Big Ange Faces a Midfield Dilemma Ahead of Tottenham’s Clash with Crystal Palace
As Tottenham Hotspur gears up for their much-anticipated trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, manager Ange Postecoglou is grappling with a significant selection dilemma regarding his midfield lineup. This matchup promises to be an exhilarating encounter in the Premier League, particularly given the contrasting form of both teams.
After suffering a disheartening 3-2 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, Spurs have demonstrated resilience and tenacity, bouncing back with impressive victories over West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar following the international break. Postecoglou will undoubtedly take solace in his team’s spirited response to the Brighton setback. Now, with a midweek European triumph under their belts, he will be eager to maintain this positive momentum as they prepare to face Crystal Palace.
In a bold tactical move, Postecoglou made nine changes to his starting XI for the match against AZ Alkmaar. Among those changes was the inclusion of Rodrigo Bentancur, who stepped in for Yves Bissouma. Bentancur’s journey this season has been somewhat tumultuous; he has found himself in and out of the squad due to a series of unfortunate events, including a severe collision with Abdul Fatawu in Spurs’ season opener against newly promoted Leicester City. This incident forced him to sit out the subsequent league match against Everton due to concussion protocol, casting a shadow over his early-season form.
Before the exhilarating 4-1 victory over West Ham, Bentancur had started the last four league matches for Spurs. However, despite his frequent appearances, he has only managed to complete a full 90 minutes once in that span, which notably came during the sensational 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford. This inconsistency raises questions about his fitness and readiness as Spurs head into this crucial fixture.
Analyzing the midfield hierarchy, Bentancur’s ability to start five league games when fit clearly positions him ahead of Bissouma in Postecoglou’s plans. Yet, after playing the entire European match midweek while Bissouma remained on the sidelines as an unused substitute, the chances of the Mali international getting the nod at Selhurst Park appear considerably higher. Bissouma’s absence from the AZ Alkmaar game means he should be fresh and raring to go come Sunday, providing an intriguing contrast to Bentancur’s recent workload.
While Bentancur possesses notable technical skills, he somewhat lacks the off-the-ball work rate and defensive tenacity that Bissouma brings to the midfield equation. In light of Crystal Palace’s current struggles, which have seen them exude a distinct lack of confidence, having a dedicated ball-winner in the lineup could prove invaluable, especially in away fixtures where defensive solidity is paramount.
Given these factors, it would be prudent for Postecoglou to consider starting Bissouma as a No. 6 in his favored 4-3-3 formation against Oliver Glasner’s side. This strategic decision could provide Tottenham with the necessary balance between attack and defense, enhancing their chances of securing a vital three points on the road. As the clock ticks down to kickoff, all eyes will be on Postecoglou’s final decision regarding the midfield setup, which could very well influence the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.