Antonio Conte’s five Tottenham options in Son Heung-min’s absence

The Dele Alli option

Again, this is assuming Dele Alli isn’t going anywhere, a more likely outcome considering Sonny’s latest development. Dele enjoyed a solid outing in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, but followed it up with a substandard performance against Southampton. Against Southampton Conte employed a slightly altered 3-4-2-1 formation in which Dele played on the right side of the advanced two. Sonny played on the left. Dele endured an inefficient match and was eventually withdrawn in the 62nd minute.

Against Liverpool Dele was part of the three-man midfield in Conte’s 5-3-2 formation. The five at the back morphed more often into a three, with the two wingbacks playing in a more advanced position. Dele played on the left side of the trio in central midfield, but was given a freer role in which he frequently supported Kane and Sonny in an almost quasi No. 10 role. In that system he was effective, though a number of Liverpool’s first-team missed out due to Covid-19 or injury.

If Conte decides to give Dele another shot in the starting team, a distinct possibility, will he alter the formation to suit the English midfielder?

Dele’s best position is as a roaming No. 10, where he supports the front man (or men) and isn’t expected to relentlessly track back and defend. But that would mean Conte would probably have to switch to a 3-4-1-2 or, like he did against Southampton, employ a 3-4-2-1, which didn’t have its desired impact.

While he can play on the left side of Conte’s customary 3-4-3, his influence in that role has historically underwhelmed.