Tottenham Hotspur announce signing of Benjamin Stambouli

The era of aggressive, tenacious pressing has arrived at White Hart Lane. With Mauricio Pochettino finding himself in need of players a little closer to Etienne Capoue and Nabil Bentaleb than the other midfielders in the Tottenham Hotspur squad, the powers that be have signed Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellier. He's inked a 5-year contract.

A first choice player and star for Montpellier last season, Stambouli increased his stock significantly and got himself on the radar of bigger European teams. Fiorentina were originally the favorites to sign him, but according to Stambouli's agent, Fiorentina were unwilling to meet Montpellier's asking price and the player himself preferred a move to England.

With Lewis Holtby and Sandro headed out the door, Spurs were in need of a midfielder. Stambouli should bring the athletic pressing of Holtby with the ball-winning qualities of Sandro, but without the things Pochettino doesn't like about either player. He's been compared favorably to Etienne Capoue and is a sensible alternative to Morgan Schneiderlin, Spurs' original target in this position.

Stambouli's rumored fee is around £6m -- though some outlets have reported it as lower -- and his wages are probably a tad lower than Sandro's. In the eyes of both Pochettino and Daniel Levy, Spurs have just improved their squad and made a nice little profit as well.