On Wednesday night in Bilbao, Tottenham will take on Manchester United in the Europa League Final, and they will need a hero to step up in the attacking midfield. All of Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, and now Dejan Kulusevski are out for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, leaving a gaping hole in the creativity and ball progression departments.
Tottenham fans are left wondering what manager Ange Postecoglou will do to fill this void between the midfield and attack, because Spurs are going to need a creative impetus to emerge if they are to secure victory against a Bruno Fernandes-led Manchester United on May 21.
Although striker Dominic Solanke is one solution as the 10, the best possible option looks like young Frenchman Wilson Odobert, though he may be inexperienced. Postecoglou gave the 20-year-old a big opportunity in the starting lineup this past weekend against Aston Villa as Tottenham's No. 10, and Odobert was actually one of the few bright spots in a 2-0 defeat for Spurs.
Wilson Odobert has skills
Appearing on a video posted to the Europa League TikTok account, Tottenham superstar left winger Son Heung-min was asked a series of questions naming the best Spurs player in each particular category. For example, Tottenham's main No. 10, James Maddison, was Son's answer for the Spurs player with the best Football IQ.
Interestingly enough, his ostensible backup, Wilson Odobert, was Son's answer to the question of the Tottenham player with the most skill. And when you watch Odobert play, it's easy to see why. He's the best pure dribbler on the team, especially in short areas, with silky smooth skills and change of direction that allow him to link up with teammates in tight spaces in the attacking third.
That should make Odobert the key as the new No. 10 for this game against Manchester United. It's a bit of a risk given Odobert's lack of experience, but a lot of that is down to his lack of minutes due to injury. Odobert has been a spark and a solid creator when he does play, often creating because of his skill on the ball.
Starting Odobert for Tottenham vs. Manchester United carries higher upside than any other option because of his creativity and skill. He could potentially capture lightening in a bottle for Spurs, and the fact that a player like Son is praising his skill compared to his teammates is a sign that Postecoglou should strongly consider taking this small gamble. There isn't a better option on paper.