The Kenyan has been excellent since arriving from Southampton this summer, and gives the Tottenham boss viable options in midfield.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama celebrates scoring against Palace
Tottenham’s decision to sign Victor Wanyama this summer looked like a sensible move, with a number of midfielders expected to move on at the time and with Mousa Dembele missing the first few games of the season
Now it is looking like Pochettino’s decision to sign the Kenya international for the second time is more of a masterstroke, and perhaps the club’s best piece of business of the transfer window.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
With Spurs sitting in second place and having just confidently beaten the team at the top of the division, it is fair to say that the 25-year-old has already proven himself to be a major success, with his performance in the 2-0 win over Manchester City the perfect example of that.
There was uncertainty as to where Wanyama would fit in if the club were fortunate enough to have a full midfield to choose from. Against City, he proved that he could come in for Eric Dier in the anchorman role and would be dominant enough to work alongside a player like Christian Eriksen, who would traditionally be outmuscled in such matches, such was his authority.
To the Dane’s credit, he rolled his sleeves up against Guardiola’s side and did plenty of good work in the press and turning over the ball. But Wanyama was sensational and breaking up play, making tackles that made it clear there was a wall in front of the Spurs defence and also using the ball well when he received it. His style of play suggests he is something between Dier and Dembele – perfect for this Tottenham squad.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama celebrates with manager Mauricio Pochettino
It is worth noting that Wanyama has started every Premier League game this season, even if Dier has been playing, and his highlights reel already includes the performance against City and a match winner against Crystal Palace. Dembele is yet to make proper return to the squad, with injury niggles ruling him out of recent games, but Wanyama, and the positional changes Pochettino has seen work with Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Winks all looking good in the pivot alongside the Kenyan, have made it clear the club have viable alternative options in the central midfield area.
In recent times, midfield depth, especially when Dembele is missing from the side, has had a tendency to leave the eleven on the pitch struggling to assert their authority in matches. Wanyama has emphatically helped provide a solution to such problems.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose celebrates scoring their first goal with Victor Wanyama and team mates
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