Demarai Gray would be a better addition than Riyad Mahrez

Tottenham Hotspur’s search for new players this summer is seemingly well underway, with the North London club linked with Leicester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray in recent times.

Mauricio Pochettino is said to want to add pace in wide areas to his Spurs squad, with Moussa Sissoko looking increasingly likely to be offloaded before next season.

While both Mahrez and Gray are good players, it is the younger and less experienced wideman that would be a better addition for Tottenham.

The Algeria international was sensational as Leicester won the Premier League in 2015-16 but was inconsistent over the course of last season.

Mahrez’s ability is undoubted and he would certainly be an attacking weapon for Tottenham, but it is his work-rate off the ball that completely rules him out as a possible addition while Pochettino is at the helm.

Leicester fans became frustrated with the former PFA Player of the Year last season as he would stop working once he or a Foxes team-mate was dispossessed.

Gray has a lot of work to do to deliver on the scale that Mahrez has but his potential is there for all to see.

Searing pace, good delivery and an eye for goal are all attributes to bolster Tottenham’s options in the final third, while the former Birmingham City man’s age and home-grown status certainly fit in with Spurs’ current recruiting model.

While a fee in excess of £20 million, which has been touted, seems excessive, if Daniel Levy can work his magic and negotiate a more cost-effective solution, Gray could well be a shred acquisition for Tottenham this summer.