Postecoglou hints at position ‘further forward’ for Rodrigo Bentancur at Spurs
Ange Postecoglou has insisted that Rodrigo Bentancur can play as a 6 or further forward as an 8 for Tottenham this season.
Tottenham head into the weekend just two points off the top of the Premier League table. Things are extremely tight between Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs in the top four, as well as Aston Villa waiting to pounce down in fifth.
In fact, if Unai Emery can mastermind an away win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, the Lilywhites will drop down into fifth and Villa will take their place in the top four.
Spurs will likely have to field a back two of Eric Dier and Ben Davies, with Cristian Romero still banned and Micky Van de Ven out injured until the new year. The creativity of James Maddison will also be missed in the Lilywhite midfield.
Ange Postecoglou, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the pre-match press conference between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, pre-season friendly football match at Rajamangala Stadium on July 23, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Vachira Vachira/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Could Rodrigo Bentancur replace Maddison for now?
However, Postecoglou has revealed that he thinks Rodrigo Bentancur can play further forward in a number 8 position, as well as playing as a number 6.
He said (Football London): “I think he can play a couple of different areas. He can play as a No.6 or further forward as a No.8.”
On whether Bentancur playing as a 6 is better while he works his way back to fitness, Postecoglou added: “Yeah, potentially. It’s probably why Marcelo [Bielsa] probably used him like that for Uruguay. He did it really well and he can play there.”
On Bentancur’s fitness, Ange said: “He’s fine. He trained this morning so it was good for Roddy to play. He was really keen to get back into the international team setup, and obviously keen to get back with us as well.
“But he missed a lot with the national team and he feels, like most players, really proud of representing his country. The fact he got an opportunity to start is good for us – it gives him that confidence that he’s able to get through a game.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
I think Bentancur is probably the best James Maddison replacement in the Spurs squad once he is fully fit. He has a very different style to Maddison, but the Uruguayan can find pockets to drive through and has a good eye for a pass in the final third.
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