Competition for Places About to Heat up at Tottenham Hotspur
By Aaron Coe
The Mish Mash Midfield of Tottenham
Tottenham have three total midfield spots, whether they are playing a flat three, a triangle with one at the base and two in attack, or the preferred triangle with two at the base and one in attack, there are only three midfield spots for Tottenham. We have already established one of those three midfield spots is unquestionably taken by Pierre Højbjerg.
This leaves two midfield places and seven different players competing for them not including Højbjerg but including Gedson Fernandes – who is not part of the Europa League squad. Given Tottenham most often play with two holding midfielders and one attacker supporting the front three, that further divides the midfield unit.
Spurs Holding Midfielders
As midfielders I am sure all seven of them can play in a holding role like Højbjerg does, but it is usually only one of two players who line-up next to Højbjerg, either Moussa Sissoko or Harry Winks. Each player brings something different, but either way it compliments the all-around game of Højbjerg that is built on stout defending.
Sissoko brings more box-to-box athleticism and can at times be dynamic on the counterattack. An always willing defender, Sissoko is more about effort than anything else, which is one thing that has endeared him to both fans and the coaches. Winks is more about steadiness in terms of his ability to handle the ball under pressure and pass his way out of trouble. Of the two Sissoko has been playing better, but we should not count out Harry Winks yet, although if his confidence does not improve soon his opportunities may become more limited.
Spurs Attacking Midfielders
On the attacking side of midfield, things get crowded as you have four players, Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso, and Erik Lamela all competing for the coveted number 10 role sitting behind Harry Kane. While Dele, Lo Celso, and Ndombele can all play in a holding role, it is obvious they are all better players further forward. Lamela can also play as a striker or winger so he has options as well, but in reality, the player who is one form is going to be the one of the four to play meaning some big names will be on the bench and completely left out nearly every Premier League match, as Jose cannot afford to have all four involved as he would be short elsewhere.
The competition for this position is going to be the most interesting on the team. We might want to also remember if none of them really work out great and Vinicius starts to hit his stride, Harry Kane maybe is the best #10 on the team and could kick all four to the curb. And as for Gedson, he is a man without a position, which may soon make him a man back in Portugal as he is not currently good enough to compete with any of the players just discussed; meaning his loan is likely to end sooner than later.