Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer in recent weeks and if the Austrian were to join, it could spell trouble for Giovani Lo Celso at the North London club.

Jose Mourinho's side have been heavily linked with the Leipzig captain for some time now, with the Portuguese manager and his scouts perhaps having been impressed with the midfielder since his impressive displays in the Champions League knockout games against Spurs last season.

If he were to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month, or in the summer, it could prove to be bad news for Lo Celso's chances of becoming a regular in Mourinho's side.

The Argentinian international convinced Mourinho to make his loan stay a permanent one in January of last year and was a regular for much of the 2019/20 campaign, despite managing no goals and just two assists in 28 Premier League appearances.

He has scored three goals so far this season in all competitions, so is showing signs of improvement, but a combination of injury issues and Tanguy Ndombele's return to form have meant that he has started just four games in the top-flight.

With the French midfielder now Spurs' chief creator in midfield, usually alongside the box-to-box Moussa Sissoko and defensive general Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, it is already difficult to see where the former PSG man fits in.

Therefore, if Sabitzer were to join, it would only increase the competition in Mourinho's midfield, and based on performances from the last two seasons the Austrian would most likely keep Lo Celso out of the team.

Last season, the 26-year-old Leipzig man averaged a superb 7.24 rating for his performances in the Bundesliga, contributing nine goals and seven assists in 32 appearances.

Lo Celso, meanwhile, would average a disappointing 6.62 rating for his performances in the Premier League, something that has not improved this season for the Argentinian international.

Sabitzer also averages more key passes per game than the 24-year-old Spurs man and double the number of shots per game, suggesting he would be much more of a goal threat from midfield.

As captain of Leipzig, Sabitzer would also most likely fit well into Mourinho's squad, when you consider how former Southampton captain Hojbjerg has impressed since joining.

Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann was full of praise for his midfielder last year, saying:

"He always performs at the same high level.

"With some players, you never know if you can count on them. Sometimes they’re good enough to play for Real Madrid, and the next game they’re not even good enough for the reserves. [Sabitzer] stands out because he always plays well and is completely stable.”

Therefore, it certainly seems as if he would be a good addition to Mourinho's squad, and Lo Celso may well struggle for regular first-team football if the Austrian arrives.

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