Spurs players who suit Slot's style and players who don't
10 min read
Spurs players who suit Slot's style and players who don't
When considering Arne Slot's style of play and how it would translate to Tottenham Hotspur, certain players are likely to thrive under his tactics, while others may find it challenging to adapt.
I have sent Fabrizio Romano the compensation fee for Slot, which is €6 million (£5.21m) for those following him on Twitter.
Here is our current list of players which I'm going to look at and see who could suit Slot's style and why, as well as those who might face difficulties and why.
Spurs Squad (25)
1 GK France Hugo Lloris (captain)
4 MF England Oliver Skipp HG
5 MF Denmark Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
6 DF Colombia Davinson Sánchez
7 FW South Korea Son Heung-min
9 FW Brazil Richarlison
10 FW England Harry Kane (vice-captain) HG
12 DF Brazil Emerson Royal
14 MF Croatia Ivan Perišić
15 DF England Eric Dier
16 FW Netherlands Arnaut Danjuma (on loan from Villarreal)
17 DF Argentina Cristian Romero
19 DF England Ryan Sessegnon HG
20 GK England Fraser Forster HG
21 FW Sweden Dejan Kulusevski (on loan from Juventus)
23 DF Spain Pedro Porro (on loan from Sporting CP)
25 DF England Japhet Tanganga HG
27 FW Brazil Lucas Moura
29 MF Senegal Pape Matar Sarr
30 MF Uruguay Rodrigo Bentancur
33 DF Wales Ben Davies HG
34 DF France Clément Lenglet (on loan from Barcelona)
38 MF Mali Yves Bissouma
40 GK England Brandon Austin HG
41 GK England Alfie Whiteman HG
Out on loan (9)
3 DF Spain Sergio Reguilón (at Atlético Madrid until the end of season)
8 MF England Harry Winks HG (at Sampdoria until the end of season)
11 FW Spain Bryan Gil (at Sevilla until the end of season)
18 MF Argentina Giovani Lo Celso (at Villarreal until the end of season)
22 DF Wales Joe Rodon HG (at Rennes until the end of season)
24 DF England Djed Spence HG (at Rennes until the end of season)
28 MF France Tanguy Ndombele (at Napoli until the end of season)
42 MF England Harvey White HG (at Derby County until the end of season)
— DF Italy Destiny Udogie (at Udinese until the end of season)
Please note that the suitability of players to a coach's style of play can vary based on the coach's specific tactics, player development, and individual performances.
These assessments are based on the players' known attributes and potential fit within Arne Slot's style of play.
Actual performances and the coach's specific plans and tactics may influence the suitability of each player in the future.
I'll split this into two, positive and negative so some players will appear in both lists, Players Likely to Suit Arne Slot's Style and Players Who Might Face Difficulties.
Players Likely to Suit Arne Slot's Style:
Hugo Lloris (captain, GK): Lloris possesses decent distribution skills and is comfortable playing out from the back, a key attribute in Slot's system. His ability to initiate quick counter-attacks with accurate long passes aligns well with Slot's emphasis on swift transitions.
Oliver Skipp (MF): Skipp's work rate, tactical discipline (admittedly waning at the moment), and ability to break up opposition plays make him a valuable asset in Slot's high-intensity pressing game. His tenacity in midfield and ability to quickly transition from defense to attack would fit well within Slot's system.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (MF): Højbjerg's physicality, defensive acumen (again, waning at the moment), and passing range would be valuable in Slot's midfield setup. His ability to win duels, dictate the tempo of the game, and contribute to the pressing game would make him a vital component of Slot's tactics.
Davinson Sánchez (DF): Sánchez's athleticism, speed, and ability to play out from the back (admittedly needs improvement) would suit Slot's style of play. His aggressive approach to defending and willingness to step out with the ball align well with Slot's emphasis on building attacks from the backline.
Son Heung-min (FW): Son's pace, dribbling skills, and clinical finishing make him a perfect fit for Slot's attacking philosophy. His ability to exploit spaces, make quick transitions, and contribute to high-pressing would be highly valued by Slot.
Harry Kane (vice-captain, FW): Kane's all-round skills, including his vision, passing ability, and goal-scoring prowess, would make him an integral part of Slot's attacking approach. His intelligence in dropping deep, linking up play, and providing assists aligns well with Slot's system.
Emerson Royal (DF): Emerson's attacking instincts, pace, and ability to overlap would be valuable in Slot's system that emphasizes the involvement of full-backs in the attacking phase. His willingness to push forward and contribute to both defense and offense would suit Slot's style.
Eric Dier (DF): Dier's positional awareness, aerial ability, and physicality could provide a strong defensive foundation in Slot's system. While his lack of pace might be a minor concern, Dier's ability to read the game and contribute to the build-up play aligns with Slot's tactical approach.
Sergio Reguilón (DF, on loan at Atlético Madrid): Reguilón's energy, pace, and attacking instincts would fit well in Slot's system, especially with his ability to overlap and deliver crosses from the left flank.
Harry Winks (MF, on loan at Sampdoria): Winks' technical ability, composure on the ball, and passing range could be valuable in Slot's possession-based style. However, he is currently on loan at Sampdoria and would need to be assessed upon his return after lengthy injury problems.
Bryan Gil (FW, on loan at Sevilla): Gil's technical skills, dribbling ability, and creativity would be assets in Slot's attacking style of play. However, he is currently on loan at Sevilla and would need to be evaluated upon his return to Tottenham as to whether he is ready for the physicality of the Premier League.
Giovani Lo Celso (MF, on loan at Villarreal): Lo Celso's vision, passing range, and ability to unlock defenses would suit Slot's emphasis on creativity and quick transitions. However, he is currently on loan at Villarreal and Aston Villa wants him at the right price.
Joe Rodon (DF, on loan at Rennes): Rodon's physicality, aerial prowess, and defensive solidity make him a potential asset in Slot's system. However, he is currently on loan at Rennes, has struggled for game time and would need to be evaluated upon his return.
Djed Spence (DF, on loan at Rennes): Spence's pace, attacking instincts, and ability to contribute in wide areas would align well with Slot's emphasis on overlapping full-backs. After a season at Rennes where he has had regular football, he'll be looking to challenge for the right-back slot.
Tanguy Ndombele (MF, on loan at Napoli): Ndombele's technical ability, dribbling skills, and creativity make him a potentially valuable player in Slot's midfield setup. The concern is his work-rate and lack of motivation. His loan spell at Napoli has been on the bench mainly and his suitability for Slot's system will depend upon his indifferent mentality.
Ben Davies (DF): Davies' defensive discipline, versatility, and experience could be beneficial in Slot's tactical approach. While he might not possess the same attacking prowess as other full-backs, his defensive reliability and understanding of Slot's system could make him a valuable asset.
Clément Lenglet (DF, on loan from Barcelona): Lenglet's defensive prowess, composure on the ball, and passing ability would suit Slot's emphasis on building from the back. However, he is currently on loan from Barcelona and that move hasn't been made permanent yet.
Yves Bissouma (MF): Bissouma's athleticism, ball-winning ability, and range of passing make him a potentially strong presence in Slot's midfield. His tenacity and ability to contribute to the pressing game align with Slot's style of play.
Brandon Austin (GK): Austin's distribution skills, shot-stopping ability, and comfort with playing out from the back could make him a suitable reserve goalkeeper for Slot's system. However, his playing time and thus development would need to be considered.
Alfie Whiteman (GK): Whiteman's agility, reflexes, and potential for growth make him a player who could adapt to Slot's style. However, he might be in the challenge with Brandon Austin for the 3rd goalkeeping slot so one of the two might be off on loan somewhere.
Dejan Kulusevski (FW, on loan from Juventus): Kulusevski's versatility, technical ability, and attacking instincts would be valuable in Slot's system. However, he is currently on loan from Juventus and needs to be signed permanently in the summer.
Pedro Porro (DF, on loan from Sporting CP): Porro's energy, pace, and ability to contribute in the attacking phase would align well with Slot's emphasis on overlapping full-backs. However, he is currently on loan from Sporting CP and his defensive contributions have been suspect.
Japhet Tanganga (DF): Tanganga's physicality, versatility, and defensive qualities make him a potential fit in Slot's system. His ability to play as a center-back or full-back could provide depth and flexibility within the squad.
Lucas Moura (FW): Moura's pace, dribbling skills, and ability to create opportunities could be valuable in Slot's attacking style of play. His agility and flair make him a player who can thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced system. However, his contract is up at the end of the season and he is likely to move on.
Pape Matar Sarr (MF): Sarr's energy, box-to-box capabilities, and ability to cover ground make him an intriguing prospect in Slot's midfield. His work rate and versatility could offer options in both offensive and defensive phases.
Rodrigo Bentancur (MF): Bentancur's technical ability, composure, and passing range make him a potential asset in Slot's possession-based style. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game and contribute in the build-up play aligns with Slot's tactical approach.
Harvey White (MF, on loan at Derby County): White's technical skills, vision, and passing ability make him an interesting prospect in Slot's midfield setup. However, he is currently on loan at Derby County and his progress would need to be evaluated upon his return to Tottenham.
Based on Arne Slot's style of play, there are certain players who might face difficulties in adapting or suiting his system.
Players Who Might Face Difficulties:
Hugo Lloris (captain, GK): Age is catching up with Hugo and put under pressure his distribution skills can become questionable. It is likely Spurs will need a younger keeper good on the ball.
Fraser Forster (GK): Forster's playing style, which focuses more on traditional goalkeeping attributes such as shot-stopping and commanding the penalty area, might not align perfectly with Slot's preference for goalkeepers who excel in distribution and playing out from the back.
Richarlison (FW): Richarlison's playing style, characterized by his physicality and directness, may not perfectly suit Slot's emphasis on intricate build-up play and positional interchanges. Slot's system often requires forwards who are more involved in link-up play and intelligent movement off the ball.
Japhet Tanganga (DF): While Tanganga possesses defensive qualities and versatility, his technical abilities and comfort on the ball might not align with Slot's preference for center-backs who can contribute to the build-up play and initiate attacks with accurate passing.
Ben Davies (DF): Davies' lack of pace and attacking instincts might limit his effectiveness in Slot's system, which emphasizes overlapping full-backs who contribute to the attacking phase. Slot's tactics often require full-backs to provide width, overlaps, and crosses, which might be challenging for Davies.
Alfie Whiteman (GK): Whiteman's lack of top-level experience and the need for further development could make it difficult for him to adapt to Slot's demands, especially in terms of distribution and playing out from the back at a high level.
Pedro Porro (DF, on loan from Sporting CP): While Porro's energy and attacking contributions are valuable, his defensive abilities might be tested in Slot's system that requires full-backs to excel in both defensive and offensive phases. His positioning and defensive discipline would need to be assessed.
Rodrigo Bentancur (MF): Bentancur's style of play, which is more centered around ball retention and maintaining possession, might not perfectly suit Slot's preference for quick transitions and high-intensity pressing. Slot's midfielders often need to excel in rapid transitions and contribute to the pressing game.
It's important to note that these assessments are based on the understanding of Arne Slot's style of play and the playing characteristics of the mentioned players.
These assessments are therefore hypothetical.
However, players have the potential to adapt, develop, and thrive under different coaches and systems, and it's always possible for individuals to prove their versatility and adaptability to fit into new tactical approaches.
Two related articles you should read:
- Arne Slot: The Winning Formula Tottenham Hotspur Needs
- The Impact of Player Motivation on Performance: A Tale of Tottenham Hotspur
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2 comments
Very interesting but do my eyes deceive me or have you lost Romero?
Les
Lately much of the media hot-air is carrying Ange Postecoglue's name.
I've been a fan of Ange since his time at Brisbane Roar, where he set the A-League on it's head. I had no doubts about him succeeding at Celtic and expect he would achieve a good outcome for Tottenham, but only if given a season to rebuild and re-shape which is not normally tolerated in the PL.
It would also concern me that THFC have become something of a manager's graveyard and the way that the club currently operates would need to change to become something more workable and professional in how they deal with player acquisitions and sales.
One thing about Ange is that he has the ability to identify players with top level ability in less celebrated leagues. These players are generally in the region of 1-3 million pounds and keen as mustard to make a name for themselves. He works with what is there and doesn't rely on brin…