Kevin Danso is Tottenham’s best centre-back. No, really.
Several things became clear during Tottenham’s 5-1 romp over Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Mikey Moore possesses quality. Savio is Spurs’ most dangerous attacker in years. And Kevin Danso is the club’s best central defender.
Yes, that’s right. On a team that employs the expensive Dutch duo in Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, as well as able veterans in Marcos Senesi and Ben Davies, it is the unsung Austrian who is, right now, the best centre-back on the roster.
Danso played 25 minutes against Charlton Athletic, and within two minutes he was on the score sheet. Not only did he shake his defender to meet Mateus Fernandes’ free kick from outside the box, but in doing so he also sacrificed his face when heading the ball into the net. A late challenge from a Charlton defender clipped Danso’s left brow, which required him to receive treatment and a new jersey devoid of bloodstains.
If that’s not enough, late in the second half Danso scrapped for the ball deep in Tottenham’s half and ultimately won possession back for his team, which had understandably taken its foot off the gas. In 25 minutes, Danso accumulated four defensive contributions. He had replaced van Hecke, who compiled two in 65 minutes.
Danso’s defensive work will almost never make the highlights, but it represents the kind of commitment and selflessness that Tottenham needed last year to avoid the drop. It’s the kind of commitment and selflessness that Tottenham need this year to compete for European spots.
Kevin Danso isn’t just grit. His metrics indicate he offers a unique skillset.
According to DataMB, Tottenham’s top four centre-backs—van de Ven, van Hecke, Senesi, and Danso—offered different skillsets last season. van Hecke was the all-around contributor, while van de Ven is one of the fastest players ever, allowing him to recover defensively after being involved in the attack. Senesi was excellent on the ball, while Danso was elite in the air. He finished the year in the 85th percentile in aerial duels.
At the same time, Danso compared favorably with the Dutchmen on forward pass percentage, nearly equaled Senesi’s elite skill in winning possession, and even exceeded van de Ven in defensive duel percentage, carrying, and passing. Danso had similar data to heralded Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who was sold to Liverpool for £55 million. Tottenham acquired Danso from Lens in 2025 for less than half that. Whereas Jacquet went right in Liverpool's starting lineup, Danso is riding the pine in North London.
Factoring in Danso's transfer fee, his relatively low wages, and his skillset - as well as van Hecke's struggles so far this season and van de Ven lack of fitness - Kevin Danso is Spurs’ best central defender. Just keep that quiet until the transfer window closes.
