Tottenham Football Formation
Starting Lineup
G. VICARIO (1) · P. PORRO (23) · C. ROMERO (17) · R. DRAGUSIN (6) · D. UDOGIE (13) · P. SARR (29) · B. JOHNSON (22) · D. KULUSEVSKI (21) · J. MADDISON (10) · HEUNG-MIN SON (7) · D. SOLANKE (19)Tottenham focuses on playing with high intensity and quick verticality through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and hit the opposition in transition with speed. By using a back five, the team can maintain a compact block while providing enough width to stretch the play once the ball is won.
Guglielmo Vicario stays between the posts to organize the defense. The back line consists of a back three with Radu Dragusin, Cristian Romero, and Pape Matar Sarr. Romero is known for his aggressive tackling and ability to win the second ball, while Dragusin and Sarr provide cover. The wide defenders, Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, act as attacking wing backs who push high to provide width. Porro can carry the ball forward into the final third, while Udogie uses his pace to overlap the winger. The unit works to squeeze the space between the lines and secure the area behind the midfield.
The midfield relies on a two-man pairing to connect the defense to the attack. James Maddison operates as a playmaker who looks to play through the lines and find the feet of the striker, while Dejan Kulusevski acts as a carrier to drive the team forward. Maddison looks to create from deep and find pockets of space between the lines. Kulusevski helps to recycle possession and links the defensive unit to the front three. This duo must work hard to press in a mid-block and prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.
Tottenham utilizes three attackers across the front line to create constant pressure. Dominic Solanke acts as a pressing centre-forward who works to pin the last defender and hold up the ball. On the flanks, Heung-min Son plays as an inverted winger who cuts inside to shoot, while Brennan Johnson operates on the opposite side to run in behind. Son is known for his clinical finishing and movement in the box. The attack is designed to create runs in behind and allow the wing backs to overlap the winger to deliver crosses into the box.
One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when Porro and Udogie push high. The team can also achieve a high level of compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it hard for opponents to find space. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the front three can immediately target space when the midfield wins the ball. This allows Tottenham to attack with a high number of players very quickly.
This 5-2-3 formation provides a strong balance between defensive security and attacking width. It is best suited for games where the team needs to exploit space on the counter at pace against a high defensive line.