Opinion: Ten Spurs players who should shine in Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 formation

Ange Postecoglou is at the helm at Tottenham Hotspur ahead of a busy summer. Unlike the previous three permanent managers, Ange Postecoglou likes his sides to have the lion’s share of possession and play attacking, entertaining football: just what the Tottenham supporters are after.

It will be interesting to see how the squad is sorted out in order to aid Postecoglou’s preferred playing style and formation (the 4-3-3) after previously being assembled for more defensive-minded managers. Which players might fit like a glove into the Australian’s system?

Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero is Spurs’ best defender and also the best defender on the ball, which suits him well to the new system.

In theory, less defending by having more of the ball could lead to fewer yellow cards and hopefully fewer injuries. Although he had a disappointing campaign last season, Romero could still be a key figure in the rebuild at Tottenham.

Pedro Porro

After Porro’s struggles in his first few games for Spurs, we began to see what exactly he could bring going forward as he chipped in with a few goals and assists.

The 23-year-old could slot in nicely in a 4-3-3, either as a full-back that stays higher up the pitch or possibly in the midfield as Trent Alexander-Arnold has done at Liverpool.

Regardless of where he’s played, Pedro Porro will be a strength to the Spurs side with his impeccable crossing and excellent technical ability.

Destiny Udogie

The young Destiny Udogie could very well fall into the same category as Pedro Porro: a quick, attacking full-back that has bags of potential.

Could he take up the same role that Porro may have in the midfield? Or, will the two swap during games to help out in defence? Udogie is too talented to be left out of the side, that’s for sure.

Dejan Kulusevski

There’s no easy way to put it: Dejan Kulusevski had a disappointing 2022/23 campaign. After becoming such an important player upon joining from Juventus last winter, the Sweden international had a dip in form after the World Cup break as well as fighting injuries.

However, the 23-year-old would thrive in a possession-based system like Postecoglou’s. It makes sense for one of your better attacking players to press high up the pitch and see more of the ball.

Richarlison

The new boss’ system might be a perfect fit for Richarlison. Like Bissouma, Richarlison struggled with fitness during the season and was often played out of position and rarely up front as a centre-forward.

But the Brazilian has the youth and speed to play as the pressing forward needed in Postecoglou’s system. Could he make his mark next season under new guidance, rotating with Harry Kane or alongside him up front?

Harry Kane

Postecoglou’s relentless attacking formation calls on forwards that lead the line in defence. While Harry Kane is not exactly the quickest of players, he’s proven before that he can be effective and the main man under Mauricio Pochetinno, Jose Mourinho, and Antonio Conte. Assuming he stays at Tottenham this summer, who’s to say he wouldn’t continue that under the Australian?

Yves Bissouma

The 2022/23 season was a nightmare for Yves Bissouma. He struggled to stay fit with injuries and just didn’t really make an impact in Conte’s system. But Bissouma still has so much potential and in the new system, he could get back to playing how he did in his Brighton days.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo ‘Lolo’ Bentancur was having the season of his life up until mid-February at the King Power Stadium. Bentancur would be an ideal fit for one of the central midfielders as he was one of Tottenham’s best-pressing players last season.

Bentancur also is able to move past opposing players with ease. Let’s hope that Lolo is able to be fit and raring to go early next season.

Pape Matar Sarr

While we haven’t seen much of Pape Matar Sarr in a Spurs shirt, he has been impressive in the small sample size given.

Postecoglou may have a look at the youngster and think he may need a loan move before integrating him into the team. But Sarr could form a formidable duo alongside Rodrigo Bentancur/Yves Bissouma in the midfield.

Heung-Min Son

After scoring the joint-most goals in the Premier League, Heung-Min Son had a poor first half to the season but rebounded to a degree in the second half, scoring 10 goals in total.

The left-winger recently came out with a statement about playing through an injury for the majority of the season, which definitely had an impact on his performances.

As the South Korean thrived in a previous attacking formation, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say he could do the same under Postecoglou. Remember, form is temporary, and class is permanent.

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