Tim Sherwood has claimed that Tottenham are ‘a little bit stodgy’ in midfield with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, as he told Premier League Productions.
Both players are known for their aggression, hard-hitting talents, defensive qualities and ability to bring the ball out from tight areas, but Sherwood questioned their forward-thinking play.
With Bentancur and Hojbjerg being that defensive shield in front of the back three, Harry Kane dropping deep and Heung-Min Son making runs off the ball, it’s working a treat for Tottenham so far.
There’s no doubt that a Christian Eriksen-like figure is missing from the middle of the park, but that’s not the fault of their newly-formed midfield duo.
Nonetheless, this is what Sherwood had to say about Tottenham’s midfield and how it is lacking ‘guile’.
“Hojbjerg I think is a very good player in the six area and Bentancur,” said Sherwood.
“But have they got the guile? Have they got the passing range going forward? For me, I think they are a little bit stodgy in that area.”
Whilst Hojbjerg was one of Tottenham’s standout performers last season, his form has been indifferent during this campaign.
But, when the currently-injured Oliver Skipp was alongside him in midfield, he was much better and things have picked up for the Dane following the arrival of Bentancur from Juventus.
The January signing has taken to Premier League life like a duck to water, feeling at ease with the faced-paced nature of the game and showcasing the efforts needed without the ball in a Conte system.
Just like Dejan Kulusevski, the duo have been two outstanding purchases, and if Spurs can get a consistent run together, then they can play a crucial part in the team securing that all-important final Champions League spot.
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