TTLB Opinion: Is Anthony Elanga the ideal fit for Tottenham Hotspur?

The 22-year-old took a while to find his feet after his high-profile departure from Old Trafford, but once he did, there wasn’t any looking back, and this season we have seen him coming into his own at Nottingham Forest, where he has contributed with six goals and nine assists in the league as he leads the charge to their potential Champions League qualification.

Nuno has used him smartly, and we have seen how he is compact in the defence while being one of the first players to get the ball when they are in a transition. This is down to his knack of picking up spaces and stretching out defences.

What can Elanga bring to Tottenham?

Starting with the basics, everyone knows that the 22-year-old possesses excellent speed alongside dribbling skills, which puts him in an advantageous position in most of the 1v1 duels he approaches, given how he has the ability to create space and opportunities for his teammates while beating his marker.

The Swedish international can be used in multiple roles in the offensive line; he could be used in a second striker role as well as an attacking midfielder, which could end up giving the North Londoners some in-game tactical flexibility.

Andy, as mentioned above, Elanga is known for his work rate. He is good not only at pressing the attacking lines but also has a sense of tracking back and helping out his fullback, and this goes well with Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy that has currently been deployed at N17.

And most importantly, he brings goal contributions. He has a knack for finding the right spaces, and that makes him an important asset to have in the squad.

Where can he improve?

You could see him getting hasty at times when he enters the final third, and while it’s exactly what Postecoglou wants from his forwards, the Man United academy graduate will end up taking the wrong option at times. And Ange may have to work with Anthony in helping him make the right decision in any given situation when he comes into the picture in the offensive zones.

Is Elanga the answer?

Anthony Elanga looks like an exciting option to consider for Tottenham, and his direct approach to the game could end up fitting Postecoglou’s playing style, and as noted before, his pace, versatility, and work ethic would align well with the North Londoners needs as they aim for a top-four finish (and potentially compete at the top of the table), and he could end up becoming an integral part of the roster.

That being said, Tottenham wouldn’t be alone in pursuit of his services, and Nottingham Forest would not sell Elanga without a considerable fee given how he (and the team) have performed throughout the season.