Tottenham Hotspur have been subject to links with a move for a number nine this summer, and this will be the second successive summer where Daniel Levy has been looking to move for a number nine after the Lilywhites marquee move for Dominic Solanke in the previous summer transfer window. It is considering the fact that the goalscoring burden on the former Cherries striker is quite heavy and the North Londoners need a partner for him to ensure that he is not run into the ground.
While the Lilywhites have been linked with multiple strikers ranging from Viktor Gyokeres to Miguel Merentiel, it is to be seen what sort of player Thomas Frank opts for, and while the links are still flowing in and it seems quite open, the North Londoners have now established links with a move for Jonathan David.
Jonathan David has had links with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the past three transfer windows, and confiding the fact that he is a free agent now means that there is a higher likelihood of him ending up within the corridors of Hotspur Way. And this comes after the fact that the talks between his representatives with Juventus and Napoli have slowed down and Tottenham have made fresh contact to secure his signatures.
With Tottenham in the race to try and attain his signature now, we have to see how he fits into the system at N17 with Thomas Frank in charge of the proceedings at Tottenham, given how the Dane took charge of the proceedings in North London earlier this season.
Before we get into how he would phase into the structure in North London under Thomas Frank, let’s understand a bit about David…
Jonathan David – a brief
Strengths
The Canadian international has excellent movements, given how he is extremely agile in finding space between centre-backs and then making those highly incisive diagonal runs in behind the defensive line. This is where he combines his striker instincts with his intelligent positioning that makes him an elite mover in the box. He also has that clinical capacity with both feet given how he is always composed when facing one-on-one situations. And this helps him thrive when he is playing through the lines or when he is trying to delay his runs in the box.
The 25-year-old also has that clinical ability about him given how he can finish with both feet. He is also quite capable in terms of work rate, given how he is relentless when it comes to out of possession, and this is something that Thomas Frank would absolutely love, given how he is good at pressing with intent and recovering the lost balls.
Weaknesses
He is not as much of an aerial threat in the box, and the Canadian ace ends up struggling when he is facing physically dominant centre-backs (which he will do quite often against most of the Premier League teams). Jonathan David is also more capable when he is running into the ball than holding it up when facing pressure, which could limit his utility, especially in the systems when he will be playing as a lone front man in certain scenarios.
How does Jonathan David fit in at Tottenham under Thomas Frank?
If we are thinking about bringing Jonathan David but from a more tactical point of view, the Dane head coach is likely to take up the 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 hybrid system at N17, where he will build a transitional verticality in his structure. He will also make that dual-striking option at Tottenham and impose compact pressing shapes.
So let’s start with talking about the dual striker system (3-5-2 / 4-4-2 Diamond); this is where the 25-year-old is likely to slot next to Dominic Solanke, which, in a sense, will allow Solanke to play as the physical anchor, dragging defenders wide or deep while David will operate in half-spaces (trying to exploit channels with his sharp diagonal runs). Frank can create a more dynamic rotation pair where the Canadian international drops to combine while the Cherries ace stays advanced.
And this setup will allow David to get the most out of his movements and finishing without requiring him to hold up play consistently (so it doesn’t expose his weaknesses).
Another is playing in a 4-3-3 where David plays more of an inside forward. He will not be your classic wide forward, but he has shown that capacity to start wider (especially on the right) and then cut inside to attack the box. Here he can rotate with Eze or Kudus or Simons (whoever signs for Tottenham) as hybrid 10s and then give you that variation if Frank wants to implement a false nine mid-game.
We have seen how the Dane head coach prefers to play with vertical speed and rotational fluidity, which ends up suiting David, especially given how he thrives on quick ball movement and high-tempo transitions.
Should Tottenham sign Jonathan David or look elsewhere?
I think that Daniel Levy and Thomas Frank should be carefully weighing in the probables around Jonathan David’s transfer given how there are multiple number nine targets in the market. The former Lille ace is available on a free transfer, and given his age (25) and experience, he fits in the club’s age profile and gives you that tactical flexibility across the frontline. Moreover, he also complements Solanke’s style more naturally than Richarlison does (and holds strong resale value, which is quite an appealing trait for Tottenham).
That being said, David is not a natural target man, so if Frank is looking for someone more physical who can play in a similar role as Dominic Solanke, then someone like Viktor Gyokeres might be a better option.
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Author Opinion
If Daniel Levy can end up signing Jonathan David on a free transfer, it might end up being one of the smartest signings of the summer, especially given how Thomas Frank plays and how the incoming head coach can use the Canadian international’s off-ball intelligence and finishing alongside his pressing energy. So unless the North Londoners want to opt for a more physically dominant striker type, David looks like the right choice.