How can former Aston Villa star can rule the midfield at Tottenham Hotspur under Thomas Frank – Opinion

Douglas Luiz was one of the most respected defensive midfielders in the English top tier during his time at Aston Villa, especially given how he used to ping those passes and control games for the Villans. And this is why a lot of big clubs were interested in attaining his signatures.

And despite his underwhelming performances for Juventus, the quality is still there, and this is where Tottenham can come in and secure his signature on a bargain deal. With Thomas Frank taking charge of the proceedings at Tottenham, complemented by the North Londoners preparing to welcome back Champions League football at Tottenham, there is a real need for the Lilywhites to restructure their midfield. And that process can be started with Douglas Luiz, who would also get along well with the mid-block tactical structure that Thomas Frank is expected to implement at N17.

Tactically exploring Douglas Luiz under Thomas Frank

If we look at his time at Brentford, then there was a clear 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 flexible system that Thomas Frank deployed at Gtech Community Stadium, where he would often rely on having a deep-lying controller or defensive midfielder like Christian Norgaard. And while Tottenham couldn’t sign Norgaard, Luiz can be the ideal Norgaard replacement if we think about a more possession-dominant version of Frank’s system.

If we think about slotting Douglas Luiz in the deep-lying playmaker role in a 4-3-3, then Luiz would slot in at the base of midfield, where he would ideally be tasked with linking defence and attack with calmness and control with the ball. And given how he is really good at taking that pressure and playing vertical passes through the lines, it is something that Tottenham missed in the last season from Bissouma. The North Londoners would get a fulcrum presence who is capable of recycling the possession and shielding the back line with positional intelligence.

And if Thomas Frank is going to put through a 3-5-2, then you can play Luiz as one of the two central midfielders. Here you use his ability to progress the ball and control the tempo of the sequences. He suddenly acts as a support to the attack, which makes him the perfect partner for a more box-to-box option like Rodrigo Bentancur or James Maddison (in a slightly deeper role).

Ideally he has that capability to play as a #6, #8 or you can also play him in a double pivot.

What attributes does Douglas Luiz bring to Tottenham?

To start with, he has an abundance of experience playing in the Premier League, with over 150 games under his belt with Villa in the English top tier. Moreover, he has that composure when the team is facing pressure, given how he is one of the better midfielders to play against pressing sides on the continent.

The Brazilian international also brings that much-needed ball-progressing ability, given how we saw him aid Villa in transitions time and again, so he can serve the same purpose at Hotspur Way, especially when he is shifting from defence into attack.

Author Opinion

Douglas Luiz is a smart choice if the Lilywhites are looking to add some sense of control alongside composure in the middle of the park. The Brazilian midfielder is a Champions League-level quality who ticks almost every box that you need in his position. And as mentioned, the former Man City star also brings that Premier League experience alongside his ability to balance between staying put and pinging offensive balls, which makes him ideal to play in a Thomas Frank midfield role.

And given that the Lilywhites are evolving into a more structured and possession-based outfit under Frank, Luiz could be the midfield general who glues everything together. It might not be the most glamorous move, but it could be one of the most effective ones they make all summer.