Tottenham Hotspur are still looking for their next manager and have seen several targets ruled out of the running in the last week or so.
After missing out on Julian Nagelsmann, Erik ten Hag and Brendan Rodgers, the Daily Mail claim that Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter is now being considered as an option to replace Jose Mourinho in North London.
It is thought that the 45-year-old is high on technical director Steve Hitchen’s wishlist and ultimately, that’s who Daniel Levy will be trusting in this hiring process.
Potter would be a massive gamble for Spurs to take, given the Seagulls looked to be embroiled in a relegation dogfight at one stage this season, but he does play the attractive, attacking football that the chairman is longing for in his next appointment.
But what would the Lilywhites actually look like under him? Football FanCast takes a peek into his potential Spurs XI next season – if he were to be appointed…
Potter has kept Brighton in the division on a tight budget, whilst also playing an eye-catching brand of football. It’s a system that is largely three-at-the-back with wing-backs crucial to overloading the box.
Primarily playing from the back, his combative midfield swallows up possession and looks to contribute at either side of the pitch.
And a high-pressing style draws some similarities to that of Mauricio Pochettino, so arguably he could already have players to fit the system at his disposal.
Goalkeeper: Lloris
Hugo Lloris will be entering the final year of his currently contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer but it would be a surprise to see him depart given he’s the current club captain and there is a need to bolster other areas of the pitch on an already questionable budget.
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Defence: Reguilon, Rodon, Dier, Alderweireld, Doherty
Potter could turn to Sergio Reguilon and Matt Doherty for both his wing-back slots, giving the latter a lifeline after a poor start to his Spurs career. ESPN suggested his future was at risk under Mourinho whilst his very best form at Wolves came in a similar system to that of Brighton’s – the Portuguese often stuck him in a back four.
A new defensive leader was the priority for Spurs this summer under Mourinho, according to football.london, and the Seagulls’ Lewis Dunk was among the names being considered but with Joe Rodon, Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier, Potter may be set until finances vastly improve.
In the Englishman, he has a ball-playing option in the middle, given he was once a holding midfielder. Dier could be Potter’s Ben White in this regard.
Midfield: Hojbjerg, Bissouma
As mentioned, phenomenal work rate is needed in midfield and that’s where things get a little competitive. We’re unlikely to see the likes of Tanguy Ndombele or Giovani Lo Celso feature so much under Potter.
Instead, he could try to bring Yves Bissouma to North London with him, especially as he knows exactly what he’s getting with the Mali beast. Spurs have been linked to the 24-year-old this week and he could cost £30m, as per the Daily Star, which you’d imagine would be the bulk of their transfer budget.
He’d partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle.
Attack: Son, Bale, Kane
If Spurs can keep hold of Harry Kane and retain Gareth Bale for another year, then the attack will speak for itself with Heung-min Son joining the pair to form a very lucrative and exciting front three.
The Welsh superstar is set to return to parent club Real Madrid next month but the Daily Mail believes Levy will offer his next manager the chance to keep him for next season as Spurs do hold the option of a second year.
AND in other news, Daniel Levy could pile more misery on Spurs by hiring 47 y/o PL flop…