We at Cartilage Free Captain do transfer rumors often, and we do them well. But sometimes it’s worth doing a deeper dive into Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer targets, what we call Daniel Levy’s Imaginary Shortlist. These are players that Spurs have either been linked to in the transfer window, or sometimes who they should be linked to as the club tries to improve to challenge for a Premier League title.

Today, we are taking a look at West Bromwich Albion attacker and Belgian goal-scoring hero Nacer Chadli

The Basics

Name: Nacer Chadli
Age: 28
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Nationality: Belgian
League: English Championship
Primary position: LW
Can also play: CM/CAM/LB

Belgian World Cup hero Nacer Chadli is a versatile attacking player who is at his best on the left wing but who is also capable of playing in the number 10 role or in central midfield. We also heard he can play left back, but that might be just a rumor. If you ask him nicely he may also be willing to play defensive midfielder.

Chadli represents Belgium despite having been born in the Atlantic Ocean hundreds of miles away from mainland Europe. Last year he was at West Brom, but he struggled after picking up an injury when a plastic bag got caught on his dorsal fin.

The Specifics

Chadli is a natural Pochettino player—happy to be a consistent squad player, able to make an impact off the bench, and versatile. He also would likely blend in naturally with the squad’s Belgian players. He currently plays for relegated West Bromwich Albion and he is likely to be available on the cheap. Add to this Mauricio Pochettino’s widely known fondness for players who star on the international stage and this just seems like a natural move for Tottenham.

Don’t just take our word for it though. Just watch this comprehensive highlight reel that shows all the things Chadli does so well:

If there’s a knock on Chadli it’s that he has a reputation for disappearing from matches, but that’s far, far overshadowed by his sculpted pectorals and staggeringly handsome face. And that TOPKNOT! Deffo a prime addition to the Tottenham Hair Club for Men.

He would instantly become one of the best looking players in the Premier League, but his sexiness hasn’t gotten to his head. Nacer just seems like a good guy. He’ll provide assists, he’ll use emojis to engage with fans on social media, and he’ll shush a library full of unruly students when you’re trying to study for a big exam.

The Verdict

Likely price: £8-10m and 2 development cards from Settlers of Catan

Chances that the valuation is wrong: Who knows? He’s 28, which is a knock against him. Supporters of his former side also claim that he is limited and apparently have dubbed him “Nacer Passerbadly.” But based on his star turn in the second round World Cup match against Japan it is hard to see how anyone could possibly oppose a bargain rate move for him.

Team’s willingness to sell: Relegated teams often have little choice when it comes to selling their star players..

Fit at Tottenham Hotspur: He’s Belgian, available on the cheap, able to play several different roles, is smooth like a dolphin, and had a star turn at the World Cup. What’s not to like? He would fit in perfectly with the wine and cheese rooms at the new stadium. Spurs should definitely buy him based on one great game at a major international tournament, what could possibly go wrong?

Possibility he ends up at Spurs:

Hard to say. One would hope the team’s Belgium contingent pushes for the move. But other teams are sure to be in for him after his impressive World Cup, such as Barcelona who are already adept at taking midfielders from strange places and making them incredible.

He could also decide to quit football and become a model full-time. We wouldn’t blame him.

Grade if this transfer goes through: A++++++++++++++