Ange must ditch Bergvall to unleash Spurs game-changer who’d walk into Ipswich’s team
Tottenham Hotspur entered the season with aspirations of securing a Champions League spot, but injuries to key players have disrupted their progress.
Ange Postecoglou has faced relentless setbacks, with the squad struggling to maintain form, resulting in early exits from domestic cups and a disappointing 12th-place position in the Premier League.
Despite these challenges, recent weeks have brought some positive signs as several players returned from injury, and the team secured a third victory over Manchester United this season.
This afternoon’s clash against Ipswich presents another hurdle, and Postecoglou must ensure his squad builds on their momentum. One strategic move that could tilt the game in Spurs’ favor would be deploying Dejan Kulusevski in his most effective role.
However, making this tactical adjustment would come at the expense of Lucas Bergvall, who would need to be dropped from the starting lineup. Tottenham not only seeks three crucial points but also aims to avenge their loss in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
When Ipswich visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, they arrived without a single league victory, but by full-time, they had changed that narrative.
Sammie Szmodics set the tone with a stunning bicycle kick that nestled in the bottom right corner, and a miscommunication between Guglielmo Vicario and Radu Dragusin gifted Liam Delap an easy second goal. While Dominic Solanke thought he had pulled one back in the second half, his effort was ruled out for offside.
Rodrigo Bentancur eventually found the net, but it was too little, too late. Despite enjoying 66% possession, Tottenham failed to dominate, registering an expected goals figure of 1.55 compared to Ipswich’s 1.66 and recording just two more shots on target than their opponents.
Revenge is on the cards today, and Postecoglou has a chance to set things right by ensuring one of his most influential players starts in his best role.
Tottenham boasts several players who, when performing at their peak, could walk into Kieran McKenna’s starting eleven. Among them, Dejan Kulusevski stands out as one of Spurs’ top performers this season.
The Swedish international, who started on the right flank against United, has delivered solid performances as a winger throughout his Tottenham career. However, his best displays this season have come from a central midfield position, where he has thrived.
Kulusevski’s statistics further reinforce this point. In 40 appearances this season, he has contributed nine goals and ten assists, bringing his total goal involvements to 19.
More importantly, 11 of those have come in just 20 games played in an attacking or central midfield role, averaging a goal involvement every 1.81 matches. To maximize his impact, Postecoglou should position him centrally, allowing James Maddison to play in a more advanced role while Rodrigo Bentancur anchors the midfield.
This tactical shift would necessitate dropping Bergvall, who, despite his potential, cannot match Kulusevski’s ability to influence games from the middle of the park.
Comparing Kulusevski to Ipswich’s attacking talents further emphasizes his superiority. The only real competition he would face in McKenna’s squad comes from Sammie Szmodics and Omari Hutchinson.
However, their combined goal involvements pale in comparison, with Szmodics registering five and Hutchinson managing four this season. Kulusevski, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig has labeled “world-class,” would comfortably outperform both, making him an automatic starter if he were part of the Ipswich squad.
Momentum is crucial for Tottenham at this stage of the season, and securing a win against Ipswich would reinforce their resurgence.
The best way to ensure that outcome is by deploying Kulusevski in a role where he has consistently delivered. With his creativity, work rate, and ability to impact games from midfield, he could be the key to unlocking Ipswich’s defense and leading Spurs to a much-needed victory.
Postecoglou must recognize the advantage of utilizing his most effective players in their strongest positions, and by doing so, he can take a significant step toward rectifying Tottenham’s season.