“It’s how we play, mate.” This has often been the answer Tottenham none Ange Postecoglou when asked about the club’s current style of play.
It’s certainly entertaining. That said, the Spurs have conceded more than 50 shots in their last three home games and he also conceded 13 goals in those matches.
Now, you could argue that the Lilywhites don’t have the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, but there is a lack of planning from Postecoglou when the going gets tough.
Where’s plan B? There doesn’t seem to be one. As such, no matter the score, the Spurs play a high line and are repeatedly punished for doing so.
When will the penny drop? It may not be until the Australian is relieved of his duties, it doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon.
Ange is a nice guy, let’s leave it at that. It really is. He has been an honest voice and knows that the culture of this football club has to change if they want to win trophies. However, as a team like Arsenal has shown, it takes a strong defense to build the foundations from the ground up.
The returns of Van de Ven and Romero will be key, but so will some January recruits. Speaking of which, here’s one that may happen in 2025…
Spurs chasing Serie A star in 2025
So, on this occasion, it is not the defense that is promoted by strengthening itself. Instead, he is a midfielder who would certainly make the backbone of this Spurs team much stronger.
In fact, as ESPN reports last week, he revealed some goals that Londoners could look to in the new year.
One of them is Tijjani Reijnders from Milanthat the club would have been looking for with the aim of making a move.
Previous reports have suggested that the talented Dutch midfielder could push back any suitors a share of 50 million pounds.
So what would Reijnders offer whoever signs him? The answer is very good.
Why Spurs should sign Tijjani Reijnders
Celebrated as one of the “five best midfielders this season” in Europe by data analyst Ben Mattinson, it’s already clear that Spurs would make a big statement by signing Reijnders.
At 26, the Milan star is fast approaching his prime and is certainly playing like it at the moment.
An eight-goal scorer in 2024/25 to datehe can get you goals, but he’s also a creative asset, registering three assists this term. Those numbers are already better than those he posted last campaign when the Dutch midfielder scored four goals and provided four assists.
So he is getting better and better and also gives you versatility, able to play as a holding midfielder, a number 8 or an attacking midfielder.
That would paint him in the mold of James Maddison or Dejan Kulusevski, so the need for him could be questioned. Well, look how it compares to Arsenal Martin Odegaard and Phil Foden and let us know what you think now.
In fact, according to FBRef’s similar players toolall three are reported as comparable assets. Reijnders may not have one 27 seasonal goals in him as Foden recorded in 2023/24 but there are some parallels to be drawn.
|
Reijnders vs Odegaard & Foden |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
Reijnders |
Odegaard |
the foot |
|
Progressive passes |
6.65 |
10 |
5.18 |
|
Key passes |
1.53 |
2.90 |
2.23 |
|
Go to 3rd end |
4.92 |
4.70 |
2.29 |
|
% pass success |
89% |
84% |
85% |
|
Long passes completed |
2.99 |
2.47 |
2.43 |
|
Long pass success % |
71% |
63% |
53% |
|
touch |
62 |
66 |
66 |
|
Successful acquisitions |
1.24 |
1.18 |
1.35 |
|
Progressive door |
3.08 |
2.72 |
2.78 |
|
Tackles won |
0.63 |
0.53 |
0.52 |
|
Statistics via FBRef. |
|||
The aforementioned numbers are particularly impressive, and while Odegaard is by far the most creative of the three, making 2.90 key passes per 90 minutes, there are a number of similarities to dive into here.
Firstly, they both have a similar influence on the ball in their team, with just four touches per 90 separating the trio. Interestingly, they make a very similar number of progressive carries and successfully take on a player with an almost identical level of efficiency.
It may not be surprising to see Reijnders complete more long balls per 90, given that he can play in a deeper role, but the sheer range of his skillset is described here. He can play long, he can play short, he can beat opponents with his dribbling and he can score goals.
This would be a fabulous signing for Spurs and could take Postecoglou’s side to the next level.
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Tottenham Hotspur went down again last night with a heavy defeat at home in the Premier League.
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2024-12-25 20:40:00
