Thread by @NathanAClark

Summer 2023 Squad Analysis

Was really hoping to do this in video form before I'm gone but planning/preparing for two weddings and a honeymoon has taken away all my time.

I've changed my mind a little bit on how I see us lining-up under Ange next season since my initial ideas.

Now that I have cleansed Arne Slot from my brain and watched a bit more of Maeda + Abada I feel much more confident in Son playing LW and getting into the box plenty from there.

I also think Bissouma is a good fit for the 6 role, and we don't need a dedicated playmaker there.

We have to acknowledge the possibility of playing a back three - Postecoglou has used a 3-back a small amount in the past.

Wouldn't rule it out completely. Wouldn't bet on it. Would definitely advise Spurs against continuing to build the squad in that direction.

One of the reasons I think we're less likely to go that way is due to my increased confidence that Udogie can develop and even thrive as an inverted LB in a back four.

patreon.com/posts/loan-rep…

However, I feel this is very much not the case for Porro whose high-risk decision-making both in and out of possession seems very unlikely to change.

There are a couple of ways we can mitigate this, though they essentially both arrive at the same place.

1. Play Porro as an out-and-out forward-line winger with Royal or Spence behind him.

2. An asymmetric 4-3-3 with Kulusevski tucking in and one of the 8s remaining deep on the right.

So, a couple of ideas above but there remain a lot of questions over the composition of midfield and forward lines. Is Kulusevski better as an 8 or out wide? Can Ndombele offer us something (I suspect not for fitness reasons but we should try)?

We won't have answers to these questions until Ange has been training with the squad for a couple of weeks so, in my opinion, Spurs should prioritise getting the clear gaps - goalkeeper and left centre-back - filled before the start of pre-season.

Profile and options for GK discussed in thread linked here.

Requirements for LCB are high technical quality on the ball, passive defensive style, comfort in high-line and aerial dominance.

https://twitter.com/NathanAClark/status/1666865257610977280

In the meantime, I think Spurs should be open to offers for Porro.

He's a first XI quality player who is a poor fit for the coach's preferred roles.

If Spurs are able to make a decent sale on him, then this opens up space for a profile that is missing...

Namely, a first XI quality (sorry Bryan) high volume dribbler and wide creator - the Jota profile.

I think my first pick would probably be Nico Williams due to his comfort playing on both wings.

But with links to no.8/10 type players, specifically James Maddison, perhaps the club see Kulusevski for that wide role.