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Projecting Conte’s first Tottenham Hotspur EPL XI vs Everton

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between Tottenham Hotspur and Vitesse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 4, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between Tottenham Hotspur and Vitesse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 4, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian defender Emerson Royal (2R) tries to hold off West Ham United's Algerian midfielder Said Benrahma (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at The London Stadium in east London on October 24, 2021 (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur’s Brazilian defender Emerson Royal (2R) tries to hold off West Ham United’s Algerian midfielder Said Benrahma (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at The London Stadium in east London on October 24, 2021 (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Projected Spurs Midfield

Tottenham played with four across the midfield as part of their 3-4-2-1 set-up against Vitesse and that is likely to continue against Everton, who likes to attack the middle and use the width. Spurs had the outside players very much in attack mode until the red card, it will be interesting to see if they can again be on the front foot against the Toffees 4-4-1-1 structure.

Left wingback – Sergio Reguilon

A big part of the early success for Tottenham was the play on the left. Both Sergio Reguilon and Ben Davies were able to move over forward up the pitch. Reguilon was providing good width and the team will need that to try and keep former Spur Andros Townsend more concerned about his box than ours.

Central midfield – Oliver Skipp

Oliver Skipp looked very comfortable in the first half in Conte’s set-up. Playing in a more box-to-box role than he was in the 4-2-3-1 Skipp was a little bit of everywhere in the first half on Thursday. Substituted like Moura and Son with Sunday in mind after the red card, Skipp looked like he has the energy and on-the-ball ability to work the middle of the park in a pair.

Central midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg

Like Skipp, Pierre Hojbjerg had a different role against Vitesse than he has had most of the season. With the freedom to tackle and track in the attacking half – as well as some coordinated support – Hojbjerg looked good, particularly before the card. Hojbjerg hit one swerving pass in particular wide to Sergio Reguilon that shows the Dane has more to show us as he continues to grow.

Right wingback – Emerson Royal

Just as Reguilon was a constant outlet on the left, Emerson Royal was a force on the right. Royal possesses a motor that allows him to go box-to-box up and down the flank with the ease of a deer running through a meadow. Flailing on the ground less often and using stepovers or serving up crosses more often, Royal seems to fit Conte’s system like a glove.