'Nobody seems to be thinking any more' - Smith on left winger hunt

The Observer’s Rory Smith believes Tottenham shortlisted “three completely different profiles of players” in their search for another left winger.

As reported by BBC Sport’s Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella, the Blues have accepted an offer for Mykhailo Mudryk in the late stages of the summer transfer window.

“This transfer chain between Cody Gakpo, Iliman Ndiaye and Mykhailo Mudryk is interesting to me,” Smith said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. “They are all forwards who have played Premier League football, but that’s literally the only thing they have in common.

“They might like the same soap operas – I have no idea – but other than that, it is really hard to see a pattern.

“Tottenham drew them up as their three contenders for the left wing spot, but they are all completely different profiles of players.

“These clubs spend so much money on analysts, data, information and expert scouts. If I was an owner, I would be asking: ‘Have we not spent quite a lot of money on these smartest people in the room to spot bargains?’

“Fans have a different reaction to a player coming in for a bargain fee and doing well compared with a club spending a seventh of their entire revenue on a left winger.

“Nobody seems to be thinking any more, apart from the usual clubs.”

Listen to the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds