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5 things Tottenham learned in their 4-1 over Roma

By Rucker Haringey

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 25: The starting line-up for the Tottenham Hotspurs poses for a team photo prior to the game against A.C. Roma of the International Champions Cup 2018 match at SDCCU Stadium on July 25, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 25: The starting line-up for the Tottenham Hotspurs poses for a team photo prior to the game against A.C. Roma of the International Champions Cup 2018 match at SDCCU Stadium on July 25, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 26: Christian Eriksen of Denmark acknowledges the fans following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 26: Christian Eriksen of Denmark acknowledges the fans following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

3. Eriksen may play deeper

Christian Eriksen didn’t do anything exceptional out on the pitch last night. The US commentators were quite right in their assertion that the talented Dane was taking it easy out there on the pitch. He did show one moment of outstanding quality when he curled a shot off the post, but overall it was a pretty nondescript affair for Eriksen.

What was interesting was his positioning on the pitch. Very rarely did you see him burst into the final third. Instead, he was content to play a deeper role where he tried to pull the strings from the back. That gave players like Lucas and Erik Lamela a lot of room to operate up front.

It’s possible this was a result of him taking it easy, but it’s more likely that Pochettino wants him to try to stay a bit deeper this season. That doesn’t mean Eriksen is going to become a defensive midfielder anytime soon, but he may morph into a Luka Modric type role for Spurs. Eriksen will still be a threat to score goals, but his assist totals may skyrocket.

At the very least, this is something to watch closely in the upcoming matches against Barcelona and AC Milan. We’ll get a clearer picture of just how Eriksen is going to be utilized this season when more first team players become integrated into the squad. The early returns claim he’s going to pull the strings for the Spurs attack in a slightly different way this season.

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