Tim Sherwood thinks Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur are ‘restricted’ under the tactics of Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs recorded a 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, with Hojbjerg getting on the scoresheet and Sherwood wants to see the Denmark international, along with Bentancur, ‘express’ themselves a lot more, as he told Premier League Productions (15/10/22 at 7:40 pm).
Given that Conte usually likes to play a midfield two, then it’s very hard for the players in the middle of the park to push forward and express themselves, especially given that it’s the wing-backs’ job to get forward and be the extra bodies in the final third.
But against Everton, Richarlison was forced off with an injury in the second half and Conte opted to bring Yves Bissouma on in his place.
He went with that tactic against Brighton the week before, but from the start, as that extra man, allowed the likes of Hojbjerg and Bentancur to roam forward more because there is extra protection behind them and another defensive brain.
That’s why, after Harry Kane had opened the scoring via the penalty spot, Bentancur was feeding Hojbjerg on the edge of the penalty area to double Tottenham’s lead.
“The two midfield players are bursting forward (Bentancur and Hojbjerg),” said Sherwood. “If you look at the back of the picture, you have Bissouma in the centre of the pitch.
“The protection is there because of the forced change. It allowed these players to get forward and express themselves. They are capable of doing it, but for large parts of the season, they have been restricted.
“But that’s the way Conte wants to play. How can we knock it? The best start they have had in the Premier League for a very long time.
“Hojbjerg can score more. He has scored a couple of goals this season. Bentancur has more to offer. But sometimes they are restricted and he wants to play in that pivot. They play sideways and backwards far too often. They would prefer to get forward.”
TOTTENHAM MIDFIELD THRIVING
It’s Tottenham’s front three and their wing-backs that are supposed to make the ball talk, it’s the midfield two, along with the three at the back who do the ugly stuff.
The great thing about Tottenham’s two midfielders is that, when needed, they can get forward and provide that attacking threat.
Hojbjerg has seemingly been held back, yet he still has three Premier League goals this season, that’s more than Manchester City’s £100 million man Jack Grealish and only one fewer than the entire Wolves team.
So, it’s all about being efficient with this Spurs side and they are brutal and very punishing in that regard.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
