Victor Wanyama retired last month, and it has never been more apparent how Tottenham miss a player like him. It could be argued Spurs never effectively replaced him in the years since he left even though many seasons have passed, particularly since his dominant time in the 2016-17 season.
Wanyama was signed from Southampton in 2016 having previously had successful spells with Southampton and Celtic. His first season with Tottenham was our last at White Hart Lane and we enjoyed an entire season unbeaten at home. It was a strong team all around but Wanyama, and his partnership with Moussa Dembele, was key to this.
Both players had a great ability to win the ball back quickly with their positioning, tackling, and physical strength outmatching most opponents. As a result, many games saw us inflict wave upon wave of attacks on the opposition, who very often appeared suffocated. While Dembele would get forward and create more with Wanyama more often sitting, both players excelled at winning the ball and moving it quickly to our talented forwards. Wanyama created not just a screen in front of the defenders, but a wall that also served as a springboard for attacks. Despite finishing 2nd that season, we scored both the most goals in the Premier League and conceded the fewest.
Victor Wanyama had quality on the ball
A particular memory of this was when we beat Swansea 5-0 that season. The opposition could barely get across the halfway line. But winning comfortably while scoring 3 or 4 goals seemed common then, and we ended the season with consecutive away wins: 6-1 at Leicester and 7-1 at Hull.
Following that season, Wanyama's appearances became more limited as injuries persisted, eventually leaving the club in 2020. There were still highlights though, and not all defensive ones. An unforgettable strike in 2018 against Liverpool at Anfield won him the goal of the month. After coming off the bench (as a sub for Dembele), Wanyama unleashed an unstoppable shot from well outside the box into the top corner as we earned a point.
All of this seems so far from where are today, though it's not just this season where Spurs have had issues winning the ball back. It is true we look more fragile than ever this season with teams able to play through our midfield with shocking ease, but in recent years we have often involved more ball-playing midfielders.
Some of these have had the required ability for the level we want and many have not, none of them have had that same dominant style Wanyama brought in his relatively short time with the club. Rodrigo Bentancur can at times win the ball and break up play effectively, but uses anticipation, positioning, and reading of the game to do so. Not with the presence that allows that quick transition Wanyama and Dembele brought. João Palhinha displayed more similar traits at Fulham. He started well for us this season, but form has dipped dramatically. Still, he is best positioned to do this for us in the final critical 4 games.
There are problems all over the pitch of course for Tottenham, but longer term though this is a key element for De Zerbi to address, whether this be in the Premier League or the Championship. Thanks for the memories of better times, Victor!
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