Marcos Senesi is an Argentine international and a World Cup finalist. Marcos Senesi was tied for second in assists among Premier League defenders last year. Among those same defenders, Marcos Senesi was in the top-ten in duels won, blocks, clearances, touches, and minutes. Marcos Senesi now plays for Tottenham Hotspurs. Marcos Senesi will be a bench player.
It’s worth repeating his name because, since signing with Spurs in June, no YouTuber has placed him in Tottenham's best starting 11. No pundit has filled air time by talking about his potential. And the fans—or perhaps the fanatics—who watch Spurs preseason games haven’t seen him. He’s still on a well-earned break following a stellar season at Bournemouth and a run to the finals in the World Cup.
Senesi has flown under the radar probably because he didn’t cost £100 million like midfielder Sandro Tonali. He didn’t cost £85 million like midfielder Matheus Fernandes. Senesi didn’t even cost £52 million like fellow centre back Jan Paul van Hecke. Senesi, in fact, cost nothing. He came to North London as a free agent. Any remaining excitement over Senesi joining Spurs was eclipsed by centre back Micky van de Ven recently signing a new, long-term contract with the club.
Marcos Senesi is beyond elite on the ball
Manager Roberto De Zerbi will almost certainly start Van Hecke and van de Ven at the back, relegating Senesi to the bench. De Zerbi won’t be wrong for selecting the Dutchmen, not with their talent and salaries, but it’s notable, if not puzzling that Spurs will leave underutilized one of the best defenders in the Premier League. That’s especially so because Senesi perfectly fits De Zerbi’s style of play.
Senesi last year was in the 100th percentile in progressive passes completed and in the 90th percentile in progressive carries. What’s more, he was in the 97th percentile in possessions won and he led all Premier League defenders in expected assists. The dude loves having the ball. More importantly, he’s good at having the ball. De Zerbi wants to play out from the back and control possession. Senesi should be his godsend.
Senesi also adds skills that his fellow centre backs don’t, as data from DataMB indicate. van Hecke is an all-around contributor, and van de Ven uses his speed to be more involved offensively (and to recover defensively). Kevin Danso, for his part, excels in the air and ably covers other duties as assigned. But only Senesi wins the ball and sets up the attack so effectively. He offers a unique skillset that Tottenham wouldn’t have if not for his signing.
There are plenty of things for Spurs supporters to worry about as the 2026/27 season draws near. Is Antonin Kinsky actually good enough to be first-choice keeper? Will Tottenham ever have a reliable number nine in the post-Harry Kane era? And where are these “bambas” that De Zerbi claimed are coming?
One aspect of the team we don’t need to sweat is centre back, and that’s because, in the case of injury and for the odd cup tie, we have who could be the most underrated signing this summer. His name is Marcos Senesi.
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