So far this season, Christian Eriksen’s poor form has been clear for all to see. Comparing his stats from this season to last is very telling, in 2018/19 the Dane averaged more shots, key passes and dribbles per game than he is currently managing the Premier League this season (WhoScored).
With that in mind, it’s vital that the Lilywhites replace his creativity somehow, and there are a few candidates for the role in the current squad at Spurs. Both Erik Lamela and Dele Alli are certainly options, but given his bright start to the season and the ongoing midfield conundrum, trialling this man in Eriksen’s role could kill two birds with one stone.
The man we’re talking about is, of course, Tanguy Ndombele. The Frenchman has been a revelation since he made his move from Lyon over the summer (BBC), starting by getting an assist in his first involvement during pre-season off the bench against Juventus.
Things have only continued along that same line too as the Premier League season has drawn on. The midfielder scored the club’s first competitive goal of the season against Aston Villa on the Premier League’s opening weekend and since then has gone on to add a further goal and three assists (Transfermarkt).
The stats are telling, though. So far in his career as a Tottenham player in the league, Ndombele has proven to be the complete package as a midfielder. He’s defended well, averaging 2.3 tackles per game and looked very tidy on the ball too with 0.8 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game (WhoScored).
It may not be an easy transition for Ndombele going from the base of midfield in a two or a three to playing as a #10, but with Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko the capable midfield pairing able to form a pivot behind the 22-year-old, playing him further up the pitch is certainly an experiment worth trying.