£20M Tottenham target won’t be a good fit for the Spurs, says Celtic manager
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expressed reservations about whether Kyogo Furuhashi could successfully transition to the English Premier League (EPL). This comes in the wake of speculations linking Furuhashi with Tottenham Hotspur. Lennon’s doubts shed light on the perceived gap between the Scottish Premiership and the EPL.
Odsonne Edouard’s challenges at Selhurst Park underscore this notion. Despite his prolific record at Celtic, Edouard’s goal tally stands at a modest 11 from 63 top-flight games for Crystal Palace. This disparity has Lennon questioning whether Furuhashi, Edouard’s successor at Parkhead, could fare better.
According to The Sun, Ange Postecoglou might aim to bring the £20 million-rated Furuhashi to Tottenham. The Japanese international recorded 34 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, contributing to Celtic’s fifth domestic treble in eight seasons.
However, Lennon fears that Furuhashi might find it difficult to adapt to the EPL, especially given the high expectations at Tottenham. His concern stems from the potential need for Furuhashi to fill the boots of Harry Kane, Tottenham’s mainstay, rumored to be in talks with Bayern Munich.
Lennon voiced his concerns in an interview with the Daily Mail. He praised Furuhashi’s skill and style, but questioned his ability to consistently deliver at the EPL’s intense pace. In Lennon’s view, Furuhashi would also face a daunting task breaking into a Spurs’ frontline featuring world-class talents such as Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, and Richarlison.
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Despite these concerns, Lennon acknowledged that Furuhashi could potentially find a place in the Premier League. However, he suggested that a position at a top-tier club like Tottenham might currently be a bridge too far for the Celtic star.
Meanwhile, Furuhashi has played down these speculations, affirming his commitment to Celtic. He continues to focus on his current role and responsibilities at Parkhead.
In the meantime, Tottenham is not sitting idle. The club has secured the signings of James Maddison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for a combined fee of nearly £60 million. These players, arriving from Leicester City and Empoli respectively, indicate Tottenham’s ambitious approach to the transfer window.
In conclusion, while Furuhashi’s transfer to Tottenham remains speculative, Neil Lennon’s doubts raise interesting questions about the player’s ability to navigate the EPL’s rigorous challenges. As the transfer window unfolds, all eyes will be on Tottenham’s next move and Furuhashi’s potential role in their plans.
