How Millwall and Japhet Tanganga Have Been Good for Each Other – and Comparisons with Similar Centre-Backs in the Championship
Japhet Tanganga’s move to Millwall has proven to be a masterstroke for both the player and the club. For Millwall, it meant acquiring a defender of Premier League calibre. For Tanganga, it marked the relaunch of a once-promising career that had stalled at Tottenham Hotspur.
Still only 26, Tanganga arrived at The Den with a point to prove. Injuries and managerial changes at Spurs had curtailed his development, but there was no doubting the ability. This is, after all, a player who was named man of the match when Tottenham defeated Manchester City 1-0 in August 2021. Tasked with containing both Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish on his flank, Tanganga’s fearless defending that day seemed to signal the beginning of a top-level career.
But by the start of 2024, Tanganga found himself at a crossroads. Loan spells failed to bring stability, and regular football was elusive. Enter Millwall. The Lions offered him a platform – competitive football, a passionate fanbase, and the opportunity to lead a defensive unit. Tanganga didn’t just take that chance – he seized it.
Now one of the first names on Joe Edwards’ team sheet, Tanganga has brought calm, composure, and aggression to Millwall’s back line. His positional awareness and athleticism have been key to the team’s solid defensive record. He’s also added goals, like the header against Oxford United that underlined his growing confidence and leadership role.
The fit has been mutually beneficial. Millwall get a player who might otherwise be out of their reach. Tanganga, meanwhile, is rebuilding his career in the right way – by playing consistently and influencing games.
Comparisons with other top Championship centre-backs help underline Tanganga’s quality. Take Jacob Greaves at Hull City – another athletic, forward-thinking defender with Premier League potential. Or Paddy McNair at Middlesbrough – experienced, versatile, and dependable. While Greaves and McNair offer strong leadership and consistency, Tanganga arguably has the highest ceiling of all three, having been tested at the very top level.
Another apt comparison is Ronnie Edwards at Southampton. Edwards is highly rated for his ball-playing ability and tactical intelligence, but lacks Tanganga’s physicality and top-flight exposure. The Spurs academy graduate brings a blend of old-school defending with modern mobility – a rare asset in a division where styles and systems vary wildly from week to week.
Perhaps what makes Tanganga stand out most is his hunger. There’s a quiet intensity about his game – a determination to reassert himself and prove he belongs at the top. And Millwall have provided the ideal environment for that to flourish.
Whether the club can keep him beyond the summer is another question. But whatever happens, Japhet Tanganga’s spell at The Den will be remembered as a mutually rewarding chapter – one that restored belief, stability, and a sense of purpose to a defender still capable of reaching the very highest level.
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