Tudor prefers back-three system but says Spurs will use formation that suits the players available
Tottenham face Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday
Tottenham Hotspur FC / @SpursOfficial on Twitter
Sam Tabuteau
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Igor Tudor kickstarts his Tottenham tenure at home to Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday.
Tudor has been appointed until the end of the season, with the main aim of ensuring Spurs finish comfortably clear of the relegation zone.
Following Thomas Frank’s departure, Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League and just five points clear of 18th-placed West Ham after a run of two wins in 17 league games.
Tudor has been tasked with steadying the ship, having proven himself capable of quickly turning around clubs’ fortunes during his spells at Udinese, Marseille, Juventus, and Lazio.
His high-pressing, attacking philosophy is ultimately predicated on a strong defensive structure, and he has often leaned on the solidity of a 3-4-2-1 formation to ensure his teams are first and foremost hard to beat.
Spurs have appointed Igor Tudor until the end of the season
Tottenham Hotspur FC / THFC
Tudor has used a back three in 120 of his 124 league matches in Europe's top five leagues, but he has admitted he will need to find a system to suit the players he has available.
Here are three ways Spurs could line up under him in in the north London derby...
Tudor goes with what he knows in a 3-4-2-1
Randal Kolo Muani played some of the best football of his career during Tudor’s short spell at Juventus, and he could be given a new lease of life after a difficult season at Spurs.
Kolo Muani, who scored 10 goals in 19 matches for Juventus last season, has struggled to make an impact at Spurs since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
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The 27-year-old is yet to score in 18 Premier League appearances for Spurs, but Tudor knows how to get the best out of him and with Solanke still working his way back to full match fitness, there could be an opportunity for Kolo Muani.
Kolo Muani has grown frustrated with being played out of position at Spurs, often used on the right wing instead of through the middle under Frank.
Randal Kolo Muani did well under Tudor at Juventus
AFP via Getty Images
With Tudor at the helm, Kolo Muani could be given a chance as the lone striker in the Croatian’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
However, a potentially more popular move could also see Kolo Muani used alongside Xavi Smons as one of the two central No10s behind Solanke, who has been in excellent form since returning from injury.
With Cristian Romero suspended and Kevin Danso still out injured, Joao Palhinha could continue in a three-man defence.
If Pedro Porro is fit, he and Djed Spence will start as wing-backs.
Tottenham possible XI (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro/Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke
Simons and Kolo Muani as wide forwards in a 3-4-3
Tudor will be keen to get Kolo Muani and Solanke in the same team as he tries to spark some life into the Spurs attack.
However, having Kolo Muani operating as one of the two central No10s in a 3-4-2-1 does not particularly play to his strengths.
Kolo Muani’s hold-up play has left a lot to be desired this season and he is not a player who thrives with the ball in tight spaces.
Given the freedom to run the channels, though, Kolo Muani has caused problems, and he made a real impact drifting off the wing during Spurs’ 2-0 win over Frankfurt last month.
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That game was arguably Kolo Muani’s most complete performance in a Spurs shirt and, while he was initially deployed as a striker, his best moments came when he was in wide areas.
Kolo Muani may not be happy starting out on the wing, but if it gets him into positions where he can stretch the game in behind, Tudor may view it as the most effective way to get him and Solanke on the pitch at the same time.
Tottenham possible XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro/Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke
Tudor goes on the front foot with a back-four
One of the standout things Tudor said in his first address to Spurs supporters was that he wanted his team to start playing with courage again.
Too often this season, Spurs have let the opposition dictate the tempo of the game, just as they did when they were comfortably beaten by Arsenal in November.
Tudor is unlikely to let Spurs be so passive, with his high-pressing, attacking philosophy suited to playing on the front foot.
Spurs supporters will demand a performance against Arsenal, and with a number of injuries to contend with in defence, Tudor may be forced to adapt to a use a four-man defence in order to play to the strengths of the players he has available.
Mathys Tel could be brought back in the from the cold
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In doing so, Tudor would be able to name another attacker in his starting line-up, and he could look to bring Mathys Tel in from the cold after a frustrating period out of the side.
Tel will be eager to make an impact, having started on the bench in each of Spurs’ last four league games.
The 20-year-old brought plenty of attacking threat off the bench as Spurs chased an equaliser against Newcastle, and Tudor could opt to use him off the left wing as he looks to take the game to a wounded Arsenal side.
Given Spurs’ injury issues, Tudor knows he has to be adaptable.
He will curry plenty of favour with the home support on Sunday if he prioritises attack over defence against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Tottenham possible XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro/Gray, Van de Ven, Dragusin, Spence; Gallagher, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Simons, Tel; Solanke
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