After a diabolically poor season, Tottenham Hotspur stand able to play their largest recreation in years.
Ange Postecoglou’s aspect may effectively be seventeenth within the Premier League, however in Europe, they have been sensational and, consequently, have a Europa League closing to contest.
Nevertheless, alongside having to get the higher of Manchester United for the fourth time in a row this season, the North Londoners may even need to do with out a number of key gamers, most notably Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison.
Their absence has left a gap within the midfield, which the supervisor must get artistic about filling.
Tottenham Crew Information
As we have already talked about, probably the most vital absences for Spurs forward of tomorrow’s all-important closing are Kulusevski, Bergvall and Maddison.
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The previous began the league recreation in opposition to Crystal Palace final week however got here off with what was initially described as a “knock” within the first half, just for mentioned knock to require knee surgical procedure, which is able to maintain him out till subsequent season.
Whereas Maddison hasn’t had surgical procedure for the knee harm he picked up within the first leg of the semi-final in opposition to Bodo/Glimt, he too, can be out of motion till subsequent season.
Likewise, the boss confirmed that the younger Swede is not going to function once more this season, as he injured his ankle within the coaching session earlier than that first leg earlier this month.
Lastly, each Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner stay out for the long run, with the previous injuring his ACL and the latter his hamstring.
The Spurs star who ought to begin rather than Kulusevski
Okay, so with Kulusevski, Bergvall and Maddison now out, Wilson Odobert hardly doing himself any favours on Friday night time, and Son Heung-min not being the dynamic participant he as soon as was, there are not any preferrred options to this large concern.
Nevertheless, one considerably outside-the-box possibility Postecoglou may choose to go together with is shifting Pape Matar Sarr barely additional up the pitch and into that extra attacking midfield position.
Now, earlier than the pitchforks come out, we’re effectively conscious that that is an unfamiliar place for the Senegalese ace, however he is an extremely proficient midfielder, and we reckon that there are some components of his recreation that would make this work for a one-off match.
Firstly, whereas he tends to play in central or defensive midfield, the 22-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Mitch Fretton, has an honest shot on him – very like Bergvall.
For instance, he scored a superb long-range effort in opposition to Manchester Metropolis earlier this season after which, whereas it was dominated out for a doubtful foul, scored one other from outdoors the field in opposition to Chelsea.
Furthermore, in 80 Premier League appearances, he has managed to amass six targets and 6 assists, which is not a horrible return and that, mixed together with his potential to strike a ball from vary, may give United’s defence one thing to consider within the absence of the Swedish duo.
Moreover, his underlying numbers from the Europa League this season solely additional point out that he is acquired extra attacking potential than maybe folks give him credit score for.
|
Sarr’s UEL Scout Report |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Per 90 |
Percentile |
|
Penalty Kicks Received |
0.16 |
Prime 2% |
|
GCA (Fouls Drawn) |
0.16 |
Prime 4% |
|
Complete Carrying Distance |
261.61 |
Prime 5% |
|
Photographs on Goal % |
71.4% |
Prime 6% |
|
Cross Completion % (Medium) |
92.8% |
Prime 6% |
|
Non-Penalty Objectives |
0.32 |
Prime 9% |
|
Objectives/Shot |
0.29 |
Prime 9% |
|
Objectives |
0.32 |
Prime 10% |
|
Photographs on Goal |
0.81 |
Prime 11% |
For instance, FBref locations him within the high 2% of midfielders for penalties gained within the competitors, the highest 5% for whole carrying distance, the highest 6% for proportion of photographs on course and medium passes accomplished, the highest 9% for non-penalty targets and targets per shot, the highest 10% for targets and extra, all per 90.
Lastly, in contrast to his captain, the previous Metz gem would add much more dynamism and athleticism to the North Londoners’ midfield, which could possibly be key to getting the higher of the likes of Casemiro and Harry Maguire on the night time.
In the end, as we have already mentioned, there isn’t any preferrred answer to this downside, however beginning Sarr within the extra attacking midfield position is likely to be the closest factor Postecoglou has to at least one that may permit the crew to maintain its depth.
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