Football London correspondent Allasdair Gold talked with Ange about reinforcements of the squad in forward line which is not yet on the level to fight for the Premier League title. Tottenham coach said player should be of his "mould" like Japanese attacker he's got in Celtic. Few fans including myself asked what that "mould" is ?
If you ask me striker should have pace, should be able to control ball very well, to unmark himself quickly and of course to shoot on goal and score. He should also have physicality to wrestle with defenders, to have decent height, he should be pressing and ball recovery machine without the ball. That is mould of attacker for me. Spurs will open talks with Solanke, maybe Ivan Toney, maybe Johnathan David, maybe someone else... We all know it will go hard with negotiator like Daniel Levy. However saying all that, I asked myself is solution for this problem already in our squad in front of our eyes ?
There is player with all those qualities, but he's playing in position of left central defender. He's probably the fastest in league, he showed he can unmark and score vs Luton away, he showed he can shoot on target and score Van Basten type of screamer. I still remember non believing face of opponent goalkeeper who didn't even move when rocket ball ended inside his net. On top of that he has height, he has strength to wrestle with defenders. He's skillful defender in this moment with great knowledge how to take ball away from opponent and how to tackle. Imagine you are defender and such player is running toward you. What kind of fear and dread that would cause ? How many forced mistakes and lost balls do you see among opponent defenders in this scenario ? I see plenty. Man could be pressing and ball recovery machine upfront.
Yes, yes I already hear you screaming you're insane, he's defender, no way etc... I must tell you that Bale was left back at some point and then genius brain of coach moved him forward and he became what he was. C. Ronaldo was winger in Manchester United and then genius brain of coach moved him on striker position. I thought he's crazy, but before I said cheese he was in Real Madrid winning Ballon d'ors and Champions Leagues to become one of the best players in the world of all times.
Yes, this requires some courage of coach, it might not work, but I doubt it will not. Guy is mix of Mbape and Van Basten and Spurs are using him to chase opponents who run in counter attacks. Yes, if he is forward someone fast need to come to play LCB, but I guess you can find quality left footed central defender in transfer market easier than striker which ticks all boxes.
If this doesn't work you can always return him in defense. Spurs still have Richarlison, Son, Kuluševski (a.k.a. Kulu-Dele after Asian tour), Lo Celso, Veliz, Scarlett, Will Lankshear, Mickey Moore who can play in striker role. Before you jump on me for Lo Celso, Unai Emeri think he can play attacker and Jose described him like very good with the ball and bad without ball, he proved he has skill and ability to shoot ball on target. Kuluševski also showed he can umark and grab ball, score and assist on multiple occasions. There is Son who played there big part of last season scoring a lot of goals. Youngsters like Lankshear and Moore are not knocking on the door but hitting the door of dressing room with ram with recent performances.
I am not that worried with striker position like I am for DM and RW starter. Mickey in #9 and Romero in #6 that is worth trying. Maybe that throw new ballon d'or winner. It's easy to return if that doesn't work.
Comments