Transfer moves for Tottenham Hotspur to reconsider in winter window
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham may still lack that creativity
One area that fans certainly have felt was not adequately addressed was the attacking or creative midfield position. In the Santo 4-3-3 system, there are essentially the Lilywhites are playing with one six – Oliver Skipp – and two eights – Dele Alli and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
This system and the trio have provided plenty of graft and cover for the defense playing a big part in the three clean sheets to start the season. Alternatively, the team has only scored 3 goals and there are questions about how much creativity and play-making the team can get from Dele and Højbjerg,
One way Tottenham combats the issue is using the front three – most notably Harry Kane – to rotate turns dropping deep playing in a number 10 role connecting the midfield and attack. When teams start parking the bus and there is no room to drop deep, you do have to wonder if the Spurs have the keys to unlock those buses.
Giovani Lo Celso and in a somewhat surprising move – he played mostly winger in Spain – Bryan Gil both add some creativity to the midfield. However, whether Lo Celso will be available for enough matches to consistently impact proceedings will be a lingering question. Likewise, Bryan is young and untested in the Premier League, while possibly a future midfield dynamo given his ability and engine, is he ready?
Maybe the answer is Tanguy Ndombele but…
Ultimately, it is quite realistic to wonder if Tottenham still needs more help in the middle.
Two players linked with Tottenham this summer in the midfield were Weston McKennie and Mikkel Damsgaard. Of the two McKennie is more in the Skipp, Højbjerg’s role as a hard-working defense-first midfielder who can get into the box from time to time.
Damsgaard is a very interesting alternative. Give more responsibility with Denmark following Christian Eriksen’s health issues, Damsgaard has flourished on the international scene and has a nice partnership with Pierre Højbjerg. The 21-year old can play in the middle or on the wing and would be a nice addition to the front four/five for Tottenham. With a value that just keeps rising, and contracted until 2024 at UC Sampdoria in Serie A, January may be the time for the Spurs to pounce.