Dele Alli can fill Tottenham’s creative void with a switch to number 10

Thu 16 September 2021 12:15, UK

Tottenham have been a side devoid of creativity this season, yet the answer could be right in front of them.

Three 1-0 wins and a 3-0 defeat have kicked off Spurs’ season.

The 4-3-3 is Nuno’s go to system at Spurs, but Dele has suffered from it.

Dele has been used a box-to-box midfield in the three man midfield, but he can do a lot more further up the pitch.

In Tottenham’s pomp under Mauricio Pochettino we saw the best of Dele as a number 10 who often burst into the box.

Not only would a change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 allow Dele to do this again, it would open up more space for the wingers.

Dele is undoubtedly at his best when playing as an attacking midfielder.

For Tottenham, his record stands as 42 goals and 43 assists in 153 games from the number 10 role ().

The versatility of the Tottenham man seems to have worked against him at times.

Dele can deputise as a make shift centre-forward, a left sided midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder.

This has seen him spend a lot of time away from his preferred role as an attacking midfielder.

This Spurs side rely on Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to score their goals but Dele could be a wildcard.

Pushing the 25-year-old further up the field would certainly get more out of him.

Spurs miss his ability to make late runs into the box and thread passes for those ahead of him.

The only downside of moving Dele further forward is losing his defensive abilities.

However, in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp the Lilywhites have a strong midfield base to break up opposition attacks.

When Dele gets going he’s a menace, and the fans haven’t seen that side of him in a long time.

That simply has to change if Spurs are to fill the creativity void.

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