How Can Tottenham Develop Stronger On-Field Leadership?

How Can Tottenham Develop Stronger On-Field Leadership?

There are plenty of questions:

• Is Sonny the right captain? 
• Is his leadership style effective?
• Does it influence individual performance and thus results?
• Do Spurs have the best leadership group?
• Would the Yces Bissouma situation have happened under a stronger style of leadership?
• Are there other options going forward?

Tottenham Hotspur has always been a club with passionate supporters and a rich history, but in recent years, one recurring issue has been the lack of effective on-field leadership results would suggest.

With the current squad led by Son Heung-min as captain, James Maddison and Cristian Romero as vice-captains, there’s a lot to unpack about how effective this leadership trio is and what can be done to enhance our on-field performance.

As we discussed in a previous article on Tottenham's struggles with complacency during games, one of the key factors contributing to this issue might be the lack of effective, vocal leadership on the pitch. 

While our current captains bring a variety of leadership styles, the absence of a unified, commanding voice during crucial moments can lead to lapses in concentration and ultimately, points dropped. 

This makes it even more critical for Spurs to develop stronger on-field leadership, ensuring that our dominance in possession translates into consistent victories.

As we continue to analyze Tottenham's current challenges, it's clear that the issues of leadership and mental resilience are not isolated. 

In our recent exploration of how Spurs' struggles on the pitch parallel those of the England cricket team, we saw similar themes of inconsistency and the need for stronger leadership. 

This is further emphasized in our discussion of Tottenham's hidden flaw, why the team, despite dominating games, often fails to maintain or capitalise on that dominance. 

Both articles highlight the underlying issues that tie directly into the need for improved on-field leadership, making it a critical focus for the club moving forward.

Analyzing the Current Leadership Dynamics

Son Heung-min - The Captain: Sonny is a player who leads by example. His work rate, humility, and dedication are second to none. 

He’s loved not just by Spurs fans, but by football fans around the world. 

However, Son is not your typical vocal leader. 

He’s more of a "lead by actions" type, which can sometimes leave a gap in the team when it comes to those crucial moments where a more vocal presence is needed to rally the troops.

Harry Kane was the same and I'm not a fan of this type of captain as it leaves everyone else to their own devices basically.

For me a leader needs to lead and be seen to lead, that was certainly my style even though off the field I wasn't the outgoing type you'd naturally associate with this approach.

James Maddison - The Creative Spark: Maddison, as vice-captain, brings a different energy to the pitch. He’s confident, expressive, and isn’t afraid to demand the ball or try something bold. 

His leadership style is more about inspiring through his creativity and flair, but he’s also shown glimpses of being able to step up and take responsibility in critical moments. 

However, being relatively new to the club, you'd suggest he was still finding his voice within the squad, but the squad has been dramatically overhauled so the issue is more of acceptance by these new young players as a leader, not as a player.

Despite expecting Son to be appointed initially, my choice was Maddison with Romero and Son as vice-captains.

Cristian Romero - The Enforcer: Romero, our defensive rock, brings aggression and passion to the game. His no-nonsense approach and physical presence are vital for Tottenham, especially in the backline. 

As a vice-captain, his leadership style is more about setting the tone defensively and intimidating the opposition. 

But his fiery temperament can sometimes be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to disciplinary issues. The vice-captaincy responsibility does seem to have tempered this though.

The Group Dynamic:

While all three captains bring something unique to the table, the current leadership structure might lack a certain cohesiveness. 

Son’s quiet leadership, combined with Maddison’s flair and Romero’s aggression, covers a broad spectrum of leadership styles, but it might not always translate into a unified voice on the pitch. 

This can be crucial during tough matches where a single, clear leader needs to step up and guide the team through difficult patches.

The Ideal Leadership Scenario for Tottenham

To truly elevate our on-field leadership, Tottenham might need to consider a few strategic adjustments, especially as I'm expecting Romero to join Ral Madrid next summer and Son to potentially be sold while we can still get a decent fee for him to help with the rebuild.

1. Grooming a Vocal Leader: We need a player who isn’t just a captain in name but can also command respect and organize the team during high-pressure situations.
   
   Ideally, this could be someone from within the current squad who steps up, but if that player doesn’t exist, we might need to look externally.

2. Emphasizing Leadership Training: Leadership can be cultivated. Spurs could invest in specific leadership training programs for potential leaders within the squad.
   
   This could involve working with sports psychologists or bringing in former players who have captained teams successfully.
   
   The goal would be to develop a more assertive, cohesive leadership group that can operate in harmony rather than having fragmented styles.
   
   Identifying young talent could give us effective leadership for many years to come. A new Mr Tottenham as it were to stand in stature alongside Steve Perryman MBE.

3. Utilizing the Squad’s Natural Leaders: Aside from Son, Maddison, and Romero, there are still other players within the current Tottenham squad who could step up to provide leadership.
   
   For example, Rodrigo Bentancur could play a crucial role. Though currently recovering from injury, Bentancur has the experience, composure, and tactical awareness needed to help guide the team, particularly in midfield.
   
   His leadership qualities were evident during his time at Juventus, and he has the potential to become a more vocal presence as he regains full fitness.

   Another potential leader could be Guglielmo Vicario, the new goalkeeper.
   
   He has established himself at Spurs and goalkeepers often naturally take on leadership roles due to their unique position on the field.
   
   Vicario’s communication skills and ability to organize the defence could make him a key figure in Tottenham’s leadership structure.
   
   I'm not a fan of goalkeeper captains as they are too far removed from the players for most of the game, let them take control in the box I say.

   Lastly, Dejan Kulusevski has shown maturity beyond his years, and although he’s still young, he possesses a strong mentality and a winning attitude.
   
   His experience playing in Serie A and now in the Premier League makes him a potential candidate to grow into a leadership role over time.
   
   Looking at our young squad, I think he could be a key figure.

   By fostering these players and integrating them more visibly into the leadership structure, Spurs could cultivate a more cohesive and balanced group of leaders that complements the existing captaincy of Son Heung-min and his vice-captains.

4. Potential New Signings: If Spurs are to look outside the club, we should focus on players who naturally fit our style of play but also bring leadership qualities.
   
   Ruben Neves, currently in Saudi Arabia, could have been an option for his leadership and midfield control.
   
   However, more realistic targets might include players like Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled for game time at Manchester City (my issue is his weight fight and thus motivation) but has shown leadership qualities at Leeds,
   
   The other option is looking abroad for a seasoned captain from a top European league who can slot into our midfield or defence.

The Wrap Up

Tottenham’s current leadership isn’t broken, but it can certainly be refined and may well need tinkering or changing next summer. 

By fostering a stronger, more vocal long-term leadership group and possibly bringing in new faces who can lead by both voice and example, Spurs can build a team that’s not just talented but also mentally resilient and strategically astute. 

It would be an interesting exercise for a sports psychologist to place in order the 20 Premier League teams by mentality and then perhaps sides across Europe, looking for common traits.

It would make a great and original thesis for a sports psychology student.

We need leaders who can rally the team when things get tough, maintain focus when we’re dominating and inspire confidence in every match. 

This is how we’ll turn potential into trophies and it’s an 'unseen journey' that needs to be carefully considered.

Questions

Q1: What impact does a lack of vocal leadership have on Tottenham’s ability to maintain focus and intensity in games?

A: A lack of vocal leadership can lead to moments of complacency and lapses in concentration, especially when the team is dominating possession. 

Without a strong, vocal leader to constantly drive the team and maintain urgency, it’s easy for players to relax, which can lead to costly mistakes. 

Strengthening vocal leadership on the pitch is crucial for maintaining intensity and ensuring that the team doesn’t drop points unnecessarily.

Q2: Can Tottenham’s younger players, like Archie Gray, Micky Van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall, contribute to the team’s leadership dynamic?

A: While Gray, Van de Ven and Bergvall are still young, their development into leadership roles is something that could be fostered over time. 

Initially, they can contribute by bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to the team. 

As they gain more experience, they could gradually take on more responsibility and potentially grow into leadership roles, particularly if they are mentored by the more experienced players around them.

I think Archie Gray in particular has the potential, he is mature beyond his years and has a knowledge of the game others perhaps don't.

He and Dejan Kulusevski could be monitored by James Maddison in a new-look leadership next season. That would give the club potential stability of leadership for years to come.

Something to think about.

COYS