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Tottenham’s big transfer move signals tactical shift from Pochettino

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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Malcom would shake things up at Tottenham

Tottenham fans are very excited about the prospect of completing a big money move for Malcom this January. If the Brazilian winger does move to North London this summer, it will signal a significant tactical shift from Mauricio Pochettino.

This piece is putting the cart before the horse a bit, but English sources claim Tottenham officials are growing increasingly confident of their ability to clinch a deal with Bordeaux. It’s only natural to give a thought on how Malcom might change things with his potential new club.

It’s clear to see why Tottenham are interested in bringing him aboard. Pochettino’s attack currently can score goals in a variety of ways, but they lack a true speedster out wide. Malcom can walk right into the squad and immediately become the club’s most dangerous winger.

Of course, one of Pochettino’s biggest criticisms during his time at Spurs is his inability to create width in his attack. The club have tried to purchase a few out-and-out wingers during his tenure, but none of them have made a serious impact. None of them had the talent that Malcom would bring, but it’s still a reasonable concern for Spurs fans.

Simple math tells you that purchasing Malcom will switch things up. Pochettino’s current starting lineup seems pretty set. In particular, the Argentine gaffer isn’t going to sit Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli on the bench very often. Fitting all of those attackers has already caused Pochettino to switch from a back five to a back four.

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To fit Malcom in the starting XI Pochettino will need to make some tough choices. Surely, injuries and the need to rotate his squad will take care of the squad having one extra attacker on most match days. If everyone is fit and firing you shouldn’t be surprised to see Pochettino field a more attacking lineup.

He can do that by electing to sit one of his defensive midfielders on the bench. Specifically, Victor Wanyama can flourish as a defensive midfielder charged to cover the back four all alone. Playing one defensive midfielder, instead of two, would give Pochettino the ability to add Malcom to his first choice attacking corps.

Tottenham won’t use this lineup against every opponent, but it will give Pochettino another option when teams try to park the bus against Spurs. Malcom’s pace and trickery can be vital in those type of matches. The ability to play five attackers at once would also help head pressure on the opposition.

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Spurs haven’t signed Malcom yet, but if they do, it’s going to shake things up in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. The talented attacker’s arrival will finally give Pochettino the maximum amount of flexibility when it comes to the Spurs attack.

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