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Tottenham Hotspur Modified XI to Beat Sheffield United

By Aaron Coe

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Caraboa Cup Quarter Final match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on December 23, 2020 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Caraboa Cup Quarter Final match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on December 23, 2020 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham, Harry Kane, Celebrate
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates Tanguy NDombele and Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg. (Photo by Glyn Kirk – Pool/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Midfield and Attack

Tottenham Hotspur line up slightly differently as we get a new midfield combination with Pierre Højbjerg as the lone holding midfielder behind Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli. In what is more of a 4-1-4-1 line-up, Tottenham looks to get more from the attack and out of the middle of the pitch than we have been seeing.

Pierre Højbjerg – (DM)

Pierre Højbjerg is again starting at defensive midfield for Tottenham. Considering he has played every minute in the Premier League this season, it is not a surprise. What is slightly more surprising is that Pierre Højbjerg is going to be left alone to guard the defense. While having Pierre Højbjerg make tackles in the attacking half is great, when he is not protecting the defense bad things happen. Instead of moving Pierre Højbjerg all over the field, maybe it is time for him to play in the holding midfielder role he was brought to Tottenham to play.

Heung-Min Son – (LM)

With four across behind a lone striker in Harry Kane and in front of a lone holding player in Pierre Højbjerg, there is no question who is on the left, Heung-Min Son. To say Son has cooled off from his hot start is probably an understatement. The South Korean superstar had three good chances against Fulham and did not convert on any of them. His shot off the post in particular hurt as the Cottagers scored just a minute later. Look for Son to bounce back against Sheffield.

Tanguy Ndombele – (CM)

One of the two central midfielders must be Tanguy Ndombele. Ndombele has been getting better and better for Tottenham and is finding himself more and more a part of the attack. Deceptively effective on the press and excellent in possession, Ndombele has been the best of a sorry lot in the middle of the pitch all season. Tottenham need Ndombele on the ball and creating, but they also need him getting real support in the midfield to do it.

Dele Alli – (CM)

Dele Alli is best as a false nine, but that is not really a position in the current set-up. However, Dele is a capable passer, a willing runner, and an adequate defender. With Pierre Højbjerg behind him and Ndombele next to him, Dele should have the freedom to move around and make plays. This Spurs team is calling out for playmaking and he is the best playmaker on the pine.

Steven Bergwijn – (RM)

According to José Mourinho, Steven Bergwijn has been ill, which is why he had missed some time. While many would like to see Gareth Bale, it is becoming more and more apparent that Bale is not going to be a game changer, whereas Bergwijn certainly can be. Not yet hitting the heights Spurs know he is capable of Tottenham, need a good game from Stevie and he is going to deliver. Part of the reason to play Bergwijn is also his willingness to get back defensively and with young Japhet Tanganga behind him, the extra cover is appreciated.

Harry Kane – (ST)

Harry Kane is the lone striker in the set-up, but this is nothing new. Even with two central players behind him, there is plenty of room to drop deep still, as Dele Alli is excellent at making runs off the ball. Before Kane had the connection, he does with Son, some say he had that same connection with Dele. It would be great to see that connection revisited and playing them together is how that happens. Kane has been doing what he can, but his load is too much, and he needs help.