents, most of which are being underutilised.
Highly-rated Wales international Ethan Ampadu (Leeds) benefited from loan spells at RB Leipzig as well as Serie A duo Venezia and Spezia before returning to England this summer while former Arsenal academy graduates Jordi Osei-Tutu (Bochum) and Marc Bola (Samsunspor in Turkey) are among the current crop plying their trade abroad.
Having agreed a new multi-year extension with Reece Oxford almost two years ago, the West Ham academy graduate has been sidelined with various ailments over the past season and they hadn’t adequately replaced the 24-year-old in his absence.
Augsburg’s central defensive options
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (32) – sidelined with ankle injury
Felix Uduokhai (25)
Japhet Tanganga, Reece Oxford, Patric Pfeiffer (all 24) – Oxford out indefinitely, Pfeiffer serving red card suspension
Maximilian Bauer (23)
Frederik Winther (22)
Tanganga might not be as comfortable in possession as his agemate, but on defensive ability alone this is a savvy move – not their first this summer – as they look to bridge the gap to the European hopefuls after conceding 63 goals last term.
An England international from U16 to under-21 level, this transfer will help him on an individual level provided he stay fit and available with consistency too.
From the 2021 cohort that fell short behind closed doors, only Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) stands out as someone who is better than Tanganga, at a time where Ben Godfrey (Everton) and Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth) have since established themselves as Premier League players. Everyone’s journey is different, mind.
Guehi was rewarded for leaving Chelsea with regular minutes after a £20m transfer move to south London, and now finds himself in Gareth Southgate’s senior England plans after seamlessly proving Palace’s premier defender in no time at all.
It took a while, but Fikayo Tomori in Milan has experienced similar and many feel Chris Smalling (Roma) is worthy of a recall more than the world’s most expensive defender Harry Maguire‘s continued inclusion given his poor form.
Tanganga will say the same thing as many are conditioned to, if asked about his international aspirations – just focusing on what he can affect, improving and continuing to learn amongst new friends. There’s enough to suggest he’ll do just that.
Mo and Sports 