Tottenham Hotspur have finished in the top three of the Premier League thrice in the last four seasons, even once as a runner-up. Last season, they finished fourth and reached the final of the Champions League despite a self-imposed transfer ban due to the building of their new stadium. However, this summer they spent more than €100 million in the transfer window; signing bright young names such as Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso (on loan), and Ryan Sessegnon.
Mauricio Pochettino proved himself as a tactical genius last season as he managed injury-laden Tottenham to their first-ever European final since 1984. Domestically, he helped Spurs to get 76 points on average in the last four league campaigns and took them to three domestic semi-finals in the same period. With a considerably promising transfer window and most of the squad getting to their prime age, it seems that this season Tottenham could put some serious challenge for trophies.
This tactical analysis scout report will break down how Pochettino’s Spurs could sail through the season, and probably bringing silverware to the white side of North London.
Shapes of Spurs
Pochettino’s Tottenham are known as a team able to play in multiple shapes and systems. Last season they used a broad range of formations from 4–2–3–1, 3–4–3, and 5–3–2. This campaign— as from what they showed in their pre-season matches — Spurs probably could play regularly in a back-four system; either with 4–2–3–1 or 4–4–2 diamond.
With lots of midfielders but few natural strikers, it seems that Tottenham could use 4–2–3–1 as their preferred shape. Serge Aurier could probably start as a regular right-back this season because newly-converted Juan Foyth hasn’t been able to show enough quality for Spurs in that role.
Harry Winks would be given a huge task to orchestrate the midfield with either Tanguy Ndombele or Moussa Sissoko supporting him. Real Betis loanee Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen could also play in the double-pivot system despite their offensive tendencies, especially when facing lesser sides.
In the flanks, last season’s great performance by Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min would almost guarantee them a starting place in this campaign. Talisman Kane will likely be supported by his fellow Englishman Dele Alli, as both of their spatial awareness and quality on the ball would support each other.
Based on that, their strongest side to play in the 4–2–3–1 is as follows:
Hugo Lloris; Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Winks; Lucas Moura, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min; Harry Kane.
Not only that, Spurs can rotate their squad and tactics week-in-week-out due to their great depth. Names like Erik Lamela, Eric Dier, as well as newcomers Lo Celso and Sessegnon would be very useful from the bench.
Calm and composed from the back
Pochettino’s Tottenham like to play possession-based football and prefer to build their play from the back rather than relying on physical duels with more direct balls. In their build-ups, one of the pivots would drop in between the centre-halves while the other would stay higher to receive the pass from the back. The goalkeeper than would have at least three potential passing options, which allows Tottenham to initiate their build-ups more smoothly.
If all the near passing lanes are closed, the goalkeeper or the on-ball centre-back could play the ball to the flanks due to the wide and advanced positioning of the full-backs. The receiving full-back then can lay the ball off to the advanced holding midfielder or carrying the ball forward on his own if there’s a space to roam into.
The Argentinian manager is yet to unleash a new tactical invention regarding the new goal-kick rule, but with his team’s tendency to build their play from the back it will be very interesting to see how he adapts to that.
