Opinion: How I think Spurs should line up with new January signings
The transfer window has slammed shut and Spurs have seemingly avoided disaster after a rough go for most of the window. We can look ahead to what the squad could look like with the new additions of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, as well as the offloading of Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso, […]
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The transfer window has slammed shut and Spurs have seemingly avoided disaster after a rough go for most of the window.
We can look ahead to what the squad could look like with the new additions of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, as well as the offloading of Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso, Dele Alli, and Jack Clarke.
Here is a look of what a Tottenham XI could look like with the new additions and with everyone healthy, set up in Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-5-2 formation.
Goalkeeper:
Hugo Lloris
Easy pick here. Having recently signed a new contract until 2024 (Sky Sports), the captain of the club and World Cup winner is the obvious No. 1 choice for Conte.
Defenders:
Davinson Sanchez
Sanchez has made 14 appearances in the Premier League this season (22 across all competitions), including notching a stoppage-time winner against Watford (TransferMarkt).
The Colombian has been vital to Spurs, seeing action in nine of 10 matches under Conte, while playing the full 90 in eight of them.
Eric Dier
Having seen action in 19 league matches (18 starts) this season, Dier has played every minute of every game he’s played except for one – vs Crystal Palace (TransferMarkt).
After nursing an injury in the comeback against Leicester, Dier returned to play the full 90 against Chelsea before the international break.
Cristian Romero
The 2020-21 Serie A Best Defender, Romero has played just seven league games this season thanks to a hamstring injury (TransferMarkt).
But according to Antonio Conte, Romero’s return is ‘very close’, possibly as soon as the February 5 FA Cup match against Brighton (The Athletic).
His return would bolster the backline as Spurs push for a top-four finish in the second half of the campaign.
Midfield:
Dejan Kulusevski
One of the two additions via the January transfer window, Kulusevski brings much-needed depth in the midfield, especially after the departures of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli.
The Swedish international made 27 appearances in all competitions for Juventus before arriving in North London on deadline day (TransferMarkt).
Tallying two goals and three assists, his numbers aren’t flashy, but he brings creativity to the team while also being able to play multiple positions and having plenty of potential at just 21 years of age.
Rodrigo Bentancur
Another Juventus acquisition, Bentancur adds a second midfield piece to help Spurs push for a top-four finish.
The Uruguayan international is more on the side of a defensive midfielder, tallying just three assists in 26 matches for Juventus before his move (TransferMarkt).
He should help Spurs defensively more than creatively, but that isn’t a bad thing considering they could use some more clean sheets to build upon a +2-goal difference.
Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg
The do-it-all midfielder since he arrived at Spurs, Höjbjerg has appeared in 29 matches this season, adding three goals and two assists to his strong presence in the middle of the park (TransferMarkt).
But if Tottenham is to make the top four, Höjbjerg needs to stay healthy and can’t be counted on to play every minute – it was apparent he ran out of gas at the end of last season. Adding midfield pieces during the window that will actually see the field – as well as having Oliver Skipp as an option – Höjbjerg can be kept fresh for the second-half run.
Sergio Reguilon
While he hasn’t always lived up to his potential after a transfer from Sevilla, Reguilon has shown flashes of who he can be when healthy and in a good position.
Having played 22 matches this season – adding a goal and three assists – Reguilon has shown he can come forward on the left side while also tracking back to play defence (TransferMarkt).
His versatility is key in him seeing the field on a regular basis.
Forwards:
Lucas Moura
Moura has had some moments of brilliance but also struggled at times since arriving at Spurs. But what is apparent is that when he is on his game, he is a great option in attack alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Registering six goals and five assists this season, Moura brings creativity and speed for a Tottenham attack (TransferMarkt).
What would be even better is if he could find more consistency, with Spurs having struggled for goals in multiple matches this campaign.
Harry Kane
While he had a slow start to the campaign, Kane has started to come into form recently, scoring a goal in four of the last six Premier League matches.
With 13 goals and three assists across all competitions, Kane isn’t anywhere near the numbers he put up last season when he led the top flight in goals and assists (TransferMarkt).
The team needs Kane to continue his upward trend though if they are to have a shot at the top four and Champions League spot.
Son Heung-min
With eight goals and four assists in the league, Son has been Spurs’ best attacking player so far this season (TransferMarkt).
What is even more apparent is how badly Tottenham needs his creativity and the goal-scoring ability in the three games he has missed. If it weren’t for a late comeback at the King Power Stadium, Spurs would have lost all three matches.
Even so, two shutout losses against Chelsea showed how vital Son is. He needs to stay healthy and in form for the club to reach next season’s Champions League.
How do you think Spurs should line up when the squad is at full strength?
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