After a six-game winless start to the season, Tottenham have finally turned things around, winning three of their last four Premier League matches. However, there are still a few players who could make an even greater contribution if Roberto De Zerbi gave them a more prominent role.
James Maddison can make Tottenham tick
De Zerbi has only had the privilege to start a natural number 10 twice in the Premier League this season, with James Maddison featuring from the beginning against Coventry City and Chelsea. On both occasions, Tottenham looked a far more threatening attacking side.
Maddison offered something the team had often lacked: creativity between the lines, someone capable of dictating the tempo and making things happen in the final third. He even marked his return to the starting XI with a wonderful curling effort against Coventry.
Unfortunately, five minutes into the second half against Chelsea, the England international picked up a groin injury. He was subsequently an unused substitute against Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
His absence was not very much felt against Palace, given Spurs had a man advantage for much of the contest. Against Leeds, however, the attack struggled to create chances and progress into the final third, eventually suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat.
That was precisely the sort of game in which Maddison could have made a difference, offering the creativity needed to unlock a stubborn defence.
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His limited minutes have largely been down to fitness management rather than De Zerbi overlooking him. The international break should give him an opportunity to improve his match fitness and push for a more prominent role against Ipswich.
Marcos Senesi deserves more than the odd start
Marcos Senesi arrived at Tottenham on a free transfer after an outstanding campaign with Bournemouth last season, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
The Argentine, who was part of the World Cup-finalists squad in the summer, has nevertheless found regular starts difficult to come by.
He has started just twice in the league this season, against Brentford and Manchester United, and was among Tottenham’s better performers on both occasions. Given his quality, it is difficult to argue that he has not deserved more opportunities.
De Zerbi may need to get creative with his defensive setup, and one possible solution would be to experiment with a back three. The Italian has used the system during his managerial career, and Tottenham have the personnel to make it work.
A back three of Micky van de Ven, Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke would offer plenty of defensive quality, especially against sides that rely heavily on counter-attacks. Senesi is also an excellent ball-playing defender who can break lines from the back, giving Spurs another way to progress possession.
Conor Gallagher is too useful to leave on the Tottenham bench
De Zerbi has always rated Conor Gallagher highly, once describing him as a player who makes his team look like they have 12 men. It is easy to understand why. The former Chelsea midfielder is an absolute workhorse, presses relentlessly and has shown an excellent ability to win possession back in dangerous areas.
Yet Gallagher has managed only three Premier League starts this season. He has occasionally filled in as a number 10, with mixed results, while his other five appearances have come as a substitute.
There is an inevitable feeling that he could become surplus to requirements, given several Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation ahead of January. However, Tottenham are understood to have no interest in letting him leave, with De Zerbi continuing to view him as a valuable member of the squad.
Gallagher has plenty to offer across midfield. He can start games, provide energy as an impact substitute when Spurs are chasing a result, or help bring some much-needed stability when they are protecting a lead. He may not always be the most glamorous option, but every good team needs players willing to do the dirty work.
Luca Williams-Barnett deserves more than late cameos
Saving the best until last, Luca Williams-Barnett is arguably the player who most deserves a bigger role under De Zerbi. The 18-year-old academy graduate has been involved with the first team for much of the campaign, but his opportunities on the pitch have been rather limited.
Williams-Barnett finally made his Premier League debut in Tottenham’s ninth game of the season, coming on for the closing stages of their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. It was a hugely impressive cameo, so much so that he went on to win the Premier League’s October Creative Moment award.
He was introduced again towards the end of the defeat against Leeds, although he could not quite recreate the same impact. That should not count against him. He is still developing, and the only way to accelerate that progress is to give him meaningful minutes.
The youngster has certainly shown enough individual quality to deserve more than occasional late appearances. De Zerbi does not need to throw him straight into the starting XI, but giving him 15-20 minutes in suitable situations would be a sensible next step.
With Spurs looking to build on their recent improvement, these four players could all have an important part to play. Some need an opportunity to return to full fitness, others need more consistent involvement, and one simply needs a little more faith from his manager.