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Tottenham projected XI v Burnley: Pochettino will change shape

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Striker-Heung-Min Son

Son didn’t have his best match against City, but before that he was on fire. Pochettino will give him a chance to rediscover his goal scoring touch at Turf Moor.

Playing as a second striker really gives Son the freedom to do the things he does best. He can run at defenders all match long and stretch them by playing off their back shoulder. It’d be nice if he stays onside for the majority of the match, but we may have to live with a few errors on that front.

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As usual, if Son scores a goal then it’s enough to overshadow his defensive liabilities. If he doesn’t, the calculations become a lot more narrow for Pochettino.

Striker-Harry Kane

Kane may be the biggest beneficiary of the change in formation. Too often he’s looked isolated and alone at the tip of the Spurs attack this season. He’s frequently been forced to drop entirely too deep to get a touch or two on the ball.

Giving him a partner should alleviate that stress and increase the service he’ll receive. Son may not be a natural number ten, but he can occupy opposing defenders. That, in and of itself, will create loads of space for Kane to run in.

Kane just needs to let the match come to him in terms of his offensive game. You want him to run his socks off to press the opposition, but sometimes the best thing he can do on offense is pick his spots.

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