“We have a lot of injured players, so we need to first find the best system that suits the players that are available at this moment, so a very particular moment.”
New Tottenham boss Igor Tudor is acutely aware of what he is walking into.
Spurs are not only battling the drop, but a major absentee crisis too, with 12 players set to be missing for his first game in charge against Arsenal at home on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Sunday 22nd February 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Captain Cristian Romero is suspended, while the other 11 absentees are all injured, so it begs the question of how Tudor will set up his injury-hit side for the north London derby?
The Croatian prefers three-at-the-back, with the stats overwhelmingly proving this during his time in Serie A and Ligue 1.
But with Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin the only recognised centre-backs available at Spurs, Tudor will have to turn to a makeshift centre-half if he is to immediately implement his go-to setup.
Joao Palhinha was the preferred emergency centre-back option for Tudor’s predecessor, Thomas Frank.
The Dane, who was sacked after an eight-game winless league run, predominantly played with a back four, although he experimented with three-at-the-back in the latter stages of his disastrous eight-month tenure.
But Tudor is a specialist in this setup, which could help give Spurs more solidity, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league games.
Sunday’s opponents, however, have a good record when facing a back three.
Since the start of last season, Arsenal have lost only once to a three-at-the-back system in the Premier League, however what will give encouragement to Tudor is the fact that they dropped points on Wednesday at bottom side Wolves, who played 3-4-2-1.
But the Gunners thrashed Spurs when they last met in November, with Frank deploying three at the back.
Tudor’s back-three impact at Juve and Lazio
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Italian football expert James Horncastle explains why Tudor could be the perfect short-term appointment for Spurs
That chastening loss at the Emirates Stadium is part of the club’s current horrific Premier League run, which has seen them win just twice in 17 games.
It has left Spurs 16th in the table and just five points above the relegation zone, landing Tudor yet another firefighting role.
When the ex-Galatasaray boss was parachuted into Juventus and Lazio in recent seasons, he immediately switched to a back three and delivered an upturn in results.
Replacing Maurizio Sarri at Lazio in March 2024, Tudor moved away from the ex-Chelsea head coach’s 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1.
And then a year on, he did the same at Juve, implementing the same formation to replace Thiago Motta’s 4-2-3-1.
“He doesn’t tend to play with too much width to begin with,” Italian football commentator Patrick Kendrick told Sky Sports News.
“It was very successful with Hellas Verona, which was probably where he’s been the biggest success.
“He had a free-scoring team with two number 10s playing behind a lone striker, but the back three is pretty in vogue in Italy, and it’s looked at as a way of making sure you’re solid first and foremost.”
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Italian football expert Patrick Kendrick says Tudor’s preference is to play a back three
Souza eyes first start as Tudor reunites with Kolo Muani
If the 47-year-old adopts the same 3-4-2-1 tactic in his first Spurs game, then it poses plenty of questions.
With full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie injured, could January signing Souza be handed his first start at left wing-back? The Brazilian teenager was brought on in the defeat at Manchester United earlier this month and did not look out of place in his first game in English football.
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Igor Tudor gives his first interview as Tottenham Hotspur head coach. X Credit: @SpursOfficial.
Will Palhinha or Archie Gray be part of the back three? The pair have both played in that position at Spurs, but the Portugal international has featured in that role more often than Gray this season.
Which two midfielders will Tudor select? Palhinha and Gray are also in the conversation to start here, with Conor Gallagher, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr his other options. This is where Tudor has some choices in a threadbare squad.
And will it be Randal Kolo Muani or Mathys Tel alongside Xavi Simons behind Dominic Solanke? Simons and Solanke feel like automatic selections, leaving one spot in the attack. Kolo Muani thrived under Tudor at Juve as he scored six goals in all competitions following his arrival in late March. The pair’s reunion points to Tudor keeping faith with the forward, who is yet to score a Premier League goal.
Tudor: I like to play offensive football
What is 100 per cent certain is that Tudor has to build a system that offers far greater goal threat, with Frank’s pragmatism and negativity playing a major part in his downfall.
And the ex-Marseille boss’s first words will be music to the ears of the disgruntled Spurs fans.
“I like to be positive. I like to play offensive football. That’s my first goal,” he said.
“I like to score goals, but in the same way, you need to give organisation in defence, give the clear structure of what you want to play.”
If Tudor is to have any chance of being in the running to keep the job beyond the end of the season, then entertaining football that pushes Spurs well away from trouble will go a long way in making his case.
“I believe in style – style is more important than the system,” he said. “It’s a very particular moment, so every club has its particularity, that is first as a culture of the club, which kind of football they like so it’s always important to think about that.
“But in the same way, not to forget who I am, what I want the team to achieve, but thinking ‘this player can do this’, so I need to be with my staff, very intelligent, to find the best possible way to get out in a very short time.”
Indeed, Tudor has just 12 Premier League matches to make the desired impact.
He did it in fewer games at Juve and Lazio, qualifying both sides for Europe in his nine games in charge. But this is a different task for the experienced manager at the other end of the table – and one that is going to test his tactical nous.
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European football expert Andy Brassell provides an overview of Igor Tudor’s background
Your views on how Tudor will line-up vs Arsenal…
Alex: Tudor should use a 3-5-2. Have Kolo Muani up top with Solanke. Gray at the back and play Tel to the left. I strongly think Tudor can get the best out of Xavi, Tel and Kolo Muani.
OnlySpurs67: I reckon a 3-4-1-2 with Van de Ven, Spence and Gray at the back. Palhinha, Gallagher, Bissouma and Sarr in midfield, Xavi as the No. 10 and then the strike partnership of Solanke and Kolo Muani.
Spurs fan: I think he should play a 3-4-3 with Spence, Van de Ven and Gray in the defence, with a midfield of Palhinha, Gallagher, Simons and Sarr in midfield, then have Kolo Muani and Tel on the wings and have Solanke up top.
JO8: If Tudor is to stick with the three at the back, it needs to be a 3-4-2-1/3-4-3. GK-Vicario, CBs-Van de Ven, Dragusin, Palhinha; LWB-Souza, RWB-Spence; CMs- Sarr, Gallagher; Two 10s/wingers- Xavi, Kolo Muani; ST-Solanke.
MickyWeavs21: Souza looks exciting and a great young full-back so Tudor should play him and Spence on the flanks. I also reckon Tudor will start Kolo Muani because of his Juventus performances and links. And I absolutely loved Tudor’s first interview at the club, his playing style is intense and fast something the Spurs supporters have been wanting for a long time. He demands no excuses for the players and expects his team to go all in for a win and that’s what I like the most.
David: I don’t think it’s about the formation, it’s more of a case of performance, effort and teamwork having the right mentality. If Igor can improve those things Spurs will move up the table.
Tom: I only know of Tudor through Football Manager! But that first interview was a breath of fresh air that we haven’t seen since Ange. He seems to capture authority and has a sense of gravitas when he speaks. Frank is to us what Potter was to Chelsea.
Didjiemiles: I think Tudor has to show that he has a plan in attack. We’ve looked so clueless going forward and in possession that the only way we have a chance of results is by scoring goals. We certainly can’t rely on keeping clean sheets!
Tottenham’s next six games
Sunday: Arsenal (h), Premier League – kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
March 1: Fulham (a), Premier League – kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
March 5: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League – kick-off 8pm
March 15: Liverpool (a), Premier League – kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
March 17/18: Champions League last 16, first leg (opponent TBC)
March 22: Nott’m Forest (h), Premier League, kick-off 2.15pm, live on Sky Sports