On Spurs: Limping to the finish

For a club that had a brief surge after opening arguably the finest football stadium in the world this past month, that is a victory away from reaching the final of the Champions League, and that has remained in a top four position in the Premier League for much of the season, Spurs’ recent form is quite shocking as it is disappointing.

• 23 February: Burnley 2 Tottenham 1
• 27 February: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1
• 2 March: Tottenham 1 Arsenal 1
• 9 March: Southampton 2 Tottenham 1
• 31 March: Liverpool 2 Tottenham 1
• 3 April: Tottenham 2 Crystal Palace 0
• 13 April: Tottenham 4 Huddersfield 0
• 20 April: Manchester City 1 Tottenham 0
• 23 April: Tottenham 1 Brighton 0
• 27 April: Tottenham 0 West Ham 1
• 4 May: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Spurs have lost seven of their past 11 Premier League matches, and had this been any other season, with any other challengers, surely this recent run of results would have knocked Tottenham out of European football for next season. Yet, while Spurs have struggled and have gained only three of a possible 12 points since 20 April (thanks to Michael Caley for the stat!), Chelsea have claimed only five, Manchester United only two and Arsenal (appallingly) only one.

Although Spurs, who played with nine men for 43 minutes, were defeated by a beach bound Bournemouth side with nothing on the line this past Saturday, it was Arsenal’s 1-1 tie with Brighton and United’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield the following day, that nearly assured Spurs’ fourth consecutive Champions League qualification. Arsenal will need a Spurs defeat to Everton, and will need to overturn an eight-goal difference in victory against Burnley on the final day. This seems highly improbable.

Spurs recent downturn in form can likely be explained by a few factors, which underlie why performances, other than a few moments of magic, have been largely staid and static over the last several weeks.

Injuries and lack of depth

Much has been made of Spurs’ lack of transfer activities this season, and they are the first and only side in Premier League history to not make a single transfer in the lead up or during the season. This was largely justified, as the club’s financial resources were tied up in expenses related to the new stadium, and the cost for the most marginal of players was deemed overly indulgent and not financially prudent (eg: Wilfried Zaha or Jack Grealish for £50 million). Likewise, the acquisition of Lucas Moura and Moussa Sissoko in recent windows proved that Mauricio Pochettino’s system takes some time for even the most cultured footballer to acclimate to, as neither player was successfully integrated into the squad immediately, despite the high price tags. Yet, as the season has worn on, Spurs have experienced an injury crisis that they have been unable to effectively cope with.

Eric Dier has played a handful of matches since Christmas, and has looked a shadow of his best self (including a 45 minute horror show this past weekend against Bournemouth, in which he surely should have been sent off).

Harry Kane first injured his left ankle in January, late in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United. He hurried back in time for the North London derby in early March, never looked fully fit, and then reinjured the same ankle on 9 April, in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City. Kane, not only poaches goals, but is crucial in the club’s efforts to press and harangue opposition defenders, provide holdup play for the Spurs’ other creative players, and can also provide tactical flexibility, as he has the ability to drop back and make critical, incisive passes. Spurs have survived in the Champions League without Kane, largely due to the explosive pace of Son Heung-min and his devastating counterattacks. However, when Son misses matches (as he did in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, or in the second half of the match this past weekend against Bournemouth, as he was sent off), Spurs look slightly beyond their best in trying to cope with an energetic but inefficient Lucas Moura, a lumbering Fernando Llorente and even the much maligned, long forgotten, Vincent Janssen (who has made two recent, late substitute appearances in recent weeks).

Harry Winks has proven to be an indispensable and more important link in Spurs’ buildup play over the last two seasons, and has notched a few memorable moments namely his performance at the Bernabeu in the Champions League group stage in 2017, and his late second match winner this past January at Fulham. However, Winks suffered a groin injury in early March, and other than featuring for 21 minutes against Crystal Palace in the first match at the new stadium, he has been out of the lineup. Winks underwent surgery on his groin late last month, and has been unable to contribute to this deep European run. Without Mousa Dembele, who was sold to the Chinese League in the January window, and without a healthy Eric Dier, Spurs have had to use Moussa Sissoko relentlessly in the second half of this season. Sissoko himself was hurt in the Champions League quarterfinal, second leg, and the much less mobile Victor Wanyama was forced to cover. Winks’ vital role in the squad was exposed during this period.

Erik Lamela (who has not played since the North London derby in March) and Serge Aurier (who has missed ten matches in a row) have been also injured with groin and hamstring injuries. Although neither player have been starting many matches this season, they have proven to be reliable covers at their respective positions, their absences further compounding Pochettino’s issues with squad depth.

Diminished performances from Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier

Much of Spurs’ success over the last four seasons has been due to the quality of performances delivered by Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. Because of the issues related to injury and the lack of depth, Pochettino has had to rely moreso on Christian Eriksen to provide the club with some quality and creativity, particular when Kane, Son and Dele have been out. Eriksen is second on the club in minutes played this season at 3,859 in all competitions (only Toby Alderweireld has played more at 4,093) and has been the leader in minutes played over the last four seasons. Surely coming off a long summer, in which he captained Denmark to an appearance in the round of 16 at the World Cup, there must be an element of fatigue. Eriksen’s performances have been largely inconsistent and he has shown a lack of quality at times, hitting errant passes or misfiring shots over the target. Though he has notched nine goals this year, including big goals in the Champions League to help the club qualify for the knockout stage, he is behind last season’s 14 and the 12 he scored in 2016-17.

Dele Alli has also been wildly inconsistent this season, missing time in January through March with a hamstring strain, and fracturing his hand against Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinal. Dele has scored only seven goals this season, and only once since Christmas. This pales in comparison to the 22 goals he scored in 2016-17. Additionally, due to the injuries in midfield, Dele has had to play in various roles in the midfield, from the wing, and into more defensive roles (as he did against Manchester City, when Moussa Sissoko was injured in the second leg of the quarterfinal). He continues to generate chances, as evidenced this past weekend with multiple attempts on target. However, the cutting edge has been largely lacking.

Kieran Trippier, who was viewed as a golden boy and one of the best right backs in the Premier League after his impressive showing with England at last summer’s World Cup, has had a disastrous season. Trippier’s strengths include his crosses and set pieces, both of which have failed to live up to the same standard he provided last season and during the World Cup. Additionally, he has been a liability defensively, prone to taking an extra, careless touch. Stats provider, Squawka, noted Trippier gave away possession 28 times in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Ajax. Pochettino could have relied on Serge Aurier to fill in for Trippier, but again, Aurier has been injured for much of the second half of the season. Kyle Walker-Peters has also slotted into right back duties this season, but his inexperience and defensive frailty have also been part of the reason he has been held out in the more important matches. Pochettino has also been forced to play Juan Foyth out of position as a right back, most notably against Manchester City.

With all these issues affecting the club, it is a wonder how Pochettino has managed to guide the squad to such accomplishments this season. He has certainly received a bit of luck in the league with the collapses of his biggest rivals for top four position, and a bit of pixie dust in the Champions League quarterfinals (VAR anyone?), but based on the most recent results in the league, the worry is that the clock will strike midnight for Cinderella later this week.

Jaideep Kanungo