The pending arrival of Spanish wonderkid Bryan Gil could see Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs set-up in a completely new way to which we haven’t seen in recent years.
There is plenty of talk that the team could line-up with two strikers next season, with Danny Ings reportedly the club’s top target to line-up next to Harry Kane, but thus far there has been no developments on that front.
During the pre-season friendlies against Leyton Orient and Colchester United, the team has lined-up mainly in a 4-3-3 formation, with Dele Alli dropping deeper in a roaming playmaker kind of role.
Paperworks stage in the next hours between Tottenham and Sevilla for Bryan Gil-Erik Lamela swap deal. Itβs confirmed and done, both will move on permanent. π€ #THFC
Bryan Gil set to sign until June 2026 as Spurs player. β¬25m to Sevilla as included fee, confirmed. πͺπΈ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2021
Steven Bergwijn occupied the left-wing role, hogging the touchline and stretching the play before making runs in behind – something which Gil would be more than capable of doing when he comes into the team.
However, as a natural left-footer, not only will Gil be making those runs and terrorising the defence, but he will also be able to consistently deliver crosses that Kane would feed off.
Bryan Gil – starboy #thfc pic.twitter.com/Fe4zulkC3v
— Hotspur Lane (@HotspurLane) July 20, 2021
Alternatively, he could be used on the right, cutting in onto his left – but Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui doesn’t believe he is capable of operating in that style, which is one of the key reasons he has been allowed to leave the club.
Another way he could line-up in a slightly different role is if Nuno reverts to the three-man defence he favoured at Wolves, which would likely see him used in a 3-4-3 formation, with Son on the opposite flank
Bryan Gil (20):
The 5ft 7inch dazzling star has earned the nickname 'Little Cruyff' for his displays on the wing and brilliant dribbling skills in tight areas.
He's not afraid to take on players, draws fouls and his movement is top class.
We've got ourself a starboy. ππͺπΈ pic.twitter.com/JK1Hat8XyZ
— The Spurs Web βͺοΈ (@thespursweb) July 20, 2021
Potential line-ups:
(4-3-3) Hugo Lloris; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nikola Milenkovic, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon; Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso; Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Bryan Gil
(4-4-2) Hugo Lloris; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nikola Milenkovic, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon; Heung-min Son, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryan Gil; Harry Kane, Danny Ings
(3-4-3) Hugo Lloris; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nikola Milenkovic, Joe Rodon; Matt Doherty, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguilon; Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Bryan Gil