Article by Chris DuncanClick here to follow e-Spurs on Twitter for the latest Spurs news and views!
When I heard that we’d signed Roberto Soldado from Valencia, I was absolutely delighted. I was also not the slightest bit concerned about the £26,000,000 we had paid the Spanish side for his services as I knew we had bought ourselves a top quality striker.
It all started so well for Roberto, scoring two goals, albeit penalties, in his first two Premier League games, and a brace against Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League. From there though, it all went rather downhill for Soldado as he managed only four more league goals, along with three more in Europe, a hat-trick against Anzhi Makhachkala. Things did manage to get even worse for the Spaniard towards the end of the season when he lost his place in the starting eleven to Harry Kane, and a rather miserable season for him was capped off when he was listed as one of the Premier League's ten worst signings of the season in various online and printed publications.
Roberto Soldado’s rather below par first season in England has led to rumours that Spurs may be interested in selling the player in the summer, with Atletico Madrid said to be very keen to acquire his services. I hope there is no truth in these rumours as I still genuinely believe that Roberto Soldado will be a success at Tottenham.
The key to getting the best out of Soldado is simple, play to his strengths. Anyone who has seen Roberto play for Getafe and Valencia will know that he is a penalty box striker who feeds of crosses and loose balls. We at Spurs like our football played a certain way, but unfortunately that will not benefit Soldado. It was the same situation with Darren Bent. Some players really struggle when they have to adapt their game to the team, but thrive if the team can adapt their game to theirs. I know it’s a lot to ask, adapting the team’s style of play for one man, but when you shell out £26,000,000 to get that man, surely you want him to be a success. I know I certainly do!
The one thing I am unsure of is what system I think best suits Soldado, as there are both positives and negatives for what I believe would be the two most successful formations.
The first formation I thought of was 4-2-3-1, with Christian Eriksen or Erik Lamela playing in a free role just behind Soldado. Sandro and another would protect the back four with two more attack minded midfielders or wingers supporting Eriksen or Lamela and Soldado. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose would support the attacks, providing width and the all important crosses for Soldado to attack. The main negatives of this system would be the fairly obvious fact that we are only playing one striker, and with the system built around Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor would have to occupy a place on the bench.
The second formation I thought of was 4-3-3, with Soldado up front with two from Andros Townsend, Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Aaron Lennon playing either side of him. The most positive aspect of this formation would undoubtedly be the pace at which we could attack the opposition and the numbers we would have joining in the attack from deep, though this could also become a negative as a too gung ho approach would leave us susceptible to being punished on the break. Another problem I found with this system is that Christian Eriksen would be playing out of position on either the left or right side of a midfield three. Even if he was playing in the centre of the three he would be much deeper than his preferred number ten role. I’m sure there are other systems that we would try to get the best out of our number nine and I sincerely hope that our new manager perseveres with Soldado as selling him would be a big mistake in my opinion.
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his mrs did lose their baby :(
ReplyDeleteConfidence also comes from the manager - now we have a manager that maybe can inspire instead of demotivating
ReplyDeleteHe has as a superb touch - great vision - all that was lacking was motivation
i was listening until you said danny rose
ReplyDeleteSoldado if Pochettino rates him should stay, he worked hard last season and is certain to score more goals than Adebayor given the same amount of game time.
ReplyDeleteI agree give him more game time. Surely there are enough midfielders in the squad to cater to his strengths. That German guy who joined e gooners was given the time to settle and I'm sure they won't leave him out for any games. All we need is another striker to replace Defoe. Let the new signings from last year prove their worth.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a retard to take place of Defoe.
ReplyDeleteI would have 4231 sort of with Sandro and Paulhinio in front of the back 4 with Paulhinio playing box to box but dropping back when yhe full backs push up. and Sandro sitting. A 3 of Lamells on the right, Holtby centre and Eriksen left, with RS up top.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right, but I think Soldado lacks the pace and strength to play as a lone striker here and probably found it difficult to adapt to the premier league. If he had joined at age 24 rather than 28 it could have been different. I would sell now rather than risk a Rebrov scenario. Spurs should look to a powerful pacey striker with Erikson, Lamela and others playing off him imo.
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that if a decent bid is made then we should let him go..He has not convinced. John
ReplyDelete