Tottenham are now interested in bringing Xabi Alonso back to the Premier League as Daniel Levy attempts to replace Antonio Conte.
De Telegraaf believe Spurs have now made the Spaniard their No.1 target as they aim to kick on next season.
With the Dutch news outlet’s story in mind, let’s take a look at how Tottenham could line up under Alonso…
How Tottenham XI could look under Xabi Alonso
Well, the 41-year-old has put his name up in lights in the world of football management as his exciting 3-4-3 formation transforms Bayer Leverkusen’s season.
Alonso has taken the German side from 17th to sixth in the Bundesliga, in addition to the UEFA Europa League Semi-Final, as years of learning from Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola pay off.
As you can see, we think Alonso will hand Dejan Kulusevski a role at right wing-back in order to get the Sweden international involved in his starting XI as well as Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Richarlison.
Some may argue that this would nullify the Swede.
However, Alonso has used Jeremie Frimpong in that area this season, and the Dutchman has repaid his manager’s faith with an outstanding return of nine goals and ten assists.
Therefore, Alonso clearly views his right wing-back position as more of an attacking area than a defensive position.
On the opposite side, the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic have struggled to make the left-back role their own, so we believe Pedro Porro could be used as an inverted left wing-back on that flank.
If not Porro, then another of Alonso’s fellow Spaniards Sergio Reguilon could be in line for a resurgence in N17 when he returns from his loan spell at Atlético Madrid.
The centre-back department is arguably Alonso’s most worrying area if he does end up joining Tottenham.
The likes of Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga and Clement Lenglet have struggled this season, so we would advise Spurs to sign some fresh faces in that area.
However, if we had to choose from Tottenham’s existing options, we would suggest Alonso uses Romero, Dier and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg at centre-back.
Now, that latter suggestion may sound strange seeing as the Denmark international is a midfielder.
However, Guardiola used Alonso at centre-back during his time at Bayern Munich, which gave the German giants a solid base to build attacks out from defence.
Of course, Højbjerg is no Alonso, but he is a strong passer of the ball and can also tackle well, so it could work.
The Dane has also admitted in an interview with BT Sport that he “learned a lot” from watching Alonso during their time together at Bayern Munich, so he should know exactly what needs to be done to thrive in that position.
That leaves Hugo Lloris in goal, although, like the centre-back department, we would suggest Tottenham sign a fresh face in that area.
To round off Tottenham’s potential XI under Alonso, a midfield duo of Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp should be used, unless Spurs sign upgrades in that area.
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