Jamie Redknapp has suggested on Sky Sports that West Ham United’s midfield trio of Tomas Soucek, Mark Noble and Declan Rice are superior ‘footballers’ to Tottenham Hotspur midfield three last night.
Jose Mourinho picked Giovani Lo Celso, Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli to start in midfield for Spurs yesterday, and Redknapp had concerns over the qualities of the trio on the ball.
Without Harry Winks, Redknapp felt that Tottenham would lack a ball-player.
And he suggested that West Ham’s players actually had more ability in possession that the Spurs midfield.
“I’m not a fan of that midfield three to be honest. Harry Winks did ever so well against United. I look at that midfield and you’ve to have possession of the ball,” he said.
“They’re not great on the ball, Lo Celso will pick it up and run with it. The emphasis on Sissoko to get on the half turn and play forward quickly, it’s not really his game.
“When I look at West Ham’s midfield with Noble, Rice and Soucek they might actually have more footballers who can keep the ball.”
Fair comment?
Redknapp’s suggestion that Lo Celso isn’t ‘great on the ball’ has to be considered slightly baffling, as the Argentine was absolutely brilliant last night.
Lo Celso is one of the most naturally gifted footballers in Tottenham’s squad and he played a starring role in Mourinho’s side’s 2-0 win last night.
Sissoko has always faced question marks over his ability on the ball, but he has also proved his worth in other departments.
In the end Tottenham had 65% possession last night, as they secured the victory, which suggests that Redknapp’s fears about his former side’s midfield were largely unfounded, despite a slow start.
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