Why Amrabat profile makes sense for Conte and Tottenham

The time for Tottenham to make any signings is dwindling and while not a name that excites the masses, a player like Sofyan Amrabat does make sense for Spurs. 

There is little doubt that most Tottenham fans want a big-name signing, someone we think will flip the top four race into the favour of Spurs.  However, big-name signings are not necessarily what Spurs coach Antonio Conte is all about. Rather, the Italian is preaching patience and the need to build the squad, which makes the idea of signing Sofyan Amrabat – or a similar player – makes sense.

Two for every position at Tottenham, even Hojbjerg’s

Since he arrived at N17, Conte has talked about the need to build the depth at Tottenham Hotspur, as he wants two players at every position. Many may see Oliver Skipp, Harry Winks, and Pierre Hojbjerg as interchangeable but clearly, Conte and Spurs’ leadership does not.

After playing 100% of the minutes in the league last season, Hojbjerg has only played 94% of the available league minutes for Spurs. This averages to 89 minutes per match versus the 90 Pierre played last season, which is still incredibly high. Really too high for a player who is supposed to go box-to-box and should be contributing at both ends.

If you go beyond the minutes Amrabat is – or is not – playing at Fiorentina this season, you actually see a player that does many of the things that Hojbjerg does and even a few things he does not. So what does Amrabat bring?

Amrabat is a defence first midfielder

First and foremost, Amrabat is a defensive midfielder who is good at pressuring the ball in the centre of the park and at making tackles, particularly in the defensive third. Does he commit his share of fouls, yes, but he is also really good at making tackles, and in a better team like Spurs he should see fewer fouls and more tackles, the way Hojbjerg has.

Amrabat is a good tackler, strong on the ball, and excellent at blocking; bringing the attributes Conte clearly likes to the middle of the pitch.

Spurs have been lacking the long ball

There is little doubt that Amrabat is a defensive midfielder as his contributions on the offensive end are limited. However, if you start thinking in terms of hockey assists like we used to with say Toby Alderweireld, you get a different sense of what Amrabat can bring.

Unlike Hojbjerg or Winks, Amrabat is not a volume passer, he is more of a direct passer who likes to play long balls. Amrabat has completed over 80% of his passes over 30 yards in his three seasons in Serie A according to Fbref. Those 5-8 extra long balls and 2-3 extra switches per game are not something Spurs get a lot from in the midfield at current and are exactly what Amrabat will bring.

Amrabat has a little Dembele in him too

I am in no way saying that Amrabat is the next Moussa Dembele, I simply have not seen enough of him to make that proclamation. However, if you watch any highlights of Amrabat you cannot help but see some of the similarities the Moroccan has to Spurs former midfielder when he is on the ball.

Amrabat is good-sized at 1.85 m (6’+) and knows how to use his body well. His ability to hold off defenders and shield the ball in possession is very reminiscent of the work Dembele used to do at the Lane. That confidence on the ball in tight spaces is something Spurs need more of.

Amrabat leverages this ability to be a strong dribbler, completing more than 70% of his dribbles and nearly two per match. This ability to push the ball forward from defence with either the long pass or the quick up-tempo dribble does offer something lacking in Spurs midfield, without giving up any of that defensive bite.

Ultimately, Tottenham may not sign Amrabat but you bet they are looking for some cover for Pierre Hojbjerg as much as they are looking for cover for Harry Kane. Having two players at each position is not a luxury, it is a requirement and in that case, Amrabat can fit the bill.