Roberto De Zerbi‘s style of play has seemingly brought out the best in Pedro Porro at Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs’ dismal campaign can be put down to numerous factors, but underperforming players are certainly the main one.
For far too long, the majority of the senior squad have been levels below what is expected of them, and Porro has been one of them.
The Spaniard has looked vulnerable defensively and failed to offer the level of creativity going forward that we all became accustomed to.
However, after Tottenham’s draw with Leeds on Monday night, that looks to have changed, and it bodes well for the final two games.
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Pedro Porro’s numbers vs Leeds United
Porro had managed 15 Premier League assists in his two and a half seasons in the Premier League prior to the current one, where he has since managed just two.
His quality in the final third has been lacking, though it was a very different story against Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.
The Spaniard created three chances, which was the most of any player on the pitch, with an xA of 0.39.
With 87 touches, Porro also had the most of anyone on the night, and the majority of them led to something meaningful for the Lilywhites, with four crosses and dribbles completed.
He completed 40 of his 48 attempted passes, resulting in an 83 per cent pass accuracy, which is 8.6 per cent higher than his season average.
Defensively, he made four tackles and won six duels, showcasing a slight improvement in that area of his game as well.
Tottenham need Porro to maintain Leeds form
Safety remains in Tottenham’s hands, though one defeat could change all of that depending on how West Ham get on in their final two games.
And if they are to avoid that, they will need to ensure Porro maintains the levels he showcased against Leeds.
He can be a difference-maker in the wide areas, and with two tough games approaching, his quality in those areas could prove to be crucial.
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