Since 2010, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t won a trophy; but they got so agonisingly close in last year’s Champions League final. Nevertheless, the club are starting to take a confident direction towards becoming a more competitive and successful club. This Tottenham Hotspur team of the decade reflects the wealth of talent that Spurs have had and hints at what is needed for them to become a title-winning club once again.
Tottenham Hotspur Team of the Decade
The start of the decade includes; the latter half of Harry Redknapp’s reign, Andre Villas Boas’ less popular rule, Tim Sherwood‘s brief appointment until finally, Mauricio Pochettino took on the Spurs project. Mourinho is now the man in charge and has some work to do.
During this period, the club have had some excellent players. An amalgamation of their best talents may well have rocketed them to glory.
Formation – 4-2-3-1
Spurs now use a one-striker system, which works well when Harry Kane is fit and on-form. Gareth Bale and Son Heung-Min can attack from the wings, supported by the best versions of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose. Sandro Raniere and Mousa Dembélé play deep, with Luka Modric freed-up to be the playmaker.
Manager – Mauricio Pochettino
It is hard to look past Mauricio Pochettino’s recent tenure at the club. Harry Redknapp was the first to bring Spurs Champions League football, but Pochettino was the first manager to provide that on a regular basis. He instilled a hard-working, high-pressing philosophy whilst still playing for the most part, attractive attacking football.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
The France and Tottenham Hotspur captain has earned his stripes due to his fantastic goalkeeping ability. Admittedly, his recent form, like many keepers in the Premier League, has dropped with some less than convincing shots wriggling past him. This is partly reminiscent of his initial arrival at the club where he played second fiddle to Brad Friedel.
Defence
Full Backs – Kyle Walker and Danny Rose
On the flanks are who are now Manchester City‘s Kyle Walker and Newcastle United loanee Danny Rose. These are both players that have blown hot and cold for Spurs, but in their prime, they were the best full-backs and wing-backs that the club has had this decade. They are fast, strong defenders, with the ability to run the length of the wings in attack and still get back to defend. Neither player’s attacking contribution was brilliant, but in this set-up they are playing perhaps a little deeper, giving Gareth Bale and Heung-Min Son overlapping support when required, but otherwise freeing up the more attacking players.
Centre Backs – Ledley King and Toby Alderweireld
Ledley King is a Spurs legend and deserves a place in the heart of the team and the defence. It is difficult to decide who to put beside him. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in their prime would have been a great combination in this team. Instead, Toby Alderweireld gets the place in this team due to his fantastic ball-playing skills. His famous diagonal passes up to Dele Alli are a joy. And, who could forget that move against Borussia Dortmund, making a pirouette turn after a solid tackle against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
Midfield
Central Midfield – Sandro Raniere, Mousa Dembélé and Luka Modric
In holding-midfield positions are Sandro Raniere and Mousa Dembélé. The Brazilian ‘Beast’ gets a place in this team more really for his tenacity, strength and that screamer against Manchester United more than anything else. It is a shame that his knee injury prevented him doing more for the club. He is partnered by Mousa Dembélé, that midfield colossus who glides so effortlessly in midfield. Dembélé is one player that Spurs really have missed and have failed to replace him. Unlike other players in the team, he may not have a bag of goals or assists to his name. But, he is able to dictate the tempo in the team with his passing. Furthermore, his strength on the ball and his strength in dispossessing opponents is phenomenal.
Sitting in front of these two deeper midfielders is Luka Modric. He left the club in unsavoury terms and he has soured fans opinions on him further since. Nevertheless, he is a brilliant playmaker.
Wingers
The most exciting part of this team is its wingers. Gareth Bale and Son Heung-Min will have full licence to bomb forward, getting involved in the attack, providing service to Kane or cutting inside themselves for a shot. Bale would be useful for set-pieces. Both players are capable of playing as forwards, easily able to score 40 goals a season between them in this team.
Striker – Harry Kane
It is hard to look past Harry Kane. Spurs have had some prolific goalscorers over the decade, especially Jermain Defoe. Ideally, the club would have a player like Defoe on the bench right now to help them with their lack of depth.
Nevertheless, this team is lead by captain Harry Kane who has so consistently provided the goals for his team over the recent years. Breaking through under Tim Sherwood, the striker then flourished under Pochettino to become one of Tottenham’s own, cherished by Spurs and England fans alike.
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