Tottenham Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Tottenham aim to play with a high press and rapid transitions in this 5-2-3 formation. The lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch and using verticality to catch the opposition out of position. By using a back five, the team seeks to control the wide areas while keeping enough bodies in central zones to recycle possession quickly.

Vicario acts as the foundation in goal, often playing a high line to sweep behind the defense. The back line consists of a back three with Danso and Bergvall acting as the central defenders, while Davies operates as the left centre back. Spence and Udogie function as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and pushing high to overlap the wingers. Danso and Bergvall must be dominant in the air and ready to step up to squeeze the space, while Davies covers the space left behind when Udogie pushes forward.

The midfield works as a double pivot consisting of Matar Sarr and Maddison. Matar Sarr acts as the carrier who drives forward with the ball, while Maddison looks to create from deep and connect the defensive and attacking lines. This pair must be disciplined to prevent being bypassed, as they sit in a mid-block when the team does not press high. Maddison often finds pockets of space to play through the lines, helping the team progress through the thirds.

In the attacking third, Tottenham use three attackers to stretch the defence. Tel plays as a pressing centre forward to force a long ball from the opposition, while Son and Johnson act as wide attackers. Son frequently cuts inside from the left to exploit his finishing, whereas Johnson uses his pace to run in behind on the right. This front three works to pin the last defender and create chances through combinations or by getting to the byline for a cross.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Spence and Udogie. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the team can move from a compact defensive block to an attacking wave very quickly. The presence of Matar Sarr and Maddison also allows for numerical superiority in midfield during certain phases of play to control the tempo.

Tottenham rely on a heavy press and quick verticality to unsettle the opposition. This formation is best suited for games against teams that play out from the back and struggle with high intensity.