According to Express, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the services of Memphis Depay. The Olympique Lyon winger has been identified as the prime target for the Lilywhites, who are prepared to fork out £50 million in order to attain his services.
With Christian Eriksen reportedly being linked with a move away from north London, it’s probably fair to consider Depay as Tottenham’s desired replacement. But, can he really fill in the shoes of the Danish playmaker?
Style of play
There is a stark difference between these two individuals as far as the style of play is considered. Eriksen is someone who likes to operate centrally and dictate the tempo of the game with his smooth passing and ball distribution. He is blessed with the technical prowess that allows him to combine with fellow attackers and even a execute the one-touch football in the final third.
Not to mention, the Spurs playmaker is extremely useful from set-pieces, with most of his created chances originating either from corners or free-kicks.
Depay, in contrast, is an out and out winger. He is gifted with the sheer pace that makes him a scourge for the defenders on the counter. Moreover, the Dutchman is an excellent dribbler, unlike Eriksen, who is not exactly good when it comes to drifting past defenders.
However, Depay does like to cut in and move into a more central area of the pitch when operating from a wide attacking role. Also, he can create scoring opportunities for his team – making him a well-rounded attacker.
How can he fit into the side?
It is reasonably important to assume the desired role for Depay in the current Tottenham squad. Perhaps the best bet will be to deploy him as the left-winger, with Son-Heung Min on the opposite flank while Dele Alli will feature as a number ten in a 4-2-3-1 setup. These three are all technically gifted and could potentially combine really well in the final third.
Alternatively, Pochettino could utilise Depay in a 4-3-3, with the Dutchman being partnered by Son and Harry Kane. It will mirror Liverpool’s famous free-flowing 4-3-3 setup under Jurgen Klopp, where the three attackers are given complete freedom to roam around the final third.
Furthermore, Depay has played in a number ten role, at times, while he has also featured in a false nine. That means the ex-Manchester United star can be considered as a potential alternative for Alli and a backup for Kane. Hence, he could be an ideal signing for Spurs as they prepare for life without Eriksen.
