Kyle Walker Believes Tottenham Can Use Two Strikers
Tottenham have only used a two-striker formation once this season, the rest of the time it’s a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the first five games of Vincent Janssen’s Tottenham career, he has made five appearances but only started one game.
The Dutch striker who signed from AZ Alkmaar for £17 million was brought in to compliment Harry Kane and that’s exactly what his role has been, though mostly coming off of the bench.
Only once has Janssen come into the game as a direct replacement for Kane. The rest of the time they’re playing together until the Englishman gets subbed out late in matches.
Against Crystal Palace, Mauricio Pochettino used a two-striker formation but has kept his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation this season.
The Argentine manager has stated that he would change tactics based on certain match-ups and he has kept his word thus far.
Though for Kyle Walker, he believes that Spurs could use two strikers because Vincent Janssen brings another dimension when both players play together.
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“Harry [Kane] led the line fantastically well last season,” Walker told Sky Sports.
“Obviously Vincent [Janssen] is more of a target man who likes to get his body in there and protect the ball.”
“He brings another dimension to our game and it is something we can use, rather than letting Harry go up there all alone and try and dog it out.”
For the second consecutive season, Kane has started the season off slowly generally starting his scoring spree in late September.
And while he bagged a goal against Stoke City (a tap-in), Kyle Walker has a valid point that Harry Kane shouldn’t lead the line all by himself now.
Vincent Janssen has yet to open his account but having both strikers play up top together would indeed offer more chances for Spurs. In Janssen’s five appearances, he has managed to give Tottenham a boost every time he comes into the game.
Granted, having a fresh player enter late in the second half and running full bore against a tired defense looks misleading, changing things up in the short-term could prove beneficial.
Through four Premier League matches, Spurs have played below their standards.
And while a two-striker formation has been a work in progress, the 22-year-old Dutchman has shown that he can quickly adapt to English football.
Mauricio Pochettino has given Janssen plenty of playing time early on and if Spurs’ matches through the opening two months of football are anything to go by, Tottenham needs more attacking help.
Vincent Janssen isn’t the only solution, the rest of Spurs’ players could step their game up more, but the Dutch striker was signed for a reason.
Ideally, Spurs could try to figure out a way to start games with two strikers. If Janssen can’t start alongside Kane, he has at least done a fine job off of the bench.