With Iliman Ndiaye edging closer to a move to Tottenham, we’ve taken a look at the different ways Roberto De Zerbi could set his team up.
Tottenham Hotspur are now edging closer to their ninth signing of the summer in what has been a transfer window full of activity.
Spurs Web revealed earlier today that Spurs have reached an agreement in principle with Everton for a deal for wide forward Iliman Ndiaye.
However, a move has not been completed, with personal terms yet to be agreed with the player himself.
His signing could also see Richarlison move the other way to Everton as the Brazilian edges closer to a Tottenham departure.
With so many changes on the horizon, we have now looked at the various ways De Zerbi could set his team up once the summer transfer window slams shut.
How Tottenham could line up with Iliman Ndiaye, Omar Marmoush and Savio
We do expect a pretty settled backline to be put out by De Zerbi should all of his players be fit and available.
His back five almost certainly picks itself, with Antonin Kinsky set to be the club’s number one this season following Vicario’s loan to Juventus.
In front of the Czech, however, we expect a back four of Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke and Destiny Udogie.
Of course, Udogie’s fitness troubles do mean that he could miss the odd game, which should allow Robertson to come into the side.
The Italian’s midfield, though, could see a change once the summer transfer window slams shut. Big-money signings Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali should form the base of De Zerbi’s midfield for most of the season, with Tonali featuring as a six while Fernandes plays as an eight.
However, the number ten role is where one of the biggest changes could come for Tottenham this season.
New signing Omar Marmoush is capable of filling that role and could come into the side in that spot. That, of course, would mean James Maddison and Conor Gallagher miss out.
Marmoush is no stranger to playing as a second striker, having done that on several occasions at City. Should the Egyptian come in as a second striker, then the frontline would be Savio, Solanke and new signing Ndiaye.
Of course, Savio and Ndiaye are extremely versatile, capable of filling in on either side, and that would offer De Zerbi even more tactical flexibility.
Here’s how Spurs would look with Marmoush as a ten and Solanke as a striker – Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali, Marmoush; Savio, Solanke, Ndiaye
Marmoush gives Spurs another option up front
While that is just one possible way for Spurs to line up, De Zerbi also has the option to deploy Marmoush up top as we saw against Newcastle United.
Such a setup would see Solanke miss out, while De Zerbi could opt for a natural ten in midfield, which would favour Maddison.
The front three would then be Savio, Marmoush and Ndiaye, while Tottenham have Kudus, Tel and Solanke as backup in attack.
This is how Spurs would look with Marmoush as striker: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali, Maddison; Savio, Marmoush, Ndiaye
