Opinion: Chelsea outcast could help Tottenham Hotspur unlock ‘Plan B’

To start with, he is not just a striker; to me, he is more of a hybrid attacker given how he can play in the false 9 role or as a second striker. You can also deploy him as a wide 10, and this makes him almost custom-made to feature under Postecoglou, given how he can operate centrally, just off a main striker (like Solanke). Moreover, given how he is quite comfortable drifting into half-spaces, he can combine with the likes of Maddison or Son (and this, in a way, also ends up creating an underlapping or overlapping triangle with Udogie and Son).

The thing is, he is also smart about getting into spaces and these movements that he has break defensive lines in ways that Solanke cannot by dropping deep to overload midfield or bursting beyond the last line with very late runs.

While Solanke is your classic centre-forward profile given how the former Bournemouth striker brings hold-up play to the final third complemented by his aerial presence and ability when it comes to physical duels, Nkunku instead thrives on being more unpredictable. The Frenchman can carry the ball from deep and link seamlessly with Maddison or in wide channels. He also offers more agility and technical flair, which is ideal for getting the better of low blocks.

Why does Nkunku unlock ‘Plan B’ at Hotspur Way?

If I am to get deep down into how Ange Postecoglou plays, he likes to build fluid attacking sequences which catch out the opponents by surprise, and at the moment the current Plan A relies quite heavily on using the strengths of a classic number nine (Solanke), which is supported by the likes of Maddison, Kulusevski, and Son. But when this direct and vertical approach is passing to walls (as we have seen quite often and again against low blocks or elite pressing sides in the last season), Nkunku is being tactically versatile.

He can play as a false nine by dragging the centre-backs out of position while freeing space for runners like Son and Brennan. He is also quite good at making those rational overloads, which may end up allowing Udogie to underlap and create central chaos. And then his quick feet and ability to keep the ball kissed to his feet give Tottenham another creative asset in tight channels.

Nkunku is a type of player who doesn’t just play within the system (or a philosophical framework), but he is instead someone who disrupts the opponent’s system to open new pathways.

Author Opinion: Why Tottenham must move for Nkunku right away…

Christopher Nkunku may be considered as an outcast at Stamford Bridge, but given the current roster at Hotspur Way, he is the exact type of high-ceiling and system-diversifying player that Tottenham needs. And given how he brings a sense of technical brilliance, versatility, and unpredictability to the side, it ends up giving Tottenham a Plan B that Solanke alone cannot provide.

You then pair the physicality of physicality and finishing with Nkunku’s movements; Tottenham can create a two-horse attack that has the capacity to challenge any defence on the continent.