Tottenham Hotspur head into a crucial run of fixtures knowing time is running out, and while signs of improvement are there, one selection call could prove decisive ahead of Wolves.
Tottenham Hotspur are desperate to get out of the relegation places this season, and they will be hoping to do so in the next five games.
Their draw against Brighton, although disappointing, does offer some solace, as Tottenham put in one of their better performances of the season, even coming close to snatching all three points against the Seagulls.
Xavi Simons was the star of the show alongside several of his teammates who put in strong displays, and we believe that if De Zerbi names five players who impressed against Brighton in Tottenham’s next encounter against Wolves, then his side could walk away with their first win of the year.
However, the new Spurs boss might also want to consider making one key change to his starting XI ahead of next Saturday’s encounter, and that is dropping Randal Kolo Muani.
Why Tottenham should drop Randal Kolo Muani vs Wolves
There is no denying that if Mohammed Kudus had not suffered an injury setback a couple of weeks ago, he would have been the one featuring out on the right for Spurs.
Sadly, though, his injury has forced De Zerbi to get creative and search for a new solution, with Muani the one the Italian has turned to.
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The on-loan Parisian forward, however, has not lived up to expectations as yet when playing on the right in the last two games for Tottenham.
In the clash against Brighton, he was a passenger for most of it, as he managed just 19 touches all game, with four of those touches coming in the opposition box.
Of course, in this era, creativity from the wings is crucial, but Muani does not offer that at the moment, as the forward once more failed to create any chances for his side.
His underlying numbers suggest that he is struggling to influence proceedings in the final third, and when those struggles continue while the attack itself looks better, then it could well be a personnel issue.
For some context, Pedro Porro, who plays at right-back, has looked more threatening from that position compared to Muani. In fact, the full-back managed a goal, a shot in the box, created more chances and played more passes into the final third in the game against Brighton.
Kolo Muani vs Brighton stats
Mathys Tel offers Spurs a better attacking outlet
With Muani still struggling, we do believe that it is time for De Zerbi to try something different on the right as Spurs push for wins in the final games of the season.
The one solution that is readily available for the Italian is to deploy a natural winger out there, and that, at the moment, for Tottenham is Mathys Tel.
However, since De Zerbi took charge of Spurs, the young Frenchman, who was getting more game time under Igor Tudor, has seen his minutes reduced to cameos off the bench.
That, of course, is a bit surprising given how direct and purposeful Tel was on the left for Spurs under the former interim boss.
Indeed, it is difficult to see how he fits in on the left again after Simons’ impressive display against Brighton, where he was given a free role despite being named as a left winger.
The Dutchman grabbed a goal and an assist, and also linked up well with Destiny Udogie. Given the display against Brighton, it looks like the balance on the left of Spurs’ attack is improving. However, the right still needs some work, and at the moment Muani is not the answer.
The PSG man has not really got going in a Tottenham shirt this season, as he has managed just one goal and an assist in 25 league appearances.
Clearly, for a club struggling, you need something more, and if a player is not contributing goals or assists, then he has to make up for it in other areas, but again, Muani does not deliver in that regard.
Tel, on the other hand, has three goals despite playing 959 minutes of football; however, he also brings more to the table aside from goals, with his dribbling and ability to marshal the wing.