Tottenham have had many changes in central defence partnerships this season. This is mainly due to injury.
Michael Dawson was the least injured centre-back, and even he has missed six league games this season. His team-mates, Younes Kaboul, Jan Vertonghen and Vlad Chiriches have all missed even more games. This is quite disruptive to the Spurs defence as there is no consistency in who plays where every week. When they cannot get a good run of games it can lead to poor form as they are lacking match fitness and chemistry.
Furthermore, for the defender that hasn’t missed many games, Dawson for example, may struggle consistently as he’s playing alongside a different player every week. Every player is different. Kaboul is strong, fast and can win almost everything in the air. Vertonghen is a good defender with plenty of experience, like Kaboul. On the other hand, Chiriches is new to the side and is considerably younger than all the other centre backs. A changing partnership isn’t good.
So, when all the centre backs are available (which is rare), what is the best pairing?
Some fans would say Michael Dawson should be in any defence as his leadership qualities outweigh his weaknesses, namely his pace. Dawson can sort out the defence with his experience and knowledge of the game that perhaps the other candidates can’t do.
Vertonghen is a fantastically talented defender, yet his attitude at times this season has been a cause for alarm for many fans. He hasn’t looked half the leader Dawson has this season.
Kaboul is a solid centreback. Nothing much gets past him because of his physicality. He is tall, strong, fast. He wins it on the ground and in the air. But, injury has really hit him for quite a bit of his career. When he is fit, he should start in the Tottenham side.
Vlad Chiriches is the final candidate. Chiriches is sound technically, and plays very well when he is confident. At times he has looked shaky this season, but he has proven himself as fine defender capable of going forward. He is also the least carded player in the entire defence, only receiving one yellow card in 15 games compared to Michael Dawson’s six in 30 games.
Many fans would pick Kaboul and Vertonghen for their starting line ups. Both are quick enough to deal with the Premier League’s fastest strikers and are capable of beating others in the air. Kaboul keeps the defence nailed down, but Vertonghen can also advance up the pitch to provide a more offensive outlook. When both are on form, they are a formidable partnership.
Some fans may pick Dawson and Kaboul. Dawson is a quality defender who can read the game well, and also put in some very good challenges. His lack of pace can be covered by Kaboul, or by Tottenham’s fullbacks (none of which are slow). Fielding Dawson and Kaboul would give a height advantage and would nullify any crosses that would float into the box. It would also provide a threat to the opposition from set pieces.
A final pick could be Vertonghen and Chiriches. A younger, more offensive coupling may push the rest of the team up the field with their offensive capabilities. They both are quick and quite strong too. However, playing against Top Four teams may require a defence that does what it says on the tin. Defend. Defend against experienced opponents who know how to cause defenders trouble.
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