Tottenham have Mbappe problem with new signing after terms agreed
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be starting to get some of their rhythm back following Sunday’s win over Manchester United.
The home victory over Ruben Amorim’s sorry side (16 February) took Spurs ahead of them in the Premier League table, up to a position of 12th which has been higher than where they have spent the past few weeks in a hugely pressurised time for Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs acted in the transfer market to bring in Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Antonin Kinsky to North London, and remain in the Europa League in which they are one of the tournament favourites.
Tottenham have issue to work out with new signing
Tottenham eventually managed to secure the loan signing of teenager Tel from Bayern Munich on Deadline Day (3 February), but now have a dilemma on their hands according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, believes Tel’s best position is heading infield from the left flank much like captain Son Heung-min, which presents a selection issue.
Darke has admitted this is a toned-down version of what Real Madrid contend with, when naming their forward line with both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior operating best from wide on the left.
“Tottenham had better hope Tel is impactful between now and the end of the season. They’re going to need him to perform, and he can play in the Europa League which is important,” he explained.
“He took his goal at Aston Villa beautifully – I know it was too little too late – but he’s been putting in a shift without making a tremendous impact just yet.
“The only thought I had is that he seems to want to play in the same position as Son does, off that left-hand side. It’s like a lesser scale version of the problem Real Madrid have with Mbappe and Vinicius. You can put him centre-forward, but he’s going to come in from the left – that’s something for Postecoglou to sort out.”
Postecoglou beginning to see options increase
Postecoglou has been plagued by a lengthy injury list for much of the season, being unable to operate his brazen style of play without many specific players who fit the system.
The likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been massive misses, and now Radu Dragusin is out with an ACL injury until well into next season.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel with both Guglielmo Vicario and Wilson Odobert having returned against Man United, as Spurs look to finish the season strongly.
Tel and Son both started on Sunday with the Bayern loan starlet operating through the middle, which could in fact indicate he plays more centrally to allow skipper Son his mainstay role.