Tottenham Football Formation

Starting Lineup

SOLANKE (FRANCULINO) · KUDUS (ODOBERT) · EZE (BERGVALL / •KULU•) · SAVINHO (TEL) · PALHINHA (SARR) · BENTANCUR (BERGVALL) · VICARIO (KINSKY) · VDV (DANSO) · ROMERO (•DRAGUSIN•) · SPENCE (UDOGIE/ DAVIES) · PORRO (GREY)

Tottenham aims to play with a high press and quick transitions using a 4-5-1 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch and using the energy of the midfield to squeeze the space. The team seeks to use a vertical style to move the ball from the defensive third to the forward line as fast as possible.

Vicario operates between the posts to sweep behind a high line. The back four features Romero as a dominant center back who wins the header and blocks the runner. Beside him, VDV acts as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back. Porro pushes up as an attacking full back to provide width, while Spence covers the left side. This unit defends zonally to maintain a compact shape and clear the lines when under pressure.

A central three man midfield manages the transition from defense to attack. Palhinha acts as the single pivot to shield the defense and win the second ball. Bentancur connects the lines by receiving on the half-turn and recycling possession. Ahead of them, Savinho, Eze, and Kudus operate in the half spaces to press in a mid-block. Eze and Kudus look to drive forward with the ball to break the line, while Savinho can pull wide to stretch the defense.

Solanke acts as the lone pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender. He works to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker coming from deep. The wide players like Kudus and Savinho cut inside to create numbers in the middle. When Tottenham attacks, the forwards look to play a one-two to find space or deliver early crosses into the box. This movement is designed to create runs in behind the opposition back line.

The main advantages for Tottenham involve the ability to press high in coordinated waves. Having Palhinha and Bentancur allows the team to win the second ball and regain control quickly. The lineup also creates wide overloads when Porro overlaps the winger. This setup makes the team very difficult to play through as the midfield can compress the midfield and force a long ball.

This 4-5-1 formation is built for a high intensity game where winning the ball high is key. It is best suited for facing teams that try to build play from the back and struggle under pressure.