Tottenham Hotspur have made a good start to life under new manager Ange Postecoglou. Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table, three points off second position. With players returning from injuries and international duty, Last Word On Sports looks at their best midfield options.
What Is Tottenham Hotspur’s Best Midfield?
Maddison, Sarr and Bissouma had Spurs Top
The midfield trio comprising James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have started nine Premier League matches together and are almost undefeated, winning seven, drawing one and losing one. That loss saw Maddison get withdrawn late in the first half with injury, in the home fixture against Chelsea, where they also had two players sent off. This combination has been undoubtedly the Lilywhites’ most effective of the season.
The ability to break up play and drive out of defence with the ball that Bissouma has is unmatched in the squad and the team looks less likely to effectively play out of defense when he isn’t in the team. This, of course, is key to manager Postecoglou’s system, as he aims to have his team control the ball at all times.
Sarr’s dynamism and athleticism enable him to perfectly serve as the engine in a solid midfield as he both fills in the gaps left by inverted fullbacks and makes excellent runs in the box, which has led to him scoring some crucial goals. His intelligence and first touch are also key to his game, something dearly missed when he is not playing.
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Maddison needs no introduction or explanation, as fans of English football would be very familiar with his talents. He serves as the best ball carrier in a young Tottenham team and is undoubtedly the most creative player. There is no replacing his through-balls or dribbles into the box when he is missing and his return to full fitness is a huge boost for the Lilywhites.
Lo Celso, Bentancur, Skipp and Hojbjerg Also Key Squad Members
Giovani Lo Celso has always been a divisive figure among supporters of the Lilywhite’s. He has shown streaks of good form, most notably under Jose Mourinho in 2020 and earlier this term when he scored or assisted in his handful of starts. A perennial issue, however, has been his injuries. He has never been able to nail down a spot in the team due to this, under several different managers. He possesses unique ball-carrying ability, particularly when taking the ball out of defence and driving forward to create a scoring chance and can be an asset when fit.
Rodrigo Bentancur has established himself as a popular player with both club officials, fellow players and fans alike. Arguably one of the most talented players at the club, he is recovering from two injuries that kept him out of action for almost a year. His close control and ability to dictate tempo from deep in midfield is unmatched in the current squad and once fully fit, would deserve a starting berth.
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is and has always been a solid player. Often used off the bench to see games off or calm things down, the Danish international has experience and possesses the ability to break up opposition play late in the game.
Oliver Skipp is probably the least likely of all the players mentioned to start when everyone is fit and available. A hometown Tottenham player, Skipp has been a one-club man (barring loan spells), which is something that makes him adored by fans. He is a hard worker and has often looked good in either the number 6 or number 8 positions this season.
Our Preferred Midfield
Bissouma, Bentancur and Maddison would be the most effective midfield combination for Tottenham when everyone is fit. Bissouma has the ability to act as a single pivot in midfield, which will allow Bentancur to pull the strings from a deep position and give Maddison the license to roam creatively.
