Spurs players formed England’s core in 2018, but now only Kane remains

With a week to go until the final squad announcement, Gareth Southgate has released a provisional Euro 2020 squad of 33 players which will be trimmed to 26. The current crop of talent at Southgate’s disposal is likely to excite England fans. However, with an abundance of attacking flair in the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, the question begs as to who the man in the waistcoat will choose to play alongside England captain Harry Kane. Or alternatively, who he decides to drop in order to accommodate the more reticent talents of Kalvin Phillips and James Ward-Prowse.

Danny Rose and Harry Kane celebrate Eric Dier’s decisive penalty against Columbia.

Tottenham fans will have noticed the scarcity of players picked from their club, with Kane being the sole representative of the Lilywhites. This is unlikely to shock those who have followed the performances of other England hopefuls currently playing in N17. This couldn’t be more contrasting to the 2018 World Cup Squad in which Southgate named Danny Rose, Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Eric Dier alongside Kane; making Spurs the most represented club in the squad.

With La Liga champion Kieran Trippier making the current squad, the obvious stagnation in the performances of Dele, Dier and Rose compared to the improvements in rival players is particularly noteworthy.

Danny Rose

A player who made five appearances for England in the World Cup finals just two years ago, Rose’s recent decline has seen him exiled to train with youth teams at Hotspur Way. After failing to gain the trust of Jose Mourinho, the left-back has played just two Premier League 2 matches, as well as zero first-team appearances in over a year.

Rose in action for Tottenham Under 23s.

After scenes on Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing’ documentary showed Rose clashing with Mourinho concerning his lack of playing time, as well as wishfully asking Daniel Levy about interest from Italian giants AC Milan, it was clear that Rose would be phased out of the club.

Still only 30-years-old, Rose will no doubt attract a number of suitors at the lower end of the Premier League as his contract ends this summer. Having once been widely considered an elite European left-back, Rose’s fall off can be closely correlated with that of Spurs themselves.

Eric Dier

Dier has always given his all for Spurs.

Right-back, centre-back, central midfielder: Eric Dier has plied his trade in each position, whilst seemingly mastering none. Dier’s form in the latter stages of the Premier League campaign has left a lot to be desired. With countless calamitous errors and a lack of quality on the ball, it is a mystery how the 27-year-old has managed to cement himself into both Mourinho’s and Mason’s first choice teams.

Dier was a bit-part player at the 2018 World Cup, but did however provide one of the most memorable moments when he slotted the winning penalty in the Round of 16 versus Columbia. The man ended years of penalty shoot-out dread and now finds himself exiled from a Euro’s squad in just a two-year spell.

With Football.London reporting Spurs’ interest in numerous centre-back options this summer, Dier’s days in North London may well be coming to an abrupt end.

Dele Alli

In perhaps the most shocking decline of recent Premier League years, Dele is under threat of becoming a ‘streets won’t forget’ baller.

It is becoming increasingly easy to forget the player who won back-to-back Premier League Young Player of the Year awards in 2015/16 and 2016/17. The extravagance has is still apparent in Dele’s play, but poor ball retention and the tendency to let games drift him by seem to have become all too regular an occurrence.

Much like Rose, Dele’s relationship with previous boss Mourinho was somewhat fragmented. Is it time to cash in on the 25-year-old, or does he still hold an important future at Tottenham?

Will Dele be sold to make space for new attackers this summer?

Time to move on?

If Spurs are serious about being a Champions League level club that can challenge on all fronts, it is essential that the quality of the squad reflects these ambitions in the upcoming campaign. In my opinion, this would mean selling players who are no longer at an International level of quality, and clearly Winks, Dier and Rose fall into this category.

Who Next For Tottenham Hotspur?

On a day that will likely go down in the history books for numerous reasons, Tottenham parted ways with head coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, along with all of his backroom staff bar Ledley King, was relieved of his duties earlier this week. Alasdair Gold confirmed that, contrary to rumour, Mourinho’s departure was not at all connected to the announcement of a European Super League.

Fabrizio Romano first broke the news that Ryan Mason would take over first-team management.

It has now been officially confirmed that ex-player and current Head of Development Ryan Mason will be in place as Interim Manager until the end of the season. Fans will be hoping Mason will be able to reinvigorate a dejected Spurs squad who have looked lacking in confidence and form for some time.

The 29-year-old, who was forced into early retirement for medical reasons in February 2018, faces a Southampton side in need of a win on Wednesday night. However, the fixture that is on everyone’s lips is the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Will the new manager effect be enough to claim Spurs’ first piece of silverware in 13 years?

Many managers have already been tipped to take over in N17. The following options are some that Daniel Levy and co. should be considering as the heir to Mourinho’s pragmatic throne.

Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann guided RB Leipzig to their first ever Champions League semi-final in 2020

One highly sought after option lies in Nagelsmann. Just 33-years-old, the retired centre-back would represent a young, exciting breath of fresh air for Spurs. The RB Leipzig boss applies a vertical attacking system, whereby the priority for each player in possession is to advance the ball. This would signal the death of the boring, ambitionless sideways passing which Spurs fans have become accustomed to.

Whilst Nagelsmann does not prioritise high possession, his team are always pressing the opposition high up the pitch and attempting to force mistakes. He has adopted both a back three and back four in his time in the Bundesliga and has shown ability to adapt to differing styles of play.

The Lilywhites face stiff competition for the German’s signature, with giants Bayern Munich reportedly keen to bring Nagelsmann to the Allianz Arena after the departure of Hansi Flick. Although, after Leipzig’s 0-1 victory over Spurs in the 2020 Champions League, Nagelsmann was seemingly impressed with the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and fans. “The first ten minutes were very noisy, very loud. In the end, it was a pleasure to be a part of this game” (BT Sport Interview). Many Spurs fans will be hoping that Nagelsmann will be able to experience that atmosphere week in, week out next season.

Brendan Rodgers

With experience of a Premier League title challenge at Liverpool, as well as having excelled recently at Leicester City, Rodgers provides a safe, yet ambitious option for Spurs.

Rodger’s Leicester side recently advanced past Southampton to reach their first FA Cup Final since 1969.

Having unearthed a number of impressive signings for his clubs, including Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino for Liverpool as well as Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana for Leicester City; Rodgers’ recruitment history would bode well for the club’s future.

With no need to adapt to the demands of the English game, Rodgers could slot straight into the managerial hot-seat at Tottenham. Having won promotion to the Premier League in 2011 with Swansea City, Rodgers has implemented his philosophy at multiple clubs. He looks to combine possession-based football with a strict demand for tireless work from players. Levy could well see the Northern Irishman as the to coach Spurs back to success.

Christophe Galtier

Galtier is renowned for his calm presence on the touchline.

A less prominent option who will have certainly raised eyebrows in the Tottenham boardroom is LOSC Lille manager Galtier. The 54-year-old has gained many plaudits for guiding his impressive Lille side to top spot in Ligue 1, so far managing to hold off Mauricio Pochettino’s scintillating PSG.

This feat is even more impressive when you take into account the quality of player that Lille have repeatedly sold in recent years. For example, Nicolas Pepe, Victor Osimhen, Gabriel Magalhaes and Yves Bissouma just to name a few. Galtier’s ability to build a competitive side whilst adhering to financial stability within the club could likely entice Levy into a move for his signature.

With a playing style focused on maximising attacks, Spurs fans would likely be thrilled with the prospect of a return to free-flowing, risk-taking football.

Massimiliano Allegri

After appointing Mourinho, one of the most successful managers of all time, it was clear that Levy wanted to taste immediate glory with Spurs. If this is still the primary concern for the chairman then Max Allegri will surely be seen as a viable option.

A manager lauded for his versatility and tactical intelligence, Allegri guided Serie A giants Juventus to five consecutive titles before beginning a sabbatical period in 2019. His teams do not prioritise a high press, instead focusing on absorbing pressure and developing more pragmatic attacking patterns. This raises the concern, would this style of play be too close to that of Mourinho? Furthermore, would the players and fans respond positively to the appointment?

Allegri is said to have been learning English in preparation for a Premier League job.

The 53-year-old has not been secretive about his desire to manage in England in the future. However, the question begs, whether the increase in the pace of the English game would allow Allegri to implement his preferred tactics in North London.

Many more names have been flouted in respect to the vacant Spurs hot-seat including Eddie Howe, Nuno Espirito Santo, Ralph Hassenhuttl, Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard.

Oliver Skipp: Impressive showings from a homegrown talent

Tottenham Hotspur are seemingly stuck in a rut. A string of uninspiring performances characterised by a lack of expansive attacking play and an assortment of individual defensive mistakes has resulted in a growing sense of hopelessness in Spurs supporters. It seems fanatical to suggest that a manager who has guided his team to the Carabao Cup final, as well as practically having one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League is working in fear of his job. However, there are many calls for Jose Mourinho to be relieved of his duties.

Mourinho must take some credit for his handling of Spurs youngsters. The Special One has handed first-team debuts to Harvey White (19), Dane Scarlett (16) and Alfie Devine (16), as well as sending the likes of Ryan Sessegnon (20) and Troy Parrott (19) out on loan deals to increase their playing times. A player who has thrived from his loan move is Oliver Skipp. After strong pre-season showings for the Lilywhites, Skipp penned a one-year loan deal with relegated Premier League side Norwich City.

The 20-year-old has hit the ground running for the Canaries, racking up 32 appearances in the league so far and establishing himself as a mainstay in the heart of their midfield. Norwich currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Championship table, displaying form that is in no small part down to Skippy’s consistent displays.

These performances have gained plaudits from Norwich fans and the more fervent Spurs fans alike; not to mention Norwich boss Daniel Farke. A recent Football.London report documented the latter’s obvious high regard for the youngster. “He’s a top player and a top character”. Farke went on to emphasise his expectations of Skipp and his desire for him to keep progressing. “This says a lot about how much I rate him and how much I value him, I don’t want to praise him too much in public, it’s more like each and every day I keep on criticising him”. These comments will excite Spurs fans with the prospect of Skipp being driven to reach the heights that he is considered capable of. 

Norwich fans have also been waxing lyrical about the England Under 21 international. With their twitter following labelling Skipp as one of the best loan signings the club has ever made. Skipp seems to scoop the Twitter man of the match award after every Norwich fixture. Admittedly, this may be partly the consequence of Spurs fans hijacking the polls, however his consistent nominations speak volumes of his performances.

Skippy scooped Norwich’s September Player of the Month award back in September.

For those unaware of of Skipp’s attributes, he is a versatile midfielder who flourishes in a holding position. He is a consistently talented passer, topping Norwich’s passing statistics this season. His vision has been on display for the Championship leaders and he has been unlucky not to provide any assists so far this season.

His composure and confidence on the ball have provided Norwich with a calming presence in possession. These attributes suggest the mindset of a veteran midfielder. Skippy is equally adept at carrying the ball at speed or picking an incisive pass, meaning he can effectively progress the ball through the defensive lines whilst under pressure. Add his impressive defensive positioning, work-rate and burst of pace and you’ve got a midfielder who truly fits his billing as an all-rounder.

Skipp is not renowned for his goal-scoring prowess. He netted his first senior goal in Norwich’s 3-1 win away at Birmingham City on Tuesday night. Although it is not a crucial requirement for his position, it would be the icing on the cake to see Skippy add another feather to his cap and chip in with more goal contributions. With a motivator like Farke demanding improvements in his game, this is likely something the Spurs academy graduate will be working on.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will likely be one of the biggest admirers of Skipp’s success in Norfolk. With Sport Witness having claimed that Harry Winks has his heart set on a summer switch to La Liga, Skipp represents a ready-made replacement that will not break the bank. Levy is known for his financial prudence, and the recall of Skipp should provide the Lilywhites with a quality youngster in the centre of the park, as well as funds to address the more pressing issues in the team. 

Spurs fans, would you like to see Skipp return to N17 in the summer to learn from Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and continue his development at the top level?

The hunt for a new centre-back: Six options to push Tottenham to the next level

The impact a new centre-back can have on a team’s progression is not to be underestimated. Take for example Virgil Van Dijk’s arrival at Liverpool FC; propelling them to Champions League glory and not to mention a first ever Premier League trophy. Similar rewards were reaped on the blue side of Manchester, with the winter signing of Aymeric Laporte helping spur City to a record-breaking 100 point campaign.

Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez both look to be out of favour.

After consistent tinkering of his back-line, it is reasonable to believe Jose Mourinho will be dreaming of capturing a player of kindred talents to provoke a similar effect at Spurs. The Special One has still not settled upon his first-choice centre-back pairing. Eric Dier has only missed one Premier League game this season, yet costly mistakes in big games continue to frustrate the Spurs faithful. Davinson Sanchez possesses the strength and pace that Mourinho demands in order to play a higher line, however his lack of guile on the ball has limited his chances in the side.  With the 31-year-old Toby Alderweireld linked to a summer exit and promising youngsters Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga still learning their craft, Tottenham’s necessity for a leader at the back has escalated.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would sanction a high-profile coup in the January transfer window, however Mourinho will likely be prompting a plan of action behind the scenes. The following are some players that should, and potentially could be on Mourinho’s wish-list in the coming months.

The Dream Options:

Ibrahima Konate

One player who has recently gained many admirers is RB Leipzig’s Konate. At just 21-years-old the Parisian-born defender fronts an exciting crop of Bundesliga youngsters, having made 52 first-team performances for Leipzig. Christian Falk recently confirmed that Konate has a £40 million release clause which can be activated in the summer transfer window. Spurs are said to hold interest along with a host of EPL giants such as Manchester United.

The French U21 international cuts an intimidating figure for attackers, standing at 6 foot 3 and weighing over 90 kilograms. His height offers a dangerous attacking threat from set pieces, as well as a commanding presence when defending them. Konate not only excels aerially, but also with the ball at his feet. The youngster is adept at carrying the ball out of defence, combining his power and close-control to draw pressure and create passing lanes for teammates to occupy. These traits will excite Mourinho, as well as the Spurs faithful, should the club look to pursue Konate in the summer.

Upamecano (left) and Konate (right) have struck up a solid partnership for Leipzig.

Dayot Upamecano

Perhaps the jewel in Leipzig’s crown, Upamecano has attracted suitors all over Europe with his consistent displays at the top level. Falk claims that the Champions league holders Bayern Munich are leading the race for the Frenchman’s signature, with United, City and Real Madrid waiting in the wings. 

Upamecano has notched four goals in his time with Die Roten Bullen, but his main strengths lie in his defensive prowess. Mourinho would be attracted to the 22-year-olds electric pace which would equip Spurs with the means to play a higher defensive line. As well as his impressive power and agility, Upamecano reads the game like a seasoned veteran, meaning he is usually a step ahead of the striker. However, when called upon to defend 1V1 dribbles he is deft, yet aggressive and consequently a pain for any attacker

It is unlikely Upamecano will be playing home games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season. Although, the prospect of regular game-time and learning under Mourinho could prove to be an enticing prospect for the rising star.

Sergio Ramos

Widely regarded as the greatest centre-back of his generation; Ramos has captained Real Madrid over a hugely successful decade. Five La Ligas, four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and a World Cup title are just some of the accolades the Spanish titan has collected. Ramos would certainly bring  a winning mentality to N17.

Having established himself as one of the most prolific goal-scoring centre-backs of all time, Ramos is renowned for his attacking threat at set pieces, as well as recently taking the responsibility of penalties and free-kicks. Defensively, the Spanish captain is the original all-rounder; combining aggressive tackling with pace and technical ability, meaning he is rarely flustered. A Rolls-Royce of a centre-back, Ramos’ passion would complement Mourinho’s ‘do or die’ philosophy. 

The Guardian have recently claimed that Ramos is unimpressed with Real Madrid’s new contract offer and could be looking for a change of scenery in the summer window. Liverpool and Manchester United have been left on red alert and you’d think that Levy and co will be eyeing a swoop due to the club’s recent relationship with Real Madrid.

Could Ramos be the man to inspire a trophy haul at Spurs?

The Realistic Options:

Merih Demiral

Although he does not quite demand the headlines like the three previous names, Demiral offers a promising option for Spurs. Goal have previously linked the Lilywhites to the 6 foot 3 centre-back, however Juventus were said to be reluctant to part ways with the player. Demiral’s inability to break into the first choice XI of The Old Lady could prove to be a golden opportunity for Spurs to land their man. 

Demiral has worked alongside the likes of Georgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

At 22-years-old, Demiral will satisfy Levy’s craving for young players with a high sell-on market value. Furthermore, Mourinho will love the pride that the Turk takes in his work; he would rather receive a set of studs to the face than risk conceding. Known for his determination, composure, and tactical assuredness, Demiral would offer a steely yet skilful option for Mourinho’s men.

The temptation of regular first-team football could be enough to convince Demiral to depart Turin.

Milan Skriniar

Another player who Spurs were heavily linked with during the summer window. Fabrizio Romano suggested the clubs could come to an agreement in the January market, although that now looks increasingly unlikely. Mourinho may well bide his time to secure his man this summer.

A commanding leader, Skriniar brings the best out of teammates. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet due to experience of playing as a defensive midfielder. Although, his main fortes lie in his sharp tackling and positional awareness, traits that would bolster Spurs’ defensive ranks.

The rumours of Skriniar’s pending move to North London have grown quiet, as the player has earned more time in an in-form Inter Milan side. However, a transfer should not be ruled out just yet. 

Eder Militao

Mourinho could be looking to reuse his Real Madrid contacts once again. Brazilian defender Militao has only made a handful of first-team appearances at the Bernabeu and could look to leave the reigning La Liga champions in this window.

Strong, fast, and intelligent, the former Porto man would tick most of Mourinho’s boxes in order to employ his Spurs team in a more aggressive attacking manner. At 23-years-old, Militao represents a player with promising potential who would not cripple the club financially.

Spurs would face stiff competition from Liverpool, with The Express suggesting Jurgen Klopp could look to secure Miltao’s services in the coming days due to the centre-back crisis facing the Reds.

Could Militao link up with Mourinho in the hope for more minutes?

Carlos Vinicius: Perfect for Spurs?

Playing the understudy to Harry Kane is a bitter-sweet situation for any young striker. On the one hand, the prospect of learning from one of the Premier League’s all-time prolific forwards. On the other, a distinct lack of Premier League minutes. Furthermore, the Spurs talisman does not look like slowing down this season. With 18 goals and 14 assists in 26 games, the England captain has been in scintillating form for Jose Mourinho’s side. 

The understudy in question has certainly given Mourinho another viable striking option. Carlos Vinicius has hit the ground running since his loan switch from Portuguese giants Benfica. He has netted six times whilst laying on a further three assists for teammates in as little as nine games for the Lilywhites. Remarkably, the Brazilian has only started five games for Spurs in all competitions, a testament to his knack for scoring goals. 

The 6”3 target-man hasn’t always been primarily focused on scoring. During his youth career, he was largely employed as a central defender due to his height and athleticism. He made his senior debut in 2017 as a defensive midfielder for fourth-tier Brazilian side Caldense. A move to Gremio Anapolis saw Vinicius play as an attacking midfielder before completing his rapid positional journey to become a forward. A switch to Europe saw the striker join Portuguese side Real SC. A £4 million switch to Napoli resulted in impressive loan moves to both Rio Ave and Monaco. Vinicius eventually signed for Portuguese champions Benfica in the summer of 2019. Notching 18 goals and 5 assists in 32 league matches for The Eagles was enough to convince Spurs chairman Daniel Levy into a year-long loan with a £45 million option to buy this summer.

Spurs fans have grown familiar with seeing Vinicius bring down long-balls and link play. These characteristics make him a useful weapon for when Mourinho’s side cannot play a counter-attacking game. As well as his strength and aerial threat, Vinicius has a respectable burst of pace and is technically adept to dribble at speed. This dimension to his game provides a more than valid attacking alternative for days in which Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are struggling to convert.  

During his stint at Benfica, Vinicius was primarily utilised as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation. Mourinho has employed the same formation at points in his successful spell at Inter Milan, as well as currently in North London. The prospect of having both Kane and Vinicius to deal with is a headache for any centre-back partnership. Due to his pace and impressive agility, Vinicius also occasionally occupied a wide attacking birth during his time in Portugal. This gives the Special One a more combative wide option compared to the trickery of Steven Bergwijn, the raw pace of Lucas Moura, and the intelligence of Gareth Bale.

The current situation is beneficial for both the club and the player. At 25-years-old, Vinicius is entering the golden years of his career. Having been given a chance in the Premier League, he will feel he has to seize every playing opportunity that comes his way. Furthermore, having a hungry striker seeking to prove he belongs at the top level will only benefit Spurs. Time will tell if Vinicius has impressed enough to warrant a permanent switch.