Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to the Wolves made it clear to almost everyone, if they didn’t already know, that the Spurs need defensive additions this summer.
A mowed line from Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son was able to perform well, but they, as well as midfielder Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso, were disappointed with poor defense.
A litany of errors cost Jose Mourinho’s side to Davinson Sanchez, the main culprit, even if Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga and Ben Davies did not cover themselves with glory either.
Throughout this campaign, the decline of Jan Vertonghen and the recent tremors of Toby Alderweireld have already seen the Spurs lose and shoot when three points should have been on the board.
In the Premier League alone, they scored 39 goals – 14 more than Sheffield United and nine more than Manchester United – so Mourinho will know exactly where he needs to work this summer.
Before the defeat against the Wolves, Tanganga had been promising and, in all likelihood, will save the club millions if it continues to take over as expected.
But still, while Vertonghen is about to exit, Alderweireld is no longer as reliable as it used to be, and Juan Foyth should be moved after his costly mistake against Norwich, at least one central defender will be a priority in N17.
But who are the players that Mourinho will target, because he seems ready to review his defense? talkSPORT.com takes a look at five realistic options…
Ruben Dias (Benfica)
It is perhaps not surprising that Mourinho may well return to Portugal to take on a central defender to give his propensity to sign compatriots.
Gedson Fernandes has already walked the path from Estadio da Luz to Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Dias almost joined Mourinho at Manchester United but it was ultimately Victor Lindelof who moved to Old Trafford.
Still only 22 years old, he is intelligent in possession and has a calm defense presence which reacts well under difficult circumstances.
He’s only 6 feet 1 inch, but competes well in the air, even against powerful opponents, suggesting that it may well be an upgrade from Sanchez in defense of the Spurs.
Dias also has experience in the Champions League and international, which should not be sniffed.
Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
At only 21, Upamecano is one of the most sought after footballers in the world.
A solid defender, good in the air, good with the ball at his feet and able to play in a back-three or a back-four, he has everything Mourinho could wish for and more.
The Portuguese boss will have seen a lot of central defender in his research on the German team, which the Spurs play in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And a good performance in the return match next week could influence the Spurs.
It won’t be cheap though, so moving for the Frenchman may well depend on who their other targets are around the pitch this summer.
Upamecano also insisted that he was satisfied with the champions of the Bundesliga title, so it is not for granted, he will move forward immediately.
Meanwhile, his injury record could also warrant a pause for thought.
Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Currently, with Jan Vertonghen looking at a shadow of his former self, a left center back is a high priority for the Spurs.
Even though he is not incredibly left-handed, Elvedi played this role in a 4-2-3-1 formation for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Bundesliga seems to be an interesting club for the Spurs, or at least for their scouts, with Denis Zakaria and Matthias Ginter as targets.
So it would not be surprising to see Elvedi also on the radar.
He is heavily involved in their rear construction, which can also win him favor with club analysts.
Gabriel (Lille)
Another left central defender, although this time he is left-handed, Gabriel will be well known to Mourinho’s coaches.
The tastes of assistant Joao Sacramento worked for Lille before joining the Spurs and helped the 22-year-old to integrate the first team.
Sacramento arrived at the French club just two days before Gabriel signed so that he knew everything about the Brazilian.
A solid defender of the forefoot, he is happy to get stuck and stop the attackers in their tracks.
In aerial terms, he is not as dominant as the others, but is doing quite well, and even if he may not have the finesse of Vertonghen, Gabriel is happy to change the game with long range passes.
Duje Caleta-Car (Marseille)
When a player, via smarterscout, approaches Kalidou Koulibaly, Harry Maguire, Willy Boly and Aymeric Laporte during the last season in Spain, it is worth keeping an eye on.
In no case a finished article, the Croatian has edges that must be smoothed but it is a physical defender who is also a follower of the ball at his feet.
At 6 feet 3 inches, as you can imagine, he is an excellent air competitor and rarely beaten by his opponents or scorers during set pieces.
Left central defender who changes game and is confident with longer passes, Caleta-Car would seem ideal for Mourinho – but it could take him time to fold if he had to make a move in the Premier League.
At 23, he could be a nice long-term signature for the Spurs.