Martin Keown: This is how Tottenham should line up against Man City
By Harvey Byrne
Arsenal great Martin Keown believes Tottenham should stick with their 3-4-2-1 formation against Manchester City on Saturday despite injury to Jan Vertonghen.
The 29-year-old centre-back was brought off after 64 minutes in his side’s recent clash against West Brom due to an injury.
It has been reported that he is set for a six week spell on the sidelines, meaning he will miss the north London side’s clash with City this weekend.
The Belgium international made up a strong back three alongside Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier after Mauricio Pochettino made a tactical switch earlier in the month against Chelsea.
Now, Keown believes that Pochettino must continue with his formation change against Pep Guardiola’s side, stating it gets the best out of Danny Rose and Kyle Walker in the wing-back positions.
“With Jan Vertonghen injured,” wrote Keown in his column for the Daily Mail. “We are going to see whether Mauricio Pochettino is playing three at the back as it suits his best XI or because he genuinely believes it will take him forward to win the Premier League.
“He should stick to the system. It is important that Tottenham keep working with this shape as it suits their attacking full backs, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose.
“With Eric Dier doing well on the right of Tottenham’s back three and Gary Cahill playing in Antonio Conte’s system at Chelsea, I wonder if Gareth Southgate is thinking this could be the best way forward for his England team.”
Tottenham have not conceded since switching to a three at the back formation, scoring eight goals and earning three victories.
The north London club are now facing a choice between playing Kevin Wimmer or Ben Davies in the left sided centre-back position against City with Vertonghen’s injury.
The Austria international impressed as a stand in during the last campaign and he will eager to show his talents again with just seven appearances to his name this season.
In other Tottenham news, this Spurs striker has aired his delight on Twitter after agreeing a January move.
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