LAST season Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen lit up the Premier League.
They were instrumental in Tottenham pushing Chelsea all the way in the title race as they combined with Harry Kane, setting up or banging in goals for fun.
Spurs were the season’s top scorers and Eriksen was top of the assist charts with 15. Dele scored 18 goals.
This season their numbers don’t add up. Eriksen has just two assists so far and Alli three goals.
But they did not become bad players over the summer.
Instead, Spurs’ opponents have found a way to make things more difficult for them.
Dele and Eriksen are two of the best players in the Premier League and the opposition are now showing a lot more respect by limiting their space to dictate matches.
Last season Spurs sat deep and hit teams on the break.
KANE HE DO IT? Harry Kane must use the World Cup to show everyone he can be among best on planet, says Gareth Southgate
They had Kane as their spearhead stretching play, Eriksen operating in the spaces between the opponents’ defence and midfield and Dele either doing his tricks alongside his Danish team-mate or getting beyond Kane to score goals.
They were whacking teams with quick counter-attacks.
That tactic is still working this season. In the five matches in which they have had the least possession they have won four and drawn one.
Against Dortmund at Wembley, they won 3-1 with 32 per cent of the ball. In Madrid, they drew 1-1 with 34 per cent. Liverpool at home: Won 4-1, 36 per cent. Madrid at home: 3-1, 37 per cent. Everton away: 3-0, 49 per cent.
The problem comes when the opposition sit back and let Spurs have more of the ball.
Against Chelsea at home, Spurs had 68 per cent of the ball and lost 2-1. In that fixture last season, Spurs won 2-0 with 49 per cent of the ball.
Against Swansea at home, they drew 0-0 with 75 per cent of the ball. Last season, they won 5-0 at home with 59 per cent.
If you look at the average positions of the Spurs players in the home win over Liverpool in Graphic A — when Jurgen Klopp’s team came at them — notice the wide spaces Kane (No 10), Eriksen (23) and Dele (20) are operating in.
Kane is stretching the game, opening up space for Eriksen and Dele.
Now look at the positions in the Swansea game in Graphic B. The attacking trio are on each other’s toes and crowding each other out.
There is no space for Eriksen to pick his passes or for Dele to weave his magic.
Against Liverpool, Spurs sat back and hit them on the break. In our graphic, only three players are beyond the halfway line.
That contrasts with the Swansea game, where nine players are beyond halfway.
more tottenham stories
It is not entirely Spurs’ fault. It’s a respect thing. The opposition have realised that to contain Spurs they have to sit deep. So what to do?
They may have to allow the opposition more of the ball, sit deeper themselves, entice the opposition out. Play a bit of cat and mouse.
In the six matches where they have had under 50 per cent of the ball they have won five, drawn one.
In their 13 matches where they have had more of the ball they have won six, drawn three, lost four.
most read in football
Last season they were the highest scorers in the league with 86. This season six teams have scored more than Tottenham have.
Spurs need to find a way to get Dele and Eriksen back on the ball.
And the best way may be by giving it up.
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog
Leave a comment